Her Hero

by Aimée Thurlo

  Nydia dialed her mother-in-law’s home, dreading the cool reserve that was always present between them when they spoke. They’d never been close, and things had deteriorated even more after Frank’s death, when Nydia had chosen to go to college and pursue a career instead of following a more traditional path.

  The moment Lucille recognized her voice, Nydia felt the temperature drop twenty degrees. “My husband is no worse, but he’s no better, either. He’s in the hogan. He stays there all the time now. My grandson is with him. Has the hataalii consented to come back with you?”

  “There are…complications.” The silence at the other end spoke volumes. “I’m doing my best. But it may take a few days.”

  “My husband needs the singer. Bring him soon, or it will be too late.”

  Nydia heard the dial tone, and her heart sank. Lucille didn’t have to say it. They were all counting on her. If she didn’t bring Joshua back, her in-laws, and maybe even her son, John, would always wonder whether she’d failed because she hadn’t seen the value of the singer, and had not tried hard enough.

  Taking a deep breath, and wiping tears of frustration from her eyes, Nydia returned to the living room.

  “Can I get you something to eat?” Lanie asked. “You don’t look well.”

  “I’m fine,” she assured. “It’s my father-in-law I’m worried about.”

  The sound of a car arriving captured everyone’s attention. Gabriel walked to the front window and glanced outside. “It’s the state police. I’ll go talk to the officer. Joshua, go to the door so he can verify you’re actually here. My word might not be good enough for their records. But don’t come outside unless I call for you.”

  Joshua nodded, and walked over by the door as Gabriel went outside.

  Lucas came over to stand beside him. “I’m here, little brother. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together.”

  “I know.”

  “I hope I find the killer first,” Lucas said softly, though a deadly intent resonated with each syllable.

  “Talk like that is dangerous,” Nydia warned.

  “I can’t help the way I feel,” Lucas said, the bitter dregs of sadness coloring his words.

  “Nor can I,” Joshua admitted.

  She sensed the crushing weight of sorrow that filled them, and her heart went out to them, though there was nothing she could do.

  After several minutes, the eldest Blackhorse brother returned, and the car outside drove away. “The state police officer can’t find the truck you said you spotted at Olivia’s. Tree, are you sure that’s where it was? Maybe you got turned around.” Gabriel returned to the sofa, sat down beside his wife and draped his arm around her shoulders protectively.

  “I didn’t get turned around. And neither did Danger. I know where that pickup was parked.”

  “There weren’t any tracks. The officer checked after he had Olivia take Danger inside the house.” Gabriel rubbed the back of his neck, trying to ease the tense muscles. “Olivia, by the way, didn’t see or hear anything tonight. But that’s no surprise. She doesn’t wear her hearing aid to bed. She only spotted the policeman because the flashing lights woke her up.”

  “Maybe it was the killer’s truck, then,” Nydia said. “He parked it there temporarily, thinking that no one would suspect Olivia or risk getting Danger’s attention. The dog must have known him, too, or he’d still be there. He obviously came back for the truck after we left.”

  “We’ll keep checking. The officer went to talk to neighbors now. Maybe someone else saw something.”

  Joshua stood up. “It’s time for me to go. I want to return to the new hogan. I need to make a hole in the north wall. Although our father didn’t die there, his death took place only a few feet away. I won’t use that hogan again. After I finish what I have to do at that hogan, I’ll go back to my old home.”

  “That’s out of the question. For one, it’s not safe for you to be out alone,” Gabriel said. “Once word gets out and people start talking among themselves, there’s no telling what’ll happen. Vigilante law is not unheard-of in this town.”

  Nydia knew he was referring to the legend of Flinthawk. The medicine man had almost been lynched back in the 1800s by an angry rancher and his cohorts, who’d believed him guilty of murder. The townspeople of Four Winds had saved Flinthawk, however, coming to his rescue and standing beside him, refusing to allow vigilante law to prevail. In return for saving his life, the medicine man had rewarded the town by doing a special blessingway that had assured Four Winds of safety and prosperity for its citizens forevermore. She’d studied and documented the tale as part of her research on the skinwalker bowl.

