by Aimée Thurlo
“I knew that Nick’s dad didn’t approve of my friendship with his son, but I never could blame him for wanting what he thought was the best for Nick,” Eden said.
“But now you want to prove that you’re as good as anyone else here,” Thomas observed. “I can understand that, but consider everything carefully before you act. If you insist on digging up the past, you may uncover more than the secrets you were after.”
“My parents were innocent. They didn’t deserve what they got. I realize I can’t change what happened to them, but I can affect the legacy I’ll be leaving for my son. Because of him, I’m going to do whatever it takes to clear my family’s name.”
“If you’re wrong about your parents’ innocence, you’ll lose far more than a reputation,” Thomas said, shaking his head.
“What do you mean?” For the first time, Eden’s voice held a trace of uncertainty.
“If you uncover proof that your parents did commit a crime against the tribe instead of proving them innocent, the house you’re living in will be taken away from you immediately, and both you and your son will be banned from the pueblo forever. Remember that this has nothing to do with white man’s laws. It’s all about our way of doing things. You will be held accountable for what your parents did. The reason your father fought so hard to clear his wife was because he knew they would have lost their land and the right to live here if he didn’t. He was fighting for more than justice. He was fighting for everything he held dear.”
Eden paled. “My parents were framed and the truth needs to come out.”
“Are you prepared to gamble that the ones who framed them won’t also frame you?” Thomas took a final swallow of his soda, and set the empty can down on the table with a flourish.
Eden stared at the man’s battered face, this time unable to reply.
Nick knew his uncle’s words had rattled her badly, but he’d told her the truth. Although he wanted to help Eden, he didn’t know how. Deep in thought, he looked at an indeterminate spot across the way and saw four people approaching, heading for the soda machine.
Thomas turned around and followed Nick’s line of vision. “That’s one Anglo family who has been among us as far back as I can remember. Marc Korman is now retired, but his wife, Rita, is the Cultural Center’s buyer these days. Since she’s Anglo, the tribe felt she could select pieces from local artisans without prejudice, or at least equal prejudice. The young one is Patrick, their son. He’s the bookkeeper for the Cultural Center these days. The one who looks like an underweight pro-wrestler is Rita’s brother, Wayne. He hangs around here a lot. If memory serves me right, the elder Kormans were working at the Cultural Center back when the artifacts were stolen. They were hired initially because their knowledge of art was very extensive and many thought that, back then, Anglo tourists would prefer to deal with other Anglos.”
“I spoke to them last week and they made it clear to me that they believe my mother was the thief. But, for all I know, they were the thieves,” Eden said quietly, still not turning around. “I made the mistake of talking to them together. If I had spoken to each one alone, I might have been able to learn if their stories didn’t match up.”
Nick looked at the four pensively. Except for Wayne Johnson, who was dressed in slacks and a tight-fitting knit shirt to show off his muscles, they were dressed like wealthy tourists, with colorful western shirts and denim pants. Rita wore a velveteen skirt and several pieces of turquoise and silver jewelry.
“Just walking advertisements for pueblo craftsmen, aren’t they?” Thomas muttered. “My lady friend Theresa Redwing is a clerk at the Center. She says the Kormans are pretty good workers, for non-Indians.” He laughed at his own joke.
A few minutes later, after the four had left, Eden finally relaxed. “The Kormans may have been the ones who killed my parents, or they may know who did, so I’m going to watch my step around them.”
“Is it possible that my mother’s diary could help Eden learn something about her own mother, something that could help her now?” Nick asked Thomas.
“Your mother kept a diary?” Eden asked.
“Yes, but it’s missing. We’re trying to find it now.”
“The diary may help. But it’s also likely she could end up finding out other things she would have been better off not knowing,” Thomas answered cryptically. He picked up his soda can, crushed it in his grip, then tossed it into the nearby trash barrel. “We’re even now, nephew. You saved my hide and, whether or not you realize it, I’ve just done the same for you and Eden.”
