by Aimée Thurlo
“What’s that?” Ella asked.
“He’s going to point out that a real soldier’s first duty is to live so he can carry on the fight. Dying out here won’t accomplish anything.”
Ella nodded. “If that works, we still have reason to worry about Daniel Smart. But maybe he’s not that far gone yet. And one more thing, about Garnenez. His nervousness may be more of an act than reality, so don’t turn your back on him. Just call it an instinct of mine.”
Justine and Neskahi nodded. They were familiar with how reliable her instincts tended to be.
As Ella stood by her unit with Justine and Neskahi, she unfolded a map of the area on the hood so they all could follow her plan. “Smart’s somewhere ahead of us and I want to make sure we trap him with the ridge to his back,” she said, pointing. “Neskahi, I want you to go here,” she said and pointed to a crossroads leading north and parallel to the Hogback. “Justine and I will cut off his escape to the west and south.”
Suddenly her cell phone rang. Suspecting it was Branch, she picked it up even before it finished the first tone. “Ella Clah,” she said briskly.
“It’s Branch. We’re too late. He’s moving in on Cardell now and I have no way to cut him off or stop him.”
“Where are you?”
“There’s a dirt track, actually an old mining road, that turns east just north of the junction at the end of the ridge. This track runs up a small canyon that ends right up against the base of the Hogback where there’s an old coal mine. There’s a shack there against the cliff side where the miners probably stored their equipment.”
Ella looked closely along the base of the Hogback and spotted a small, gray wooden shack in the shadow of the tall sandstone ridge. It was too far away to make out any details, though, and the distortion coming from heat rising off the desert didn’t help. “I think I see it from here.” She pointed out the spot to Justine and Sergeant Neskahi.
“I don’t see any other shacks around, so we must be talking about the same place. Benally’s inside that shack, I saw him,” Branch continued. “Smart is a hundred yards away, downhill and on foot now after leaving his truck hidden farther back. But the ground seems clear all around that shack and I know Smart’s not going to just run up or drive there. My guess is that he’ll find a hiding spot behind a rock and ambush Benally the second he steps outside again.”
“Can you get out of there without being seen?” Ella asked, noting that Neskahi had a pair of binoculars and was examining the area closely.
“No,” Branch answered. “I was watching the tracking display real carefully and didn’t come up right behind him, so he doesn’t know I’m here, I don’t think. But if I start the engine up again, he’s going to either hear my sedan or see the dust trail I leave.”
“Then stay put in your car. We’re less than five minutes away,” she said, then hung up. Focusing on her team, she continued. “Okay, listen up.” Ella filled in Justine and Neskahi quickly. “We’ve got to get up there and in position fast. Any suggestions?”
Neskahi nodded, handing her the binoculars.
“There’s a ridge on the south side. We can go up the canyon to its right and not be seen, then cross over the ridge and come up behind Smart—if we’re careful,” Neskahi pointed out.
“But there are a lot of boulders in that canyon that have broken off the ridge over the past million years or so. We may high center on a rock and tear out the oil pan,” Justine added.
“You’re driving so I know you’ll make it,” Ella said. “Once there, we’ll surround the cabin, but we need to stay behind Smart, putting him between Benally and us so neither of them can make a move without coming out in the open.”
“What if Smart manages to reach the cabin and capture Benally?” Neskahi asked.
“Then we rely on his cousin Garnenez to talk him out of the shack. If that doesn’t work, and Benally is still alive, we’ll have to talk Smart out of a hostage situation. If we need to use force, we’ll move fast and decisively. In either case, neither of those two men leave unless they’re in our custody.”
After a brief discussion, it was decided that Garnenez would ride with Ella and Justine, and Neskahi would proceed on foot the last quarter mile, covering them from behind Branch’s position to the north. Neskahi was a good shot with a rifle and they wanted him free to act if the opportunity came.