  “Where would you have me go?” Joshua’s voice rose slightly. “I’m not guilty of anything and I won’t run and hide.”

  “The deal I cut with the mayor, which is all that’s allowing me to keep you out of jail, is that one of us will remain with you at all times. So, for now, you can stay here. No one will make a move against you as long as you’re under this roof,” Gabriel said.

  Gabriel was about to say more when the telephone rang. He picked up the receiver, visibly annoyed at the interruption. As he spoke, his voice seemed to become more and more tense.

  Joshua and Lucas exchanged glances, but neither said anything.

  Nydia overheard enough to know it was the mayor and new rules were being set down. A shudder traveled up her spine.

  At long last, Gabriel replaced the receiver and glanced at his brothers. “That, as I’m sure you’ve realized, was the mayor. We have a big problem. He spoke to the state police and heard about the truck you claimed you saw. He’s worried that you’re guilty, and somehow all this is going to cost him his job. He doesn’t want you running around free, and he doesn’t think having either Shadow or me sticking with you when we can is good enough. For one thing, we’re both pretty likely to be called away on emergencies, leaving you unguarded.”

  Joshua narrowed his eyes and met his brother’s gaze with a steely one. “You’re going to throw me in jail?”

  “No. I’ve been ordered to deputize a citizen, someone who is not related to you, and that person is to be with you when we can’t be.”

  “Then deputize me,” Nydia said. “I’m the logical choice. You know I wasn’t involved. I’m also the closest to a witness that you’ve got. You need me here, which is fine with me since I’m not going anywhere until the singer can leave with me.”

  Gabriel stared at her, eyebrows raised. “You’re not trained for any of this.”

  “This town only has one full-time cop, so neither is anyone else. The singer isn’t trying to escape—all you need is someone who can testify as to his whereabouts, right?” Seeing him nod, she continued. “Well, then when neither you nor Lucas can be with him, I’ll be there like I was tonight.”

  Gabriel nodded. “You’ll have to take an oath, though I don’t have a badge to give you. The town only owns one.”

  “No problem.”

  Gabriel swore her in quickly. “That’s done. You’re officially deputized.”

  “Do you know if Marlee has a room at the boardinghouse, Sheriff?” Nydia asked. “I’ll be needing a place to stay until the singer is free to leave town with me.”

  Lanie cleared her throat. “I figured you’d be staying, one way or another, so I called Marlee earlier and told her you might be coming by. She’s got a room ready.”

  “Thanks.”

  Lanie walked with Nydia to the door. “It looks like Four Winds wants you around. It needs a new resident from time to time,” she said with a knowing smile.

  “Resident?” Nydia shook her head. “No way. I’ve got a life and a son waiting for me back on the reservation. I have no intention of staying here any longer than necessary.”

  Lanie said nothing, but there was a look in her eyes that bothered Nydia. A chill wrapped around her, filling her with a sense of impending danger.

  As Nydia drove to the boardinghouse, she glanced down at the beautiful ru
g on the pickup seat beside her.

  Fate comes in many guises, a voice said within her mind.

  Nydia blocked the uneasiness spreading through her. She was exhausted. Tomorrow, things would look better. Holding on to that thought, she hurried down Main Street to Marlee’s.

  “YOU CAN’T KEEP ME from leaving, Fuzz,” Joshua said. He wouldn’t lose his temper with his brothers; they meant well. “I have my own home and I need a chance to be alone to think. I admit I lost it for a while today. Anger blinded me, and now I need time to deal with those feelings, to regain harmony. You have the luxury of hate. A hataalii doesn’t.”

  “Okay, so you’re not perfect,” Lucas piped up. “We knew that already. Live with it. But none of that changes the situation.”

  “Stay here tonight,” Gabriel repeated. “Tomorrow, we’ll see how things are shaping up in town and how safe it’ll be for you in Four Winds. Agreed?”