As his uncle walked away, Nick muttered a curse. “I hate the games he plays. He knows a lot more, I’m sure of it. I just wish he’d come straight out with the truth.”
“Don’t be so hard on Thomas, Nick. Everyone has secrets. Even you.”
Her words had cut close. He hadn’t told her who Tall Shadow was. “Just remember one thing, Eden. I’m on the side of justice, and that’s why I’ll always be a good ally for you.”
Like her, he was now in a battle to clear his family and there was little he could promise her except that.
AFTER ARRIVING at Mrs. Chino’s home, Eden walked through the always unlocked front door. Christopher, playing on a large blanket, let out a yell of excitement the second he saw her.
Eden smiled at Mrs. Chino, who was rocking another child in her arms, then walked over and picked up her son. “I missed you, Christopher! Did you have a great day?”
The baby smiled, focusing on her face in a way that made all her cares instantly fade away.
Then Christopher looked at Nick. “Da-da-da-da.”
Eden froze, her breath catching in her throat.
Nick winked at Eden, then scooped the baby from her arms and tickled him gently in the belly. Christopher laughed, enjoying the attention.
Eden watched, amazed at how Christopher had taken to Nick. Perhaps the baby knew instinctively what she’d never voiced to anyone. But Chris’s paternity was one secret she intended to keep buried until everything was settled. If she and her child were barred from the pueblo, knowing Chris was his son would only add another level of heartache and confusion to Nick, who’d never wanted children at all.
Eventually he would have to know. She couldn’t keep the truth from him forever. But the more time passed, the more complicated things got and the harder it became to envision the day when she’d finally tell him.
Saying goodbye to Mrs. Chino, they secured the baby’s car seat in the back, then drove to her home.
“Tell me about Christopher’s father,” he said, his voice taut. “Did you love him?”
Eden felt the words lodge at her throat. “Yes, I loved him. But in the ways that mattered most we were too different to make it work. Simply put, he didn’t want anything to bind him and Christopher. The responsibility of a son was more than he could accept. We parted company,” she said finally. “But that’s a chapter of my life that’s closed. My son and I are doing fine.”
“Did you choose him over me because you wanted kids?” His eyes darkened and his hands clenched into fists around the steering wheel.
“I didn’t plan Christopher, but I never saw myself as childless forever,” Eden said, measuring her words carefully. She didn’t want to lie, but she didn’t want to give away her secret, either.
“So the answer is yes?” he pressed.
“Partly. I made a hard decision back then, Nick, based on what my heart was telling me. That’s all I can say.”
“I won’t ask again.”
She could feel his anger, and his sense of betrayal. She wanted to tell him the truth, but it wouldn’t have helped anything. He still didn’t want kids. That hadn’t changed. It was one thing to play with a baby and quite another to take on the responsibility for one.
And the truth was that even if he knew and wanted to take part in her baby’s life, she would do everything in her power to retain full custody of Christopher. She wanted more for her son than a father who was a cop. She knew firs
t-hand all the insecurities that came from loving someone who courted danger for a living. A cop was the first on the scene, and with that knowledge came an agonizing daily uncertainty for his family. It was even harder on a child, more so than people ever suspected, and she would never put Christopher through that.
She brought her thoughts back to the present knowing that it was what they both needed to concentrate on now. “Nick, there’s something I need to ask you about the intruder at school,” she said. “Everyone thought it was an Anglo spying to get the scoop on our upcoming rites. But is it possible the man was there to keep an eye on me instead?”
Nick considered it. “If the guy harassing you is out to make you feel unsafe on the pueblo, that would certainly be one way to do it. But that’s the act of a stalker. If he continues to take chances, it won’t be long before he’s caught. He’s lucky nobody was able to get a good look at him today.”