Neither Justine nor Ella spoke on the bone-jarring ride up the narrow canyon, at this point not much more than a boulder-littered arroyo. Occasionally, Ella would glance back at Garnenez. He looked terrified and kept trying to moisten his lips with the tip of his tongue, but she had a feeling it was just for show. His face showed one emotion, but his body seemed too relaxed, considering the situation. There was something about Garnenez that didn’t add up, and that made her uneasy.
They left the SUV after coming up to a spot they estimated to be a short distance behind where Branch was hidden, then climbed up onto the ridge to look north and hopefully down upon Smart’s location. On the top now, lying on their stomachs and peering from behind tufts of brush or rocks to avoid showing their silhouettes, Ella and Justine kept in contact with Branch and finally, thanks to Neskahi’s binoculars, they found where the talk show host was hiding.
Branch, who’d ignored Ella’s warning and was no longer in his car, poked his head out from behind cover and pointed east of his position.
Ella studied the area between Branch and the shack, but couldn’t see any sign of Smart, though there was a dark blue pickup that apparently belonged to him. Then she spotted what was nothing more than a slight movement in a deep shadow. She focused carefully and the extra light-gathering power of the binoculars enabled her to spot Daniel behind a large boulder about a hundred yards from them. He was lying down, studying the wooden shack.
The ramshackle cabin was a rectangular structure about fifteen by twenty with a small window on the two sides Ella could see. The building was about fifty yards uphill from Smart and less than twenty feet from the west side of the steep Hogback ridge. Farther to the south and about fifty feet from the structure was a black hole about ten feet in diameter leading into the cliffside.
“Smart’s camouflaged well, wearing desert fatigues,” Ella said, handing Justine the binoculars. “Call it in to Neskahi and give him the location.”
Justine spoke into the phone, then looked over at Ella. “Joe still can’t see Smart from where he is even with the rifle scope. He’s moving closer to Branch to get a better angle.”
Garnenez, who’d been a few feet farther down the back side of the ridge, crawled up beside them.
“Get down. He’ll see you,” Justine whispered harshly, pushing Garnenez onto his belly.
“Sorry. If you’re ready now, I’ll talk to him.”
“No, not yet,” Justine said, interrupting him. She handed Ella the binoculars. “Look at the west window of the shack.”
Ella saw the barrel of a shotgun poised on the sill of the window that faced downhill to the west. “Benally knows he’s got company.” She shifted back to Smart’s last position. “Smart’s out of sight now, which means he’s on the move. The road drops off to the side, so there must be a drainage ditch over there. I can’t see him anymore. I wonder where the door of the shack is? The north side? The east?”
Ella pulled out her weapon but before she could shout a warning to Benally they heard a crash and the sound of splintering wood. Ella knew Smart had kicked down the door, which was apparently on the north side because they couldn’t see it. A moment later her suspicions were confirmed.
“I know you’re out there, Clah. I saw somebody moving up on the ridge. I’ve got Benally. If you come closer, he dies, and so will you and the other officers,” Smart called out, using his enemies’ names, like a traditionalist, to take away their power.
“No one’s going anywhere—including you,” Ella shouted back. She could see Neskahi now, coming up from below in the same direction Smart had taken. “Release your hostage and
we’ll talk.”
“Back off, Clah. You don’t want the councilman’s right-hand man dead because of decisions you made. You’re going to assure me safe passage to my pickup and then out of the area. Once I’m out of the area, I’ll release Benally.”
“You’re not leaving here with a hostage. This is non-negotiable. Release Benally now!”
Ella saw movement out of the corner of her eye, and turned her head as Garnenez came out of cover. Justine dove for the professor’s feet but Garnenez slipped the shoestring tackle and was already sliding down the ridge. He barely managed to stay on his feet, but once he reached the bottom of the slope he was running full speed toward the shack.
“Get back!” Ella yelled at him, but by then Garnenez was in the middle of the clearing.
“Danny, it’s me,” Garnenez called out to him, slowing to a walk now.
“You led them here! You’re a traitor!” Smart’s voice came from the cabin.
