Summer Flash Burn

by Unger, Erin;

  And then the awkward stares and silence made me want to jump out of my skin. “I need to find Ava. I’ll see you later. I can text you when I’m available.”

  He too began to shift back and forth. “Yeah, text me. Bye.”

  I shook out my hands as I made a beeline for the museum. All the reasons I should call him and tell him to forget about our “talk” tonight shot like bullets through my mind. How could I allow this to happen with a client?

  26

  Shauna

  Christopher would not stop marching across my mind like a soldier working to get home on furlough. Was there any point in pushing him away anymore?

  With her all-knowing glare, Ava halted my musings as fast as a skunk aimed in my direction would make me run.

  At the souvenir shop, I tried to keep up with Ava as she questioned every tribal member who walked in and out of the employee lounge. Most of them were too suspicious of us to talk, but a few of the younger workers had no problem telling us what they knew, which wasn’t much.

  I breathed in the herbal scent of homemