Mana in the Modern World non illustrated version (9 page)

“Will do Jack, maybe I can take off too. Show
you the town, the canal boat rides are great. Especially in the
late evening.” “Deal,” says Jack, “We can fly over for a weekend.
Take too long to drive, especially as I need to check out Susie Q
anyway, she’s my Seabee. Got an email the other day from Jim, my
aircraft mechanic, saying she is ready to go.”

“OMG Jack! You have a plane? You rich or
something?” “Well; yes; I do have a dime or two. I almost bought a
small helicopter but then I saw the Seabee and immediately fell in
love with her. She seemed to call out her name, Susie Q, to me.
Susie is a 1947 Seabee and is a small 4 person pusher type. She’s
also an amphibian, so can land on water although I have only landed
her on lakes so far.

Haven’t tried her on the ocean or gulf as
yet. I’m not sure I want to chance the waves. May try tho once I
find the right instructor. It can be right tricky landing or taking
off, especially in larger waves. She has certainly come in rather
useful on occasion. I had her modified with a larger engine and
fuel tank which increased speed to about 175 mph and range to
almost 700 miles. I even upgraded her avionics and sound proofing
so she’s a lot quieter than the original design.” Pulling out his
wallet he continues, “This is her picture, you may have noticed a
larger picture of her on the wall at my place.”

***

Pic here of the aircraft

***

She’s a real dream to fly too, ….say …wanna
learn?”

Two weekends later Anna is showing Jack the
town of San Antonio and the Alamo. Jack is a bit disappointed with
the Alamo, “Nothing like the one in the movies.” sighs Jack. “But
your friends made excellent models, especially some of the costumes
they had! Especially that guy with the Yosemite Sam mustache, old
hat, duster and twin long barrels pistols! Now; how about that boat
ride before we head back?” Anna’s cell phone rings with the Walker,
Texas Ranger theme song. “Uh Oh, that will be the Captain. I’m
afraid my weekend is probably over,” Anna remarks with a sigh.

After listening for a bit she says, “Sir, I
am with Jack and he may be useful on this as he has some profiler
experience. Plus we are in Susie Q, his small airplane, and can get
there quickly. Yes sir, a moment while I ask him. Jack; the Captain
says I am the closest available Ranger to oversee a crime scene
where a bizarre body was found west of here in the Seminole Canyon
State Park. I have been directed to head for Comstock, TX and take
charge of the scene. Want to tag along?”

“Sure, bizarre always sounds interesting.
There should be a several small airfields or a lake somewhere near
there. I can find out at the airport the best one for us to use and
should easily be there before dark. Ask the Captain to alleviate
any problems and have a car meet us if we cannot get a rental once
I know where we can land,” Jack quickly replies. “So; let’s grab
our stuff and hit the airways.” Anna says “Captain, we will fly
there in Jack’s plane, please tell them to hold the scene for our
arrival. It should not take long for us to get there. Jack said we
will shortly inform you where we will be landing so you can arrange
transportation for our use if needed.”

Once they reached the general area it was
easy to find the crime scene; just follow the State Trooper and
Sheriff cars! Jack parked in a parking lot almost full with all
kinds of cop cars, including one from Mexico! Pointing up the hill
Jack says, “Looks like a line of ants heading to a picnic!”

Sighing and shaking her head Anna heads up
the clear trail of trampled undergrowth through the woods about 300
yards to a small clearing. Arriving at the scene she observes a
mummy like figure arched as if screaming. Anna, had seen her share
of bodies but one is causing her stomach to want to hurdle. A
forensic team are at the body but the officers continue to come
over for a look-see.

There are at least three different agencies
and 20 or so cops just wandering about and in their shoes! O lord,
some smoking and tossing their butts all over! Anna stands tall,
holding out her Ranger badge and shouts, “All you stop walking
through the crime scene, take off your shoes leaving them where you
are. And for crying out loud put the cancer sticks out and the
butts in your pocket! All but the techs leave and wait by your
cars, …
NOW
!”

