Day of the Dead

by R. Allen Chappell

  “I’m surprised Harley found old man at all: that’s big country up there.”

  “I guess Harley almost didn’t make it in time, and wouldn’t have, if not for a Piute sheep herder and his wife. Harley stopped to ask had they seen Paul as they were getting ready to take their sheep down for the winter. The man was in a hurry but said they had seen him and then told Harley, ‘That old man seems to know what he’s doing.’ He hadn’t thought it right to meddle in something like that.” Thomas nodded to himself. “It was the woman who spoke up and said she knew where he was, and then made her husband go with Harley and show him. She went right along with them and the two of them helped Harley get Paul back down to the truck and started for the hospital. Harley said Paul was pretty much out of it the whole time…didn’t even know who he was, probably thought he was dead already.”

  “Where’s Harley now?”

  “Up at the hospital…hasn’t left since he brought the old man in. Slept right there in the waiting room last night. Lucy was worn out from all the worry these last few days and so were the kids. We finally had to make them go home and get some rest. That was four or five hours ago. I expect they’re back up there by now.”

  Charlie could only shake his head as he ushered Thomas inside and went for another cup and the coffee pot. He’d already eaten but asked Thomas if he could get him something.

  “Nah, I had some doughnuts at the hospital. Billy Red Clay brought them when he came by this morning.”

  “Did everything go all right when you dropped Abe Garza off in Shiprock? Was Bob Freeman there to meet you and all?”

  Thomas didn’t bother to put anything in his coffee before taking a searing swallow. “That’s what I really came to see you about,” he said in a quiet voice. “I wanted to be the one to tell you before anyone else had a chance.” He couldn’t meet Charlie’s gaze and for a moment seemed unable to find the right words to start.

  “What happened?”

  “About half-way into town we had a flat …you know I been looking for a good used tire right along… Anyway, all I had was that old wornout jack that don’t work half the time. I was trying to get it under the bumper when a truck pulled up behind us like they were going to offer some help…a better jack maybe; that’s what I was hoping. I went on with what I was doing but when I glanced up I saw the Garza kid had a funny look on his face. I turned around and there was this big Mexican guy, and I’m looking into a .45 auto. Well, you know I don’t like that Garza kid anyway, and when this other Chollo says he’s going to take him, I just told him, “Be my guest—he don’t mean nothin’ to me, that boy.” Thomas raised both hands palms out. “I didn’t see much else I could do…I didn’t mean to get shot over that little bastard.”

  Charlie didn’t say a word as he refilled his cup, got up from his chair and took his coffee over to the sink. Looking out the window, to the corrals, he smiled to see his son perched on the top rail, feeding the mare a weed he’d picked along the way. Their toddler, Sasha, was reaching up to her brother; clearly thinking she should be up there, too. Charlie sat his cup in the sink and turned back to his friend Thomas. “No, there wasn’t anything you could do…I’d of done the same myself I suppose. What did Bob have to say about it?”

  “Pretty much the same as you, I guess. He said ‘That’s just the way the game goes sometimes.’ He tried to act like it didn’t matter and that they’d catch up to him down at the border…but he didn’t sound so sure of that to me.”

  “Bob’s all right, he tried to do the right thing by Little Abe.” Charlie had his own doubts about the DEA agent getting the boy back—now that Chewy Mariano had him. Chewy was tough, smart and connected. He was a man with ways of getting in and out of Mexico that even Bob couldn’t imagine.

  What might happen to Abe, or even Tressa would now be up to Gato and his uncle in Sonora. It was possible someone might hear what happened eventually, but Charlie somehow doubted even that.

  “You probably haven’t heard yet, but Captain Beyale won’t be coming back to Tribal. My nephew says the man may never be right in his mind again. That’s according to the doctors…something about a brain embolism they can’t do anything about. Billy’s taking it pretty hard, too, like it’s his fault.”

  Charlie hated to hear that. “So who’s taking Beyale’s place? Do they know yet??”

  “Billy says Lieutenant Arviso is in line for the job. If he does get it, Billy might have a shot at his job.” Thomas didn’t really think so. “You know the fuss some of those people put up when Billy made Liaison Officer. Too young, they said.”

  Charlie nodded. “I’ll put in a word for him, again, for whatever that might be worth, but the pushback would be huge even if Arviso is in favor of it.”

  Thomas agreed, and then hesitated before going on. “The other thing Billy told me was that the autopsy report on Robert Ashki came back indicating no foul play. The NMHP is dropping their investigation. They say they can’t find no credible evidence to the contrary.”

  “Is the FBI going along with the Highway Patrol on that?”

