by Aimée
“You heard your shimasání, daughter,” Ella said firmly. “Now, eat your food while it’s warm.”
About twenty minutes later, while sipping the last of her iced tea with her family, Ella’s cell phone rang. Seeing it was from Clifford, she excused herself and answered the call in the living room.
Ella spoke to her brother quickly and, in hushed tones, agreed to meet him at his home in a few minutes rather than talk over the phone. Though she hated to leave the family dinner early, she took her plate and utensils to the sink and said good-bye, giving Dawn’s shoulder a quick squeeze.
Five minutes later, she was in her pickup driving west to Clifford’s home. The drive was short and as she pulled up, she saw him attaching a windshield wiper blade to his pickup on the passenger side. He waved, then walked over to meet her.
“Hey, brother, how’s your family doing up at the sheep camp?” Ella greeted.
“My son’s a much better camper than my wife. She’s supposed to be a Traditionalist, but she’s lost without her gas stove. Cooking in a Dutch oven over an outdoor grill makes her nervous. She’s too much of a perfectionist these days.”
Ella smiled. She and Loretta had never gotten along. Though Loretta had turned out to be the perfect wife for her brother and a good mother to Julian, Ella felt no sympathy for her sister-in-law, who had a tendency to act superior at times.
“How is your son’s hataalii training going these days?” Ella asked. Though only sixteen, Julian continued to express an interest in continuing his father’s work.
“He’s just now realizing how much time and work it’s going to take to become a Singer. He also knows that in today’s world, he’s going to need a second job if he wants to be able to provide for a family. Not many Navajos are still following the Way. That means learning a trade or attending college, and probably leaving the reservation for some time at least. You walked the same path, sister.”
“True, but your kid’s more grounded than I was at his age. He knows what he wants. My primary goal back then was to get away from what I didn’t want.”
“Or thought you didn’t want,” he said. “Now, here you are, doing some of the tribe’s most valuable work. I’m glad you came back when you did. The People needed you.”
“Police work is never-ending,” she said with a nod. “Did word reach you up at the sheep camp about my friend’s murder?”
“Yes and I got your messages, too. The minute you mentioned where you’d found your friend’s body, I knew why you needed to talk to me.”
“So you’ve also heard stories about evil ones in that area? Is there any truth to those rumors?” Ella said, careful not to voice words like “skinwalkers” and “Navajo witches.” Although Clifford was one of the most powerful Singers on the Navajo Nation, he still regarded them as highly dangerous and avoided doing anything that might call them to him.
“What kind of signs have you found?” Clifford asked.
Ella described the removal of Harry’s fingertips, the backward footprints, the dead crow, and, lastly, the charcoal drypainting Truman John and his girlfriend claimed to have seen.
“Those backward steps aren’t inconsistent with what I’ve seen or heard regarding their trickery. They want to generate confusion. As for the rest, that’s certainly part of their MO, if you will. Do you have any suspects?”
“Two individuals tried to set fire to my department SUV, but there’s no way I can link either to the evil ones. I’ve spoken to the area residents, too, but if anyone has actually seen the one or ones responsible, they aren’t talking. What I can tell you is that most of the people our officers have interviewed so far are really frightened.”
“You and your team need to carry protection at all times.” He glanced down at the medicine bag Ella had fastened to her belt. “If you need more of those, let me know.”
“I will, and thanks,” she said. “There’s another way you can help. I need a list of suspects, people you think might have been drawn to this evil. Word always gets around, even if it’s only spoken in whispers, and people do talk to you about things like that.”
“All right. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks,” Ella said. “Will you be staying for a while, or are you going back up to join your family?”
“Looks like I’ll be sticking around for a few more days. I’ve had several calls from patients, and with this new danger, there’ll be others who’ll need me. I’ll give you a call before I leave again.”
“Good, I appreciate that. If I come across any more physical evidence like ritual items or ceremonial sites, would you be willing to come take a look for yourself? I’d like you to verify that it’s legitimate and not just someone out to scare people.”
