by Aimée Thurlo
A call came over Emily’s radio and she signed off quickly, promising to be in touch if anything turned up.
“She’s looking for a place to live?” Justine asked.
“I normally wouldn’t have butted in on your business, but I think you’d like her. Since she works for the county sheriff’s department, she wouldn’t have to travel far to get to work. It’s almost the same distance for us, only we go in the opposite direction.”
“Living on the Rez isn’t for everyone,” Justine said cautiously.
“She didn’t strike me as the type who’d have a problem with it. But this is your place. You decide what’s right.”
Working together, Ella and Justine searched the ground for any evidence the vandal might have left behind. An hour later they still had nothing except for the tire prints.
Ella pursed her lips and weighed her next step. “My sister-in-law is very chummy with Garnenez. I’m going to go have a talk with her,” she said at last. “I’d haul her in for questioning, but my mother and brother would have fits.”
Justine chuckled softly. “You’ll probably get more from her if you go easy.”
“Yeah, but she’s soooo annoying,” Ella answered with a wry smile. “I’ll be in touch later.”
Ella got back into her unit and called Loretta at home. “We need to talk,” Ella said when Loretta answered the phone.
“You can’t come here, sister-in-law,” she said firmly. “My son is home.”
Ella’s hand tightened around the steering wheel. “Where then?”
“Here.” Clifford’s voice boomed from the background. “I’ve had it. My sister can come to this house whenever she wishes.”
“This is my house,” Loretta said.
Ella scowled. Loretta was right. Navajo Way dictated that the property always belonged to the woman. Ella bit back her anger. “I just need to ask you a few questions. It won’t take long.”
“Not inside my home,” Loretta repeated firmly. “But I’ll go outside and talk to you there.”
“I don’t care if we talk in the henhouse,” Ella said impatiently. “You may be able to give me some insights. I understand you and Professor Garnenez have become . . . ‘friends.’ ”
“What have you heard?” Her voice suddenly became tight.
“More than was my business and much more than I cared to,” Ella answered truthfully, then added, “I’ll see you in twenty-five minutes.”
Ella drove to her brother’s house, wishing she hadn’t put Clifford in the middle. But maybe it was better this way since it had meant that Loretta would meet her outside. Her questions would have undoubtedly upset Clifford even more. Her brother always kept a firm hold on his temper, but he wasn’t above anger. Ella wasn’t worried that he would show up on the professor’s doorstep and punch his lights out, but she was reasonably certain he’d insist Loretta quit her job.
The problem was that Ella knew how badly they needed the money. People didn’t always pay in cash for Clifford’s services, but her brother never placed a cash-paying patient ahead of one who could only pay in trade or service.
She arrived at her sister-in-law’s house a short time later. As she parked, Loretta came out to meet her. Clifford, seeing her, came out too.
“We can talk out here as long as you like,” Loretta said. “But you cannot go into my house.”
“This is foolish,” Clifford said. “We all have our medicine pouches and my sister has had a prayer done over her. That’s enough for now.”
“I don’t agree,” Loretta said simply. “She will not enter the house.”
“Let me talk to your wife here,” Ella said, glancing at Clifford. “It won’t take long.” She motioned toward the house with her head, indicating he should leave.
He looked at her curiously. “You don’t want me present,” he observed. “Why?”
“It’s police business. She knows a suspect, and it’s the way we interview people,” Ella said firmly and hoped her brother wouldn’t press it.
With a shrug, Clifford walked off.
Anger bubbled inside her. She’d hated doing that to her brother, particularly after all he’d done for her. And none of this would have been necessary if his wife hadn’t allowed Professor Garnenez to get close to her.
“Thanks for keeping this between you and me,” Loretta said softly. “I don’t know what you’ve heard, but it’s all just jealousy and gossip. I haven’t done anything wrong.”
Ella didn’t comment. She needed information from her sister-in-law and putting her on the defensive wasn’t the way to do it.
Loretta pursed her lips. “Nothing improper is going on. I give you my word of honor.”
Ella gave her an impatient nod. “Let’s go on. We need to get down to business. How well . . . no, do you know the professor well?”
Loretta hesitated. “I guess so. I mean we talk about things other than business.”
“Would you say that he’s truly worried about the threat I may pose?”
“Very much. But, Sister-in-law, you know he’s just one of many.”
“Has he ever become violent or lost his temper around you or his students?”
Loretta shook her head. “Never, and, believe me, he’s had plenty of provocation. There was one time a student really mouthed off to him because of the grade he’d been given. You wouldn’t believe the things that came out of that kid’s mouth! If it had been me, I’d have slapped him, but the professor didn’t even blink. He just told him to leave the office.”
“So he acts cool and rationally even when he’s angry?”
Loretta took a deep breath, then let it out again. “Well, I haven’t worked there very long, of course, but he doesn’t seem to stew on things. He takes action immediately to correct them. For example, when he failed to get the parking spot he’d asked for, he went to administration and presented his case. Even though he got turned down, he told me he’d keep at it until he got what he wanted.”
“What if he felt threatened in some way—would he get violent?”