A couple actually start to walk across the
scene anyway so she shouts,
“AROUND THE SCENE, NOT THRU IT!”
“Thanks Ranger, we tried to get them to stay away but no one
listened,” said one forensic tech. Pointing to a gas can containing
aviation fuel he continued, “Looks like someone interrupted the
murderer before he could set the body on fire. Waiting on the
coroner so we went ahead and printed the can but the guy must have
wiped it clean or wore gloves.”

Jack says, “The body looks a bit like a dried
out rice husk but all dressed up.” The coroner walked up having
just left a three car pileup where one had gone over a 30 foot
cliff. He looks very tired. Checking the body he finds a wallet
which he hands to Anna.

“Jane Winters and with a recently renewed New
Mexico drivers license,” reads Anna. Taking out her phone she
notified the Captain who said he will contact the FBI as state
lines appear to have been crossed. He told her she is in charge
until the FBI arrive and to secure the scene with at least two cops
per shift to stay with, but out of, the scene. With an evil grin
she knows just where to get the officers needed. Shoes checked by
the techs she assigns the luckless owners to night duty in three
shifts of three per shift with one roaming the outer edges and
several on standby for tomorrow.

Jack arranged for rooms at a nearby motel for
the FBI team expected that evening and two rooms for Anna and
himself. Jack has decided it is time that he tells Anna about the
strange stone and what has been happening since he found it. He
does so over dessert at supper.

Anna was a bit upset with Jack for
withholding information but soon was enthralled with his
explanation about the stone. She studied the stone and looked
closely at the symbols with the small magnifying glass he always
carried. After looking she decided to touch the large symbol and
felt its soothing effects.

He warns her again about what happened when
he touched the tiny mark. Deciding to risk it she then touches her
finger to the small one and screams at the pain. Jack quickly grabs
her hand and touches her finger to the large symbol again which
immediately stops the pain. Not only inducing a strange peaceful
calm in her but oddly enough..... to both.

She gasps, breathing fast, as she looks at
her finger and then up at Jack. “OMG! Jack, you’re glowing!” “So
are you Anna,” Jack says in a whisper while looking around to see
if anyone notices. No one appears to notice they are dimly glowing
tho several, probably due to her startled outcry, are looking their
way.

Faintly they begin to have the feeling that,
tho not physically touching, a slight sense of connection, of
actually being in physical contact. Then they again touch fingers
and, ………O, it is if they are sharing mind, body and soul……… “Oh my
goodness.” They say together and kiss lightly.

The feeling intensifies and makes Anna feel a
bit edgy so she pulls back. “I think we better go to our rooms and
get some sleep Jack,” Anna says quietly as she rises from her chair
and steps back. “Yeah Anna, we have lots to think about, this has
been an interesting and very full day,” a red faced Jack
mutters.

The FBI team flew in late that night. Jack
and Anna are having breakfast when the team comes in to eat before
going to the crime scene. Seeing Jack one hollers out, “Hi Jack!”
Looking over, Jack shakes his head, “Are you ever going to get
tired of that lame joke Fred?” “Probably not for awhile yet Jack.
Your stomach wound still hurting n making you all grumpy? And I saw
you haven’t gotten around to mounting that pair of machine guns to
Susie’s nose. She would probably like that! Shake, rattle and roll
her old bones!”

“No, not so much pain in awhile now Fred. And
Susie Q now has the quick mounts and circuitry installed out of
sight but I decided it best not to display her full hardware. Might
make some people a bit nervous. But, if you want to see how they
work, how about you head out into the gulf and I use your boat for
target practice? Oh; and my breakfast companion here is Texas
Ranger Anna Stone. Anna, this would be comedian is very Special FBI
Agent Fred McBride and he will have to introduce the others.” ‘O
yeah Anna, this guy is definitely worth a closer look,’ thinks
Anna.

Introductions over and moving several tables
together Anna and Jack begin filling them in on what little they
know so far. Another couple nearby overhear what is being discussed
and, picking up their breakfast, move to a table further away and
out of ear shot.