“If I can, I’ll come,” he said. “Just be careful when you handle any artifacts. Keep your protection with you at all times.”
“Okay. I’ll be in touch,” Ella said, and walked to her truck.
“Stay safe,” Clifford called.
“You, too,” she said, and waved.
As she climbed into the vehicle, she saw that Clifford had already disappeared into his medicine hogan. Though their careers were worlds—and centuries—apart, they were both Navajos who believed in the Diné. They still joined forces whenever necessary to protect their families and the tribe. She’d never have a more dependable or stronger ally than Clifford, especially when things got tough.
Seeing a cottontail dart out in front of her on the road, Ella slammed on the brakes. As she came to a stop, successfully avoiding the animal, she heard something tumbling in the bed of her truck. She looked back through the rear cab window, but didn’t see a thing. Curious, she unfastened her seat belt, deciding to take a closer look. Normally, unless she was hauling hay, there was nothing back there.
Ella walked to the tailgate, wondering if something had come loose. A second later, she saw a white object several inches long resting on the truck bed close to the cab.
Rather than climb in, Ella went around to reach in. The second she picked it up, she realized what it was. The bleached-out animal jawbone still held a tooth—a canine. Scratched into the bone were two crude letters—“CE,” her initials—written backward. There was something on the bone, too. She looked down at her hand. What she’d thought was sand was too finely ground. It was bits of gray ash.
The implied threat was clear. Cars and trucks could be witched. The skinwalker had meant for her to have a fatal accident.
Yet that didn’t bother her nearly so much as the knowledge that her truck had been parked at home when this … thing … had been added to it.
Nothing had been sliding back there, or rolling around when she’d left the station. At Clifford’s, both she and her brother had been in full view of her pickup the entire time.
Anger swelled inside her. The skinwalker had wanted her to know that she wasn’t out of his reach, no matter where she was.
She tried to calm down and clear her thoughts. Although he’d hoped to scare her, what he’d actually done was really piss her off. The skinwalker probably didn’t realize it yet, but he’d made a big mistake—and a bad enemy. By coming to her home, he’d made it personal. She wouldn’t rest until the slimeball was behind bars.
Ella placed the jawbone into a school-lunch-sized paper bag. She always kept a few of these around to collect and contain evidence. Being on call virtually 24/7 meant that sometimes she’d arrive at a crime scene in her personal vehicle.
Ella headed to the station next and called Justine on the way, giving her a quick rundown. When she walked through the doors a short time later, Ella saw Justine waiting for her in the hall, Big Ed a few feet behind her. Like everyone else, he was working late today—no surprise, considering the publicity the murder had generated in the community.
“You told him?” Ella asked Justine quickly after Big Ed cocked his head toward his office and disappeared from view.
“It was the only way I could get a larger police presence around your
house, effective immediately.”
“You called for more units to actively patrol the area?” Ella asked.
“Yeah.”
“Thanks, partner,” Ella said, and handed Justine the paper bag. “See what you can get from this thing.”
“You’ve got it.”
“I’ll catch you later.” Ella went to the chief’s office next.
“Tell me what happened,” Big Ed said, and waved her to a chair.
Ella gave him the highlights. “Chief, if this crazy thinks I’m going to run away screaming, he’s in for one helluva surprise. All he’s done is guarantee that I’ll go after him with everything I’ve got.”
“He’s trying to rattle you, to divert your focus away from the homicide investigation. Don’t get sucked in,” Big Ed said. “I’ve already arranged for Phillip and Michael Cloud to alternate patrols around your home and that of your brother’s. One of them will be in the immediate area at all times.”
When she heard him mention Herman’s nephews, she nearly cringed. “Those guys are top-notch officers, but once they tell their uncle, my mother will find out. Knowing that a skinwalker was that close to our home is really going to scare her.”
