DirtyDog, you must submit this for publication. It's fabulous. It held me absolutely riveted. Can't wait to see what you've got coming in the next installment. Just one teeny tiny quibble ... are you sure that Coronado's route went through the Cabeza Prieta? I don't know that it didn't ... but my recollection (possibly faulty) is that they were farther east, almost to the New Mexico line. Another thought ... you could incorporate the Boboquivari Mountains into the story somehow. It would be a good fit with the supernatural aspect ... they're the sacred mountains of the Tohono O'odham people (used to be called Papago), and they're seriously spooky.
A different range. The Superstitions are up by Phoenix, the Baboquivaris down toward the border. The Superstitions are spooky, too. Either would work in your story, but the Baboquivaris are not as well-known, and more mysterious. They be ghosts up in those rocky peaks. The Tohono O'odham don't like anybody fooling around up there.
Satan is a woman, eh? hahahahahahah I'm glad the food was muy caliente ... it's the best kind .. lol This is a wonderful tale, DirtyDog. Your best. I still think you should send it out somewhere.