She considered for several moments. “I don’t know him that well, but I think that’s like asking me whether I would ever take a life. In most cases, no, but if anyone attacked my family, I would, without hesitation.”
“Fair enough. Do you know if the professor does any target shooting for pleasure or in competition?”
“Sorry, it’s never come up. We don’t talk about repairing cars either, though, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a mechanic.”
Ella nodded. “All right. That’s all I have. I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell the professor that I asked about him.” She paused, then continued. “I’d also like you to keep your eyes and ears open. If you find out that he owns a twenty-two rifle, or that he’s a duck hunter, let me know right away.”
“What is it that you think he’s done?” she asked, her eyes bright with curiosity.
“I can’t answer that right now,” Ella replied. Meeting her sister-in-law’s gaze with a level one of her own, she added, “But be careful that you don’t lead him on in any way. You may get more than you bargained for.”
Loretta looked at her in confusion, then shook her head. “You’re just reacting to rumors that there’s something between us. I know you’re just trying to protect your brother, but I’m telling you, there’s nothing between us.”
As Loretta walked back to the house, Clifford came out of his medicine hogan and approached her.
“I’d like to talk to you for a moment,” he said, gesturing toward the hogan.
“Okay, but I won’t be able to stay long,” she warned.
Ella followed him, then sat down on the sheepskin rug across from him on the south side, which, according to custom, was the spot reserved for women. “I’ve always liked your medicine hogan,” she said softly. “There’s such a sense of peace here.”
“There’s not much of that in your world right now, is there?”
“No, there isn’t,” she answered.
“I heard that you moved out of Mom’s house.”
“I didn’t really have much of a choice. Do you know what happened to my daughter at school?” Seeing Clifford nod, she continued. “And to make matters worse, someone’s after me. Just a few hours ago, a spray-painted message was left for me on our second cousin’s door.”
“Will you be leaving her home now?”
“No. She’d have a coronary if I did,” Ella said, laughing. “It’s our nature to fight, not to run.”
“Do you have any idea who’s after you?”
“Yes, but I have to prove it.”
“Is that why you came to speak to my wife? Do you think she knows the person you’re after?”
Ella hesitated. This was the last topic she wanted to pursue with her brother. He’d always been able to read her much too easily.
She nodded, but didn’t say anything.
He exhaled softly. “In case you’re wondering, I know about her job at the college,” he said. “She just went to full-time, and had to tell me. I didn’t like the idea at all, but she’s right. We’re strapped financially and need the extra income.”
“It’s a great job, with benefits,” Ella said carefully.
“It is. But it makes things complicated. I now have to take care of my son until she gets home. Of course Julian’s seven and doesn’t need constant supervision, but when I’m with a patient he gets shortchanged.”
“You’ll find a way to make things work,” Ella said, standing up.
“Sister, there’s one more thing I need to know. My wife has been working closely with one professor on some kind of inventory project and she talks about him a lot. Could he be the one you suspect has been coming after you?”
Ella hesitated, then nodded. “Yes, but as I said, I have no proof. Right now I’m trying to find out if he owns a twenty-two rifle or if he’s a duck hunter. The sniper who’s after me is very skilled at hitting a moving target.”
“My wife will help you all she can,” Clifford said. “She may resist doing something you asked because you two don’t get along very well, but in the end she’ll come through because you are family.”
“That’s good to know.”
Ella started to leave, then remembered something else that was on her mind. “Brother, this is totally unrelated, but I’ve decided to buy a horse so I can start riding with my daughter. I’m looking for a well-behaved gelding, probably. If you hear of any possibilities from one of your patients, let me know, okay?”
“You haven’t been on a horse in what, fifteen years?” Clifford looked amused.
“It’s like riding a bicycle, right? Once you learn, you never forget.” Ella scowled at him.
He laughed. “I know this stallion named Lightning that might be available.”
“Find one named Molasses, or Rocking Chair, okay? I’ll see you again soon.” Ella smiled, then left the hogan.
As she drove away, in the rearview mirror she saw her brother standing just outside the entrance to the hogan, and Loretta walking toward him. She wondered if Clifford had heard the rumors about his wife and the professor. It seemed unlikely that he didn’t know. But Clifford wouldn’t pass judgment on Loretta until he found out for himself how much, if any, of the rumor was true.
Ella decided to stop by her home and see Dawn for a bit, but first she called her mother to make sure she didn’t have guests. The sacrifice she’d made by moving out would all be for nothing if anyone saw her at the house.
“Some people will be stopping by later, so come now,” Rose said. “Your daughter misses you.”
The words tugged at her heart. When Ella pulled up a short time later, she saw Dawn and Boots outside in the arena, brushing the pony. As Ella joined them, Dawn gave her a hug. “Riding is fun, Shimá. When will you come riding with me?”
Rose came out and, smiling at her daughter, answered for Ella. “She’ll get a horse soon, little one.”
Ella glared at her mother, then saw her laughing eyes. Rose was enjoying this.
“Tomorrow?” Dawn said.