“Maybe so, but you can’t keep your family in the dark about this. This perp left the jawbone in your truck, but how do you know there’s not another surprise waiting around the house?”
“Good point.”
“Do you still have a family dog?” Seeing Ella nod, he added, “So how come he didn’t bark when a stranger approached?” Big Ed asked.
“Two’s getting old. He can sleep through a thunderstorm. I think his hearing’s nearly gone.”
“Consider getting a second dog.”
“Before I go, Chief, I’d like to request that you speak to Sheriff Taylor and ask for his cooperation. I think Harry’s murder was linked to the theft of county property, a case he was investigating,” she said, giving him the information. “I can really use an official liaison.”
“I’ll handle that for you, but keep me updated.”
“I will,” she said, and soon afterwards left the station.
By the time she pulled up to the house and parked, Herman was outside, waiting for her. Judging from the look on his face, he already knew, and that meant that the ones inside probably did, too.
Ella braced herself. As she walked up to the front door, Rose came out to the porch. “We’ve searched everywhere, daughter, but there are no hidden warnings or evils waiting for us here. Just to make sure, your brother came by immediately and offered prayers for our protection. He also added a few things to our medicine bundles.”
Ella stared at her mother. She’d expected hysteria, or maybe anger, but not this calmness. She glanced at Herman, hoping for an explanation.
“My nephews phoned after dispatch called them with their new orders, and told me what you’d found in your truck,” he said. “They promised to make sure we stayed safe.”
“I was going to suggest that all of you pack up and go stay at my brother’s sheep camp in the mountains. After this matter is settled, you can come back.”
“No, daughter, no one’s running us out of our home. My husband’s nephews will be close by if there’s trouble. In the meantime, there’s a way I can help you. I’ll ask my friends and see if anyone knows who this evil one is,” she said quietly. “They may not talk to the police, but people trust me.”
Ella had no doubt about it. “All right, Mom, but be very careful. Does my daughter know what’s going on?”
“No, but you can’t keep this from her,” Rose said, reading Ella’s mind with alarming ease. “She needs to know, if only to be more careful herself.”
“Yeah, you’re right, Mom.” Ella went inside to her daughter’s room and found Dawn at her desk.
Dawn turned her head as Ella came in, her expression grave. “Mom, you’re being careful, right? I’ve been reading about those … people.”
Ella stood behind Dawn and looked down at her daughter’s computer screen. Dawn was researching skinwalkers on the Internet.
“I’m being smart, like you suggested.” Ella tugged her shirt open to show Dawn the ballistic T-shirt she often wore while working undercover. “So how much do you already know about recent events?”
“I heard Shimasání talking,” Dawn said with a shrug. “It’s okay, Mom. None of us are that scared. I just wish there was some way we could scare him.”
Ella smiled. “I’ll see what I can do.”
EIGHT
Ella was running late. As she pulled into the Horny Toad’s parking lot, she spotted Dan Nez’s pickup, a newer model Ford Silverado, just ahead. Dan was leaning against the cab of the big truck just aft of the driver’s door, watching the bar entrance.
The Horny Toad had been easy to find, with its distinctive sign depicting an overweight, winking cartoon reptile standing with his “arms” around two big-breasted women wearing partially unbuttoned Western-cut blouses.
Ella had never been inside this particular bar, but it was a fairly safe bet that they served more beer and buffalo wings than chardonnay and Brie.
Dan came over just as she got out and locked her door. Tonight, he was dressed in blue jeans, a dark blue and white short-sleeved Western shirt open at the collar, and shiny brown boots—his favorite Tony Lamas. His belt sported a big silver buckle with a cowboy on horseback, a trophy from a rodeo event over in Arizona. He’d skipped wearing his Stetson, probably not wanting it to get smashed up if they ran into trouble.
“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long. Things got complicated,” Ella said.
“You called ahead and let me know, so it was no problem. It also felt good to get a few minutes to unwind.”