  Joshua considered it. His brothers obviously wouldn’t let him leave, not without a full-blown confrontation. The set look on Gabriel’s face was one he recognized. Lucas would back Fuzz up, too. He always did. Joshua considered his options. He didn’t want to take on his brothers right now. They might get hurt, Lanie would get in the way and he’d probably have to take a few punches for his trouble. And all for no good reason. They’d all just lost their father and were under an incredible strain. They couldn’t afford to be taking their anger out on each other now. “All right. I’ll stay tonight.” Joshua looked down at his hands. “I’m going to need a shower, though, and some clean clothes. Yours won’t fit me.”

  “He has a point,” Lucas conceded. “How about if I promise to keep an eye on Tree at his cabin? You stay here with Lanie, and keep an eye on each other. And that way, you’ll be close to town if you get called out on police business.”

  “Living up to your name again, Shadow? I don’t suppose I can talk you out of it,” Joshua asked.

  “Not a chance,” Lucas answered.

  “I think it’s a good idea, too,” Gabriel added. “You two be careful.”

  “Let’s go, little brother,” Lucas said, looking up at Joshua, who towered over him. “Big brother is going to take care of you.”

  ‘“Big bother’ is more like it, shorty,” Joshua retorted, drawing comfort from the banter they’d shared for many years, and followed Shadow out the door.

  NYDIA SAT ALONE in her room at the boardinghouse. According to Marlee, it was the same one Lanie had used months back, when she’d first arrived in Four Winds. She remembered part of the story Lanie had told her when she’d come to document the story about the bowl. When she’d first arrived, Lanie had truly believed her stay in Four Winds would be a short one. Maybe Marlee was used to hearing that, too. She’d smiled so strangely when Nydia had asked for the daily instead of weekly rate.

  Or maybe Marlee just didn’t believe that the murderer would be caught quickly. But in a town this small, how many suspects could there be? Of course, the killer could have been another new arrival in town. But if that was true, surely he would have stuck out among the residents.

  A knock sounded at her door. As Nydia opened it, Marlee came in with a cup of hot cocoa and a sandwich. Since Nydia had seen her last, Marlee’s brown hair had been restyled so that it fell toward her face in short bangs that framed her oval face and partially hid the scar that ran from her left temple to her chin. “To help you settle in,” she said, placing the food on the bedside table. “I used to put herbs in my cocoa that helped people relax, but nowadays I don’t do that unless people ask. Would you like something to help you sleep?”

  Nydia sipped the chocolate. “No, this is fine. Thanks.”

  Nydia suddenly realized that she hadn’t eaten in hours, except for the coffee she’d had at Lanie’s, and she was starving. Taking large bites of the sandwich, she finished it quickly.

  “Would you like another sandwich?” Compassion was mirrored in Marlee’s hazel eyes.

  “No. This was fine. Thanks for fixing it for me.”

  “You know, we didn’t really get much of a chance to talk last time you were in town. I’m glad you came back.”

  “I wish the circumstances were different. I need the singer’s help, and I can’t leave without him. How well do you know Sheriff Blackhorse? Will he be able to clear up this case soon?”

  Marlee considered it. “With his family so closely involved, he may not be allowed to work much on the case officially. I’ve already heard some talk about that. But I guarantee he won’t rest until his father’s murderer is caught. None of the Blackhorse brothers will.” She stood up. “But don’t you worry about any of that right now. Fate brought you here. You’ll be okay.”

  “Fate? I came on an errand.”

  “That doesn’t discount fate. Think about it,” Marlee said, and shut the door behind her.

  Nydia sighed, turned off the light, then walked to the window and stood there pensively, staring outside. The moon was almost directly overhead now. Silver gossamer sheets of light filtered onto the backyard, accentuating the bed of wildflowers that Marlee obviously tended very carefully. It was peaceful here. Only one sound drifted into her room—the soothing drone of the night insects dancing around the darkness like winged messengers of some faroff god.

  There were touches of warmth and life everywhere, but beyond that exterior was an inescapable core of corruption. Somewhere in Four Winds tonight, a murderer walked free.