“I just wish I knew where the artifacts were hidden. If I could prove my worth to the tribe by finding and returning those ritual objects, the ones who oppose having me live here might change their minds. Somehow I’ve got to make everyone see that I’m not here to take away the land or the culture. I’m here to give back what was lost, and bring the truth to light if I can.”
Minutes later they reached Eden’s home. Nick followed her in, then stood at the side window looking outside. “That trail may be overgrown with weeds right now, but it still leads to Black Raven Ranch. Don’t ever forget that. If you ever need help, my family’s not far.”
Sadly she remembered the way it had been between them once. As kids they’d often sneaked out and met at the halfway point between their houses. She’d had her first taste of passion alone with him in that remote, peaceful spot.
As Christopher began to fuss, Eden quickly shifted her attention to him. “I think he’s ready for dinner.”
“I better go,” Nick said. “I’ll have to turn in a report on what happened with my uncle today.”
“Thanks for the ride home.”
Eden heard him leave and close the door behind him. Nick had been her whole world once, but those days were gone forever. He had a new life here as a cop and his allegiance was to the pueblo he served. The three of them would never be a real family and the sooner she accepted that deep down in her heart, the better off they’d all be.
Chapter Six
The following afternoon, Eden was sitting alone at her usual picnic table near the Plaza when she saw Nick approaching. She waved, taking her hand off the stack of papers she was grading, when suddenly a gust of wind swirled around her. Her papers flew into the air, caught up by the miniature whirlwind.
Nick hurried to help her and snagged one sheet by leaning over and pinning it to the tree behind her.
Eden held her breath as they found themselves with their lips inches from each other’s. In vain, she tried to suppress the shiver that coursed up her spine as she felt his warm, moist breath caress her mouth.
“Thanks for your help,” she said unsteadily, ducking beneath his arm and moving away. Her hands were trembling as she gathered up the rest of the papers. “What brings you here in the middle of the day?” she asked, working hard to keep her voice smooth.
“We’re working this case together, Eden, and that means staying in close touch.”
His words teased her imagination, making her cheeks flush. “What we really need to come up with is a plan of action,” she said, trying to regain her composure before he noticed.
“Agreed,” Nick said crisply. “Here’s the way I see it. We have two things to accomplish. I have to figure out who wants you off pueblo land badly enough to break the law. And your priority is to find the stolen artifacts and clear your parents’ name. So you’ll need to keep an eye on certain people, while I keep an eye on you.” He paused, gathering his thoughts, then continued. “Over here you have a clear view of the Cultural Center, and from what I can see, they have lunch around the same time you do. It makes sense for you to do what you’re doing and watch the people there. See who comes and goes, and who meets with whom.”
“That’s what I figured,” she said. “Traditionally there have been so few job options around here that many of the Center’s employees have been there practically forever. There’s Theresa Redwing, sitting with your uncle under that tree,” she said gesturing. “I’d say she’s Thomas’s girlfriend, from the looks of it. Daniel Hawk, who I believe works at your ranch in the mornings, is also here now,” she said, pointing to a shady area filled with pines. “He’s eating his lunch in his pickup. And, of course there are the Kormans—Marc, Rita and her brother Wayne Johnson, all of whom you must have walked past on the way over here. Wayne seems to be very close to his sister, because he’s here almost every day around lunch, even though he doesn’t work on the pueblo. Patrick was with them a little while ago, but I saw him get a call on his cell phone, then go back inside.”
“What about Samuel Runningwater?” Nick asked. “Does he take a different lunch hour or have you seen him around?”
“I’ve been having my lunch here for close to two weeks now, and I can tell you that it’s a lot harder keeping tabs on him. He comes and goes a lot and, despite being the director, doesn’t seem to be involved that much with the Center. From what I hear, he’s thinking of running for pueblo governor, and spends a lot of time walking around the pueblo, lobbying for votes.”