“Yeah, I’m with you on that. Things can get crazy.” She smiled. Dan was sure nice to look at, but what made him stand out went beyond his physical attributes. Confidence gave him an undeniable presence. He looked like a man to be reckoned with, one who could handle any situation, no matter what the circumstances.
“You’re looking fine, as usual,” Dan said, giving her a quick hug.
As he stepped back, his gaze drifted over her in a thorough and appreciative way. She smiled. That was the thing about Dan. He made her feel like a desirable woman, not just a cop.
Tonight, her hair was loose and fell just past her shoulders. Though mostly black, there was a smattering of silver in it these days. Her dress jeans and formfitting Western-cut blue shirt completed the picture.
Her casual look, of course, was deceptive. She was carrying her undercover weapon—a SIG Sauer .380—at her waist, tucked beneath her blouse in an inside holster. She also had a small derringer in her boot—her backup weapon since her days with the FBI. Then there was the sleeveless ballistic T-shirt.
“When was the last time we actually went out on a date, Ella?” he said, taking her hand, staying true to tonight’s undercover assignment.
“Two weeks ago—Saturday night.” She looked at him, smiling. “Why do you ask me that every time we cross paths?”
Dan grinned. “Insecurity. I need to know you haven’t forgotten me already.”
Ella laughed. He was easy to be with and had a great sense of humor. She liked being around Dan a lot, but unfortunately, it was going to be strictly business tonight.
“Don’t know if you’ve seen it yet, but I sent you a copy of the sketch we made of the victim’s mystery date,” he said, and unfolded a sheet of paper he’d carried in his breast pocket.
“Great sketch,” she said, studying it as they approached the tavern door. “Attractive, high cheekbones, full lips. Short, layered crop, a little too perfect. Probably a wig.”
“I hope it’s close enough to the real deal to give us a solid lead,” he said, reaching for the handle. “By the way, I spoke to Sheriff Taylor. Chief Atcitty has asked for county’s continued help, so I’ve been told to remain available to you and help coordinate your murder investigation whenever it involves county. Just let me know
what you need and I’ll do my best to make it happen. That work for you?”
“Absolutely,” Ella said, wondering if Taylor had told Dan about the thefts yet.
“So tell me, have you been here before?” Dan asked as they stepped inside the Horny Toad.
“No, but I gather you have,” she said as one of the waitresses waved enthusiastically at Dan.
He grinned. “Now and then. After a long day of catching bad guys, a man’s gotta have a cold one.”
She smiled back at him. “I used to enjoy the nightlife, too, but having a daughter changed everything.”
“Head over there.” He gestured to a small, empty table in the far corner. From there, they’d be able to see the entire room and the entrance. “Do you miss it, your carefree days, that is?”
“No, can’t say I do,” she said loudly, trying to be heard over the country western ballad blaring out from hidden speakers.
The room was dimly lit, but Ella’s eyes adjusted quickly. As she made her way past an enthusiastic cluster of line dancers stepping more or less to the music, she made a point of checking out the women’s faces. No one matched the sketch.
A chemistry-enhanced redhead came over and greeted Dan seconds after they sat down. Wearing a thin T-shirt that left little to the imagination, the waitress beamed Dan a broad smile. “What can I get you, honey?”
“Hey, Ruby. Before we get to that, take a look at this, will you?” he said, angling the sketch toward the light. “Have you ever seen this customer?”
“So you’re working tonight, Danny?”
Danny? Ella’s eyebrows shot up. She might have been just a little jealous if Dan hadn’t looked so uncomfortable. The waitress was barely in her twenties, and judging from Dan’s reaction, he wasn’t into May–December relationships.
“I’m off the clock,” Dan said, “but as you probably know from some of the other cops who come in here, the line between on duty and off gets a little blurry sometimes.”
She looked at the sketch again. “I haven’t seen anyone who looks like her, but if I do, I’ll let you know,” she said. “So what can I get you two?”