  “As far as Billy knows, they probably will. Fred Smith was the one who called, in fact, and let him know about the report.” Thomas hesitated… “No one ever mentioned to me there would even be a report…it must have been ‘privileged’ information, huh?” Thomas shook his head at this but didn’t turn away. “Charlie—John’s my uncle. All that time you been gone… you and Uncle Johnny… he never asked you anything about Robert Ashki and that wreck?”

  Charlie turned a shade darker. “No, not that I recall. What makes you ask?”

  “Oh, nothing really, I guess. Billy mentioned the FBI got the paint analysis back on that off-color sample they took from Ashki’s truck.”

  “Oh, and what did they determine?” Charlie got an empty feeling in the pit of his stomach.

  “They thought it likely could have come from any number of older white Chrysler products.”

  Charlie poured the rest of his coffee down the sink and exhaled with a quiet, “Humph…” He had never mentioned the FBI report to Thomas. Both men were familiar with John Nez’s pickup truck, a beat up white Dodge with any number of scrapes and dents. The two friends locked eyes for a moment, neither saying another word—nor was the conversation ever brought up again.

  Epilogue

  It was over a month later that Charlie received the letter, with no return address, but postmarked Los Angeles, CA.

  Mr. Yazzie,

  Just a note so you will know Abraham and me are still alive and doing ok. We got lucky I guess—El Gato’s uncle died and his nephew said he had bigger things to worry about. Chewy helped us get out of Mexico and here we are starting over. I think his father may have had a hand in all this. I hear old Sancho’s getting better now and has himself a good lawyer. I hope so. He’s probably going to need it.

  P.S. Don’t tell Bob Freeman where we are.

  Tressa

  Charlie read the letter over several times and smiling at the postmark, walked over and put the note through his shredder. Bob Freeman called to tell Charlie the fall of the Espinosa family in Sinaloa had pretty much made his current case a non-starter, at least as far as the Federal Prosecutor was concerned. A new cartel had taken power in Sinaloa State, with newer drugs and smarter people. The DEA would have to start all over…which they would. No one ever thought it would be easy.