“No, stay cool. You’re all wrong about this,” Garnenez said, his voice surprisingly calm. Ella noted that he was holding something in his hand, having taken it from his medicine pouch. She could make out a feather. It was some kind of fetish, no doubt.
Ella could see Neskahi moving up the far side of the road, but he was still too far away to help. Branch had moved too, unnoticed, and was closer.
“Get back, Professor!” Branch shouted, stepping out from behind the last big rock before the clearing. Garnenez turned, surprised, then waved Branch away. But the radio man kept coming.
“Hey, buddy. This is George. We need patriots like you to speak out, but not with violence. It’ll only prove they’re right in taking away our guns. A wise man knows when to walk away from a fight. This is that time, trust me, I know what I’m talking about.”
“Listen to me, Cuz,” Garnenez added. “Branch is right. You know me, I’ve never steered you wrong. I know you’re trying to help the tribe, but nobody ever won anything by getting themselves killed. Use your head. Set down your gun and turn yourself in. We’ll hire the best attorney around. The tribe is on your side, you’ll see. Trust what I’m saying. I’m not just your cousin, I’m your friend.”
“You were my friend. You sold me out.”
A shot rang out and Garnenez yelped, grabbing his leg and crumpling to the ground. “You shot me, you moron!”
Ella saw Branch move forward, trying to reach Garnenez.
A rifle shot came from the far side, striking the shed up high, forcing Smart to duck below the window. It was Neskahi.
“Give him some cover, but shoot high, we don’t know about Benally yet!” Ella yelled at Justine and began firing on Smart’s position, forcing him to keep his head down. She and Justine then took advantage of the situation, taking turns firing as the other moved, working their way down to a massive boulder at the foot of the ridge.
With all of them providing cover fire, Branch finally managed to drag Garnenez out of the line of fire into a low spot.
That accomplished, Ella and Justine both stopped firing and so did Neskahi, who had moved into position to cover the north side. Smart was trapped now from every direction. While Justine tried to get a connection with the chief via cell phone to apprise him of the new situation, Ella worked to focus Smart’s attention on her.
“Daniel Smart,” she said, using his belief that names had power to diminish him.
“I’ve still got Benally,” he answered, “and it’ll only be a matter of time before he gets shot, by you or by me. Unless you want more blood on your hands, you’ll let me drive away from here.”
“I can’t make that kind of decision. Let us get some help for the man you wounded, then we’ll talk.”
“Let my worthless cousin bleed. He’s a phony, always talking, trying to con people with that act of his.”
“Then why did he risk getting shot trying to talk you into ending this? Think, man!” Ella countered.
“He betrayed me by leading you here.”
“How would he know where you were? We brought him, he didn’t bring us,” Ella replied truthfully. “And if he dies, you’ll never forgive yourself for killing a friend,” Ella said.
“Then you come and get him—alone.”
Justine looked over at Ella. “No. You can’t trust anything he says. Remember you’re on his list. He’ll blow you away. Let either me or Joe go.”
Neskahi contacted Ella on the handheld radio. “I’ll go. I’m closer than either one of you, and I’m strong enough to carry Garnenez out of danger. Smart doesn’t even know me, so there’s no reason for him to shoot.”
“He’s right, Ella. You and I can cover him,” Justine said.
“All right, but let me tell Smart first.” Ella peered out from behind the rock again and called out to him. “I’m not strong enough to carry the professor. One of my men will go in. If you fire, the talking is over and we’ll take you down hard. Clear?”
“Go ahead. But after that’s done, you and I will cut a deal, or Benally dies. Am I clear?”
“If anyone dies, all deals are off.”
Ella watched Neskahi approach Branch’s hiding place, his rifle on the sling over his shoulder. Neskahi crouched down, out of sight for a moment, then a second later, he contacted her on her handheld radio. “Garnenez took a bullet just above the ankle, but I think he’ll live. But Branch is gone.”
For a moment Ella didn’t understand. “What do you mean gone? He couldn’t have left without either Smart or us seeing him.”