“No, Pumpkin. It’s going to take time for me to find the right horse. But I’ve got some people who will help me, including your uncle.”
“Make sure you keep reminding her, Granddaughter. Your mother might forget,” Rose added, chuckling.
“Okay!” Dawn answered.
“Great, Mom,” Ella answered with complete insincerity.
Finished with the pony, Dawn tugged at her mother’s hand. “Come see the flowers.”
“What flowers?”
“The dying plant she took from your room,” Rose explained.
Ella, curious, followed her daughter. The pot was on a window facing east, just like it had been in Ella’s room. But, here, the plant had done a dramatic about-face. One tiny bud clung to life on the long, bare flower spike and the leaves looked green and healthy again.
“Good job, Pumpkin!”
“It likes it in my room.”
“So I see. You’ve done a marvelous job. What did you do to it?”
Dawn shrugged. “I gave it water and I talked to it. We are connected. All things are. That’s what Shimasání says.”
“And she’s right,” Ella said, realizing that she’d also come to accept that belief.
“Daughter, some of the Plant Watchers will be stopping by today. If anyone comes early . . .” Rose warned with a sad smile.
“Right.” Ella smiled at Dawn. “I have to go now, but I’ll see you again soon. Be a good girl.”
“I will.” Dawn gave her mother a hug.
Ella walked away quickly, not looking back. Dawn was in the best hands. She’d take comfort in that.
Moments later, Ella was in her unit heading back to Justine’s. It was a shame that her brother hadn’t known the Sing she needed. It seemed odd for her to have to rely on another hataalii. At least Clifford would have understood why she was having it and not expected her to act or feel any differently after the ceremony concluded. As she pulled up by Justine’s, she saw her partner cleaning a paintbrush in a bucket of soapy water beside the front porch. From what she could see, there was now a new coat of paint on the front door, which was open.
“Anything new turn up on this vandalism?” Ella asked.
Justine shook her head. “Officer Marquez made an official report. The county police were unable to locate the vehicle the suspect was driving. For them, the matter’s closed, at least for now.”
“That’s that then.”
“Why don’t you go on in to the kitchen? I bought a bucket of chicken when I went to get the paint. You can nuke a few pieces and some of the mashed potatoes in the microwave.” Justine paused, then added, “Just don’t touch the door when you go in.”
Ella smiled. “Mom’s never let me buy her a microwave. Do you like yours?”
“I don’t know how I ever got along without one. There’s nothing like nuking coffee in the morning, or a bowl of oatmeal. And you can bake a potato or apple in just a few minutes.”
As Ella went in, her cell phone rang. It was Emily. “Are you going to be home tonight?”
“I’ll be here at Justine’s unless something comes up. Why do you ask?” Ella said, placing a drumstick and a chicken breast on a paper plate—the only kind Justine seemed to have.
“I thought I might come over and meet her. The officer who’s watching your home offered to take my place on stake-out tonight, so I’m free.”
“How much time do you have left before you have to move out?”
“Less than two weeks. Finding a house or duplex within my price range—that also has a large yard—has been nearly impossible. The sticking point is that I need some space for my little greenhouse. It’s about the same size as a large shed.”
“You’d have room here, but it’s Justine’s place so you’d have to work it out with her. Why don’t you come over now? We’re both here.”
Emily arrived a half hour later in her personal vehicle, a red pickup truck with a m
atching camper shell. Justine and Ella went out to meet her.
“As I was driving up I noticed that your horse is going crazy back there,” Emily said. “He’s bucking and running around everyplace.”
“I better go check and see what’s upset him,” Justine said.
“We’ll come with you,” Ella said.
A moment later they were in the paddock area behind the house. The wild-eyed horse was running around inside the enclosure, bucking and leaping before spinning around and running in the opposite direction. Seeing them, he settled down, still breathing hard and snorting from all the exertion, and watched them.
Ella laughed. “There’s nothing wrong with him. He’s just feeling good. The weather’s cool, but not cold, and we have a pretty strong breeze right now. He’s just having fun.”
Justine grumbled. “Tell that to the bucket he kicked halfway across the paddock,” she said, pointing to the large, dented-in galvanized tub she’d been using as a feeder. It was sitting on its side now.
“Leggar’s the most temperamental creature I’ve ever come across,” Justine added. As she approached him, the horse pinned his ears back, lowered his head to below the withers, and nipped at the air, barely missing her. “Hey!” She jumped back.
Ella laughed. “You don’t like him and he knows it.”
“I don’t like him because he bites.”
“He bites because you’re forcing things,” Ella said. “Don’t look at him, just turn away from him and wait. He’ll approach you.”
Ella went inside the paddock and demonstrated. The horse trotted in a circle around the enclosure, then stopped and watched her. Ella turned sideways, facing away and remained where she was. The horse waited, then finally came up to her. Ella patted him on the neck and the animal remained calm.
“Wow, you’re great with horses,” Justine said.
“No, not really. I’m good with horses—but only when I’m standing on the ground,” Ella said. “Unfortunately, my daughter wants a riding partner. Why couldn’t she have been interested in cars or motorcycles?”