  Addendum

  This story hearkens back to a slightly more traditional time on the reservation, and while the places and culture are real, the characters and their names are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

  ~~~~~~

  Though the book is a work of fiction, a concerted effort was made to maintain the accuracy of the culture and characters. There are many scholarly tomes written by anthropologists, ethnologists, and learned laymen regarding the Navajo culture. On the subject of language and spelling, they often do not agree. When no consensus was apparent we have relied
upon “local knowledge.”

  Many changes have come to the Dinè—some of them good, some, not so much. These are the Navajo I remember. I think you may like them.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  R. Allen Chappell is the author of eight novels and a collection of short stories. Growing up in New Mexico he spent a good portion of his life at the edge of the Diné Bikeyah, went to school with the Navajo, and later worked alongside them. He lives in Western Colorado where he continues to pursue a lifelong interest in the prehistory of the Four Corners region and its people and still spends a good bit of his time there.

  For the curious, the author’s random thoughts on each of his books are listed below in the order of their release.

  Navajo Autumn

  It was not my original intent to write a series, but this first book was so well received, and with many readers asking for another, I felt compelled to write a sequel—after that there was no turning back. I’m sure I made every mistake a writer can possibly make in a first novel, but I had the advantage of a dedicated little group of detractors, quick to point out its many deficiencies…and I thank them. Without their help, this first book would doubtless have languished, and eventually fallen into the morass—and there would be no series.

  I did do one thing right, apparently—the Navajo Nation Mystery series was the first in its category to include a glossary of Navajo words and terms and each book since then has had one.

  This book has, over the years, been through many editions and updates. I know, now, how to make it a better book and someday I might. But for now, I will leave it as is. No book is perfect, and this one keeps me grounded.

  Boy Made of Dawn

  A sequel I very much enjoyed writing and one that drew many new fans to the series. So many, in fact, I quit my day job to pursue writing these stories full-time—not a course I would ordinarily recommend to an author new to the process. In this instance, however, it proved to be the right move. As I learn, I endeavor to make each new book a little better…and to keep their prices low enough that people like me can afford to read them. That’s important.

  Ancient Blood

  The third book in the series and the initial flight into the realm of the Southwestern archaeology I’ve grown up with. This book introduces Harley Ponyboy: a character who quickly carved out a major niche for himself in the stories that followed. Harley remains the favorite of reservation readers to this day. Also debuting in this novel was Professor George Armstrong Custer, noted archaeologist and Charlie Yazzie’s professor at UNM. George, too, has a pivotal role in some of the later books.

  Mojado

  This book was a departure in cover art, subject matter, and the move to thriller status. A fictional story built around a local tale heard in Mexico years ago. In the first three months following its release, this book sold more copies, and faster, than any of the previous books. It’s still a favorite.

  Magpie Speaks

  A mystery/thriller that goes back to the beginning of the series and exposes the past of several major characters—some of whom play pivotal roles in later books—another favorite of Navajo friends who follow these stories.

  Wolves of Winter

  As our readership attained a solid position in the genre, I determined to tell the story I had, for many years, envisioned. I am pleased with this book’s success on several levels, and in very different genres. I hope one day to revisit this story in one form or another.

  The Bible Seller

  Yet another cultural departure for the series in which Harley Ponyboy again wrests away the starring role. A story of attraction and deceit told against a backdrop of wanton murder and reservation intrigue. It has fulfilled its promise to become yet another Canyonlands favorite.

  From the Author

  Readers may be pleased to know they can preview selected audio books for the Navajo Nation Series on our book pages. Our Audio books can be found featured in public libraries, on Audible, and in many retail outlets. There are more to come. Kaipo Schwab, an accomplished actor and storyteller, narrates the first five audio books. I am pleased Kaipo felt these books worthy of his considerable talent. I hope you enjoy these reservation adventures as much as we enjoy bringing them to you.

  See all our books at:

  https://www.amazon.com/R-Allen-Chappell/e/B00AVYI0RA/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

  The author calls Western Colorado home, where he continues to pursue a lifelong interest in the prehistory of the Four Corners region and its people. We remain available to answer questions, and welcome your comments at: rachappell@yahoo.com

  If you’ve enjoyed this book, please consider going to its Amazon book page to leave a short review. It takes only a moment and would be most appreciated.

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C64VK3L/

  Glossary

  1. Adááníí — undesirable, alcoholic

  2. Acheii — Grandfather *

  3. Ashki Ana’dlohi — Laughing boy

  4. A-hah-la’nih — affectionate greeting*

  5. Billigaana — white people

  6. Ch’ihónit’t — a spirit path flaw in art.

  7. Chindi — (or chinde) Spirit of the dead *

  8. Diné — Navajo people

  9. Diné Bikeyah — Navajo country

  10. Diyin dine’é —Holy people

  11. Hataalii — Shaman (Singer)*

  12. Hastiin — (Hosteen) Man or Mr. *

  13. Hogan — (Hoogahn) dwelling or house

  14. Hozo — To walk in beauty *

  15. Ma’iitsoh — Wolf

  16. Shimásáni — grandmother

  17. Shizhé’é — Father *

  18. Tsé Bii’ Ndzisgaii — Monument Valley

  19. Yaa’ eh t’eeh — Greeting; Hello

  20. Yeenaaldiooshii — Skinwalker; witch*

  21. Yóó’a’hááskahh —One who is lost

  *See Notes

  Notes

  1. Acheii — Grandfather. There are several words for Grandfather depending on how formal the intent and the gender of the speaker.

  2. Aa’a’ii — Long known as a trickster or “thief of little things.” It is thought Magpie can speak and sometimes brings messages from the beyond.

  4. A-hah-la’nih — A greeting: affectionate version of Yaa’ eh t’eeh, generally only used among family and close friends.

  7. Chindi — When a person dies inside a hogan, it is said that his chindi or spirit remains there forever, causing the hogan to be abandoned. Chindi are not considered benevolent entities. For the traditional Navajo, just speaking a dead person’s name may call up his chindi and cause harm to the speaker or others.

  11. Hataalii — Generally known as a “Singer” among the Diné, these men are considered “Holy Men” and have apprenticed to older practitioners sometimes for many years—to learn the ceremonies. They make the sand paintings that are an integral part of the healing and know the many songs that must be sung in the correct order.

  11. Hastiin — The literal translation is “man” but is often considered the word for “Mr.” as well. “Hosteen” is the usual version Anglos use.

  14. Hozo — For the Navajo, “hozo” (sometimes hozoji) is a general state of well-being, both physical and spiritual, that indicates a certain “state of grace,” which is referred to as “walking in beauty.” Illness or depression is the usual cause of “loss of hozo,” which may put one out of sync with the people as a whole. There are ceremonies to restore hozo and return the ailing person to a oneness with the people.

  15. Ma’iitsoh — The Navajo Wolf is yet another reference to one of the many forms a witch can take, something like a werewolf in this instance.

  18. Shizhé’é — (or Shih-chai) There are several words for “Father,” depending on the degree of formality intended and sometimes even the gender of the speaker.

  20. Yeenaaldiooshii — These witches, as they are often referred to, are the chief source of evil or fear in traditional Navajo superstitions. They are thought to b
e capable of many unnatural acts, such as flying or turning themselves into werewolves and other ethereal creatures; hence the term Skinwalkers, referring to their ability to change forms or skins.