“But there are hundreds of people there,” Tyson said.
“But only one looking her way. Watch it from the beginning,” Cosmo said before playing it back though from the beginning. He also zoomed in so the focus was at the top left corner of the video. “Watch as he comes into frame. He’s already looking at her. Even as he rounds the monument he doesn’t take his eyes off her. His positioning when she gets worried would place him somewhere about here.” Cosmo stabbed just off to the right of the screen.
Jack placed a hand on the table and leaned in to get a closer look as Cosmo backed up and zoomed in on the man’s face. It was grainy but clear enough that if he saw the guy again he might recognize him. “There are video cameras out front in the Plaza that may show if he followed her. Can you access them?”
Cosmo laughed. “Can I access them?” His eyes darted between Jack and Tyson. “They don’t call me Cosmo for nothing. I’m everywhere. Yeah, I can get you footage of that. I’ll pull the date of this off from the meta and see what I can get. I’ll need some extra time. Two days tops.”
“I need it by tomorrow,” Jack said
Cosmo stared back. “Then that’s going to cost you.”
“How much?”
Cosmo fidgeted in his chair. “Two grand.”
Jack fished into his bag and thumbed off what he asked for and dumped it in front of him. “Tomorrow.”
“You got yourself a deal.”
“In the meantime, give me a printout of that guy.”
Cosmo tapped a few keys and got up and hobbled over to the printer. “Whatever your lady friend has got tied up in, you might want to reconsider getting involved,” Cosmo said waiting for the printer to kick out the zoomed-in mug shot.
“Why?” Jack asked.
He pulled out the photo, held it up and tapped the tie.
“That bolo tie features a Toho Kachina doll. It’s not a good sign.”
Tyson laughed. “Oh Cosmo, you’re nearly as bad as my mother.”
“It’s no laughing matter. After I get this footage for you I’m done. That’s it.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Tyson said, laughing and slapping him on the back. Cosmo didn’t look amused as he returned to his seat and took a hard pull on his blunt. Jack noticed his hands were shaking.
They gathered together what he had, and took the tablet back and said they would return in the morning for the footage. As they descended the steps outside, Tyson was still chuckling to himself.
“What is the Toho Kachina?” Jack asked Tyson.
“Oh don’t listen to him. It’s just Pueblo mumbo jumbo.”
“Tyson.”
He groaned as they headed for home. “A kachina is supposed to be a supernatural being. A spirit. There are like 500 of these spirits. The Pueblo culture has rituals that are practiced by the Hopi, Zuni, and other tribes. Some of the members of their communities will dress up in masks at these ceremonies. There can be kachinas for the sun, stars, thunderstorms, insects, and all manner of things. They aren’t worshipped but they are viewed as powerful beings that will bestow power on those who respect them. Anyway, you often see these colorful dolls sold in the marketplaces and stores around Santa Fe. It’s a sham. They are supposed to be an immortal being that brings rain, controls other aspects of the world and society and acts like a messenger between the here and the beyond. It’s all religious mumbo jumbo.”
“And the toho?”
“To the Pueblo people, the toho is a hunter kachina. It’s meant to steady the hunter and protect his territory. Cosmo believes in all of that kind of stuff. He’s a bit superstitious. Look, don’t worry about it. I’m sure we’ll find out there’s a good reason why this guy was there. In the meantime I’ll hand these photos of your gal around to a few guys and get them to put the word out on the street that you’re looking for her. Then, you and I… we need to get you ready for this evening. This fight is going to be off the hook. Make it through this and the sky is the limit, Jack.”
He nodded, and smiled. Fighting mattered very little to Jack. It was as easy as breathing to him. A daily occurrence when he was younger, and a requirement as he got older.
Chapter 14
The underground fight was set to take place in an eighteen-wheeler parked in a turnout on the west side of Santa Fe. Tyson had prepped Jack on what to expect. A large number of people. Alcohol. Music. Potential scouts, and those who might lash out if he acted smug about winning. “Whatever you do, don’t look at his corner after.” He seemed more nervous than Jack and he wasn’t fighting. “Are you sure you wanna do this?”
Jack nodded in the back of the cab on the ride out to the remote location just off Hyde Park Road. It really was the perfect spot. Most vehicles parked inside the woodland while the 18-wheeler was stationed off the road like many long distance truckers who stopped for the night or to catch a few hours’ sleep before continuing on.
“You got the money?” Tyson asked. Jack fished out a few hundred and handed it to him. “Now remember, if this goes well, Pope will want to set up another fight almost immediately. The numbers will go up. If