Hearing footsteps behind her, she saw Bobby, one of her students, running after a football that had just bounced off his fingertips. Quickly she took a step back, widening the distance between her and Nick. Kids were very perceptive, and the last thing she needed was gossip to start up about Nick and her.
Eden deliberately returned to her chicken burrito and the papers she was grading. “I usually try to stick around here until all the Cultural Center employees go back to work. Then I’ll walk or drive by from time to time to see if anything is happening.”
Seeing another tribal unit pulling up at one of the parking barriers, Nick stood up. “There’s Torres. Let’s keep what we’ve discussed to ourselves,” he warned as the young cop approached.
“Don’t you trust him?” she asked, her tone whisper soft.
“He seems like an honest cop, but I think he wants to be captain so badly that he tries to take part in every investigation that concerns the PD. I’ve discussed this with him before. Our department is small, but that doesn’t mean we should all be attached at the hip. He does have seniority, but I take my orders from Mora, not him.” Nick didn’t like Torres. There was just something about the guy that bugged him. He really wasn’t sure if it was his imagination or not, but the man always seemed to be popping up no matter where Nick happened to be.
Torres was small in stature, but what he lacked for in size he made up for with intensity. His eyes had a predatory look, like a prairie hawk watching for a fat cottontail. There were hard lines around his face that gave him a stern, imposing countenance.
“Hey, Torres. What’s up? You need me to back you up on something?”
Torres shook his head, looking almost bored as he glanced around. It was meant to look casual, but Nick knew that beneath the surface this man didn’t do anything unless it was part of his master plan.
“I came to offer you two my help. I heard you’re having problems here at the pueblo, Miss Maes, and as long as you’re allowed to live here, you’re under the protection of our department.”
“I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine,” Eden said, glancing over at Nick.
“Just keep your eyes and ears open, Torres. Let’s see if we can find out who’s been trying to run her off.” Nick faced the other deputy squarely.
Torres stepped around Nick, and spoke to Eden. “I realize that you’re in a very unpleasant situation,” Torres said bluntly. “A lot of our parents disapproved of your father’s marriage to a white woman, and as a half white, you haven’t exactly been welcomed with open arms. Of course, your family’s history makes you even less po
pular.”
“If you’re trying to cheer her up, you’re failing,” Nick growled, crossing his arms across his chest.
“I’m just stating the facts,” Torres said. “You’re going to need some protection, Miss Maes. Of course, the safest thing for you would be to find a place to live off pueblo land, but if you choose not to, then I can at least try to be around to put a stop to any harassment before it gets ugly.” He paused then added, “Of course I’m not speaking as a citizen of this pueblo, I’m speaking as a member of the tribal police.”
“Which includes me,” Nick pointed out.
“Of course, Black Raven. I’m just trying to remind you, too, that we work as a team in our department. You don’t have to tackle anything by yourself.”
Nick stared at Torres, his eyes narrowed. “We both appreciate the reminder,” he said coolly. “Thanks for taking the time from your shift to stop by.”
As Torres walked away, Eden saw Nick scowling. “He really pushes your buttons, doesn’t he?” she said.
“It started off as friendly competition on the firing range, and when we went on training exercises, but somewhere along the way it took a wrong turn. Torres wants to make sergeant and is convinced I’m out for the same thing. Since only one of us can make it, he sees me as an obstacle standing in the way of what he wants. I’m not, but he’s got a chip on his shoulder.”
“He was several grades behind us, but I remember stories about him…only I can’t remember in reference to what.”
“His features. His parents and grandparents are Tewa, but his skin color is very light and his features are somewhat different from those of most of our people. There’s always been gossip that he’s got white blood somewhere. His family has denied it, but…” He shrugged.
“That may be why Torres offered to help me. If you’ve ever been set apart because of things you can’t do anything about, you would understand how difficult it can be.”
“Maybe,” he said, unconvinced. “But, to me, his offer just doesn’t come across as sincere.” Nick glanced at his watch. “I better go grab something to eat before I run out of time.”