  As her thoughts drifted from that back to Joshua and the loss he’d suffered, a hawk shrieked overhead, its cry slowly fading into memory. The Blackhorse family had a merciless enemy out there, hiding. To kill the father and frame the son required a unique form of hatred.

  She remembered the pain on Joshua’s face as he saw his father’s life slipping away despite his best efforts. The anguish had been that of a strong man hammered by blows that transcended the physical. Yet within that sorrow, she’d sensed a deep well of strength and power.

  Her pulse quickened, and her body quivered as she saw him clearly in her mind’s eye. His grief had touched her deeply, and she’d longed for a way to soothe his pain. She shook her head. He was not for her, though he filled her with emotions she’d thought she’d never feel again. Those intense feelings in the face of the danger and darkness surrounding them both seemed odd and out of character for her. But they were oh so real!

  Nydia stared up at the moon, and wondered where Joshua was now and what he was thinking.

  JOSHUA PACED AIMLESSLY around the old cabin he’d shared with his father. His father’s most valued possessions would be discarded in a few days. The few pieces his brothers and he would keep would need a blessingway done over them. As he stared at his father’s favorite chair, he felt such a biting hurt he wanted to cry out. But he could not. His insides knotted with the anger he would not give in to. Finally, the emotion passed and left a great echoing emptiness.

  He stood by the window, lost in thought, listening to the sounds of the night. Lucas was sleeping, but rest eluded him tonight. As a night bird screamed shrilly outside, he remembered what Rudolph Harvey, his teacher, had taught him. The Way meant maintaining the inner stillness needed to ward off chaos. Strength came through harmony. Peace through inner balance. Without those, he could do little to help anyone, including himself.

  The memory of his father, and the loss they’d all suffered, would have to find its place somewhere within each of them where the burden could be carried. Life went on.

  He thought of the woman, Nydia Jim, who had spent the evening with him. It was clear to him that Four Winds had called to her, but to what end? Her fate touched his; that was certain. As it was now, though, he could do nothing to help her or her family until he found himself again.

  “Four Winds brought her back for you,” Lucas said, coming up silently to stand beside him. “I noticed the attraction between you two when you met months ago. But you let her just drive away. It looks to me like Four Winds is going to be tougher to argue with this time
.”

  Joshua shook his head. “She came in search of a hataalii who may not exist anymore. I’m not the man she thought I was. I’m not the man I thought I was.”

  “Yes, you are. You just have to accept the two sides of your own nature, and find the balance point between them.” Lucas gave his brother’s shoulder a squeeze. “A singer is only a man, little brother. Unless you come to terms with that, you will lose your way, and everything that you’ve fought so hard to become.”

  As his elder brother returned to bed, Joshua remained by the window. He sensed somehow that before this was over, he would be tested and the woman along with him. He would have sent her home, and spared her the violence and anger that was yet to come, but it wasn’t his call to make.

  He watched as the moon slipped behind a cloud, leaving only the faint glow of what it had been. Haze could obscure the brightness for a while, but it would not win over the inevitable.

  As the cloud slowly slipped away, and the moon once again illuminated the forest, the singer murmured, “Good night, Nydia. Sleep well.”

  Chapter Four

  The sun was still below the horizon when Joshua left the log home his father and he had built so many years back. His brother Lucas was still asleep, so Joshua slipped away silently, intent on walking to the hogan to do what needed to be done there before Lucas got up.

  The long walk was pleasant, though the duty ahead weighed his spirit down. Lost in his own thoughts, he was scarcely aware of his surroundings until a flash of light between the pine branches caught his attention.

  Focusing ahead, he saw his father’s truck, still parked where he’d left it. A knife edge of loss cut through him. Taking a long, deep breath, he allowed the sorrow to flow, releasing it with a burst of will. Even in death, there was a purpose, and in accepting it, he would find harmony.

  His own truck was parked a bit farther down, under a tree. Taking a sledgehammer from the back, he began his work, making a hole in the north side of the hogan to allow the spirits inside to exit in the required direction.