“I mean dead-gone. Garnenez says he clutched his chest, had trouble breathing, then just died.”
The news took Ella by surprise. Branch had finally done a selfless act—probably the first in his entire life—and had died in the process. Life—and death—never made much sense.
“Grab Branch’s car keys and get Garnenez into the Mercedes. It’s the closest vehicle. Then once you get him in the car, keep going.”
“The paramedics should meet him halfway between here and the hospital. They’ve been dispatched,” Justine said.
“I heard,” Neskahi said, “And I’ve got Branch’s keys now. I’m going.”
Ella and Justine kept their pistols aimed at the windows of the shack. Smart couldn’t leave the building now the same way he’d entered when assaulting Benally because of their new positions. But they had a hostage to worry about now. “Smart, listen to me. You can leave here, but not with Benally.”
“Do you think I’m that stupid? You’ll shoot me the second I step out of this shack. I want guaranteed safe passage with my hostage. I’ll let him go once I’m sure nobody is following me.”
Ella waited a moment before answering. “All right. We have a stalemate here, so I’ll see what I can do. But I’m going to need several minutes. There’s no radio reception here. I have to move back to a better location so I can talk to Chief Atcitty.”
Justine looked at Ella. “You’re not really considering letting him go, are you? He’s at least partially responsible for Branch’s death—and kidnapping too. Not to mention shooting his cousin.”
“You know me better than that. But I need some time. Keep him distracted. I’ll work my way around and use the same ditch he used before to sneak up on the cabin.”
“He’s crazy, not stupid. Well, maybe just a little. But he’ll suspect something’s up if you don’t come back soon.”
“Then I’ll have to work fast.”
“There’s a better way,” Justine said. “I’ll go. I’m not a target he wants to blow away so he might think about it a split second. If you show up you’re giving him exactly what he wants.”
“I’ve had more training and experience in these kind of situations, Cousin. If anyone is going to pull this off, it’ll have to be me.”
Justine exhaled softly. “You’re the boss. Just come back, okay?”
Ella moved farther west in the same direction Neskahi had gone with Garnenez, passing by Branch’s prone body. On the ground beside the dead man was what looked like an owl feat
her with two white beads attached by strings. It was probably Garnenez’s fetish. She stared at it for a moment, trying to figure out where she’d seen something like that before, but Justine’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
“We’re trying to convince our chief to deal with you, Daniel Smart. What’s the condition of your hostage?” Justine yelled.
“He’s unharmed, but he won’t stay that way for long. Your boss better make up his mind, quick!” Smart yelled back. He sounded more confident now.
“You’ve already been warned—if anything happens to the hostage, all deals are off,” Justine answered.
Ella moved silently, now circling around to the north, hoping to find that ditch that led up close to the shack. Unless Smart was in the doorway, he wouldn’t be able to see her coming without her seeing him.
She came up quickly, moving from boulder to boulder, approaching the shack in the shadow of the Hogback itself. But once she got close there’d be no more cover. If he heard or saw her coming, there’d be only one way to get out of his line of sight—coming right up against the building itself.
“We just got a response from the chief,” Justine called out. “If we let you walk away, how can we be certain that the hostage will remain unharmed? Also, we need to come up with a way for you to turn him over to us.”
Ella smiled. Attaway, Justine! Forcing him to think and come up with answers will keep him distracted. Ella shot toward the rear of the shack, sprinting as fast as she could and making it in five seconds. In the middle of the wooden back wall was a tiny crack between the boards. As Smart answered Justine, she crouched down and peered inside.
Ella saw Benally lying facedown on the floor, his hands and feet bound with a rope.
Ella grabbed a rock and tossed it up into the air above the cabin. Then, before it came down, she slipped around the corner and hurried to the open door. When the rock thumped on the roof, Ella reacted instantly, going through the doorway in a crouch, her pistol up.
Smart was still looking up when she fired. Two rounds hit him in the left side of his chest before he could swing the shotgun around, and he dropped to the floor.