Fred comments, “Before heading out I checked
our records and discovered that there are two similar reports but
of very badly burned, almost cremated, bodies and positioned
somewhat like the photo of the one here. However, as both were
discovered in Washington state, they are out of our jurisdiction,
guess that may change now. Another strange thing is that the
forensics techs were unable find any DNA, even from the bone
marrow. They said it is like the pure essence of the victim was
drawn out leaving an empty hull. Hopefully we can get some here.
There are also rumors about burned bodies in Mexico but those are
thought to be the work of drug cartels.”

Anna says, “Wait until you boys see the body
and you might wish you had eaten a lighter breakfast. It looks
something like an Egypt mummy but in modern clothes and still
retains its skin coloration. Jack says it reminds him of a dried
out rice husk. Anyway, the gas can of aviation fuel may point to
all those burned bodies being connected. Jack said aviation gas
burns hotter. You may have a serial on your hands.”

Heading for the door to head out to the scene
Fred looks back and says to Anna, “Hey Anna, I guess Jack must have
flown you here in his antiqued plane. Watch out if he offers to fly
you around much in that old bird, he calls her his chick magnet!”
“Fred you keep that up about Susie Q and there will be no more free
rides for your lady friends.” Then, wiggling a finger at Fred, he
continues, “And one day she just might decide to do a roll and dump
your butt out too!” Jack states.

“Jack, they did not appear to notice we glow.
Wonder why?” whispers Anna. “Yeah I wonder too.”

After settling in from the semi-vacation’s
excitement Jack has a great night’s sleep with exquisite dreams of
Anna. After a lite breakfast he decides it is time to check his
emails and among them is a disquieting email from his Smithsonian
contact.

Email:

Hello again Jack

When you and Ranger Stone have time I feel it
very important that the two of you come to visit me at the
Smithsonian. It is very important that you both come up as soon as
possible. I need to explain some information about your spirit
photos and some things that are happening to you, Anna and to the
world. It is better face to face so to strictly limit, for now, who
has the information.

Hiy-u

Jack thinks ‘O dear, Anna is gonna have a
conniption over this one!’ Sighing deeply Jack says to himself,
“OK, do I tell her now or wait a few days? Time to stop
procrastinating Jack and check the San Antonio and Alamo pictures.”
Grabbing the camera and cards he heads off to check. ‘Wow Jack, you
sure shot plenty of pictures,’ he thinks. “Hum, some of these I
should have used a different flash and tried no flash with others.”
Grinning, “Maybe a little bit distracted Jack?”

‘Whoa… go back there Jack, did you see what I
think you saw?’ On the screen is a picture of a bare section of the
Alamo wall. Jack zoomed in and there, sticking out of the wall, was
a transparent arm and hand holding what looked like a flintlock
rifle.

***

Pic here of the ghostly flintlock and
hand.

***

“OK, who do I call on this one? Texas, Alamo,
Anna of course ….so much for procrastinating Jack.” Grabbing the
phone he speed dials Anna. Answering Anna says, “Missing me already
Jack?” “Interesting times Anna, interesting times, can you come
over when you finish your shift? Things just got ….interesting
again.” “O Jack, not again.” “I don’t think we should talk about
some things over the phone Anna.” “Oh, OK, I should be there about
7 and will pick up some Chinese and hot journey bread.”

“OK first off I want you to look at a picture
from our Alamo trip and tell me what you think. Then I have a
strange email for you to read,” says Jack. “Good Lord Jack, what is
going on?” Anna says as she views the Alamo flintlock picture.
“This is really starting to make me nervous.”

“Ah, but wait till you read the email!”
states Jack. “Wait with that until I call the Captain and brief him
about this Alamo picture,” says Anna as she picks up her phone.
“OK, the Captain is sending people to check out that section of
wall with a portable x-ray,” said Anna to Jack as she hangs up.
“OK, I think I am ready for the email.”

After reading the email, and much discussion,
Jack decides he will go to DC whether she goes or not. “No Jack, I
think we both need to check this out. I have another week of
vacation left and am sure the Captain will OK it, especially after
that bizarre body thing and now this Alamo picture.” “Great Anna, I
will foot all the bills. Just let me know when so I can reserve
first class plane tickets and two adjoining rooms. That’s a bit too
far for Susie Q. Maybe we can get some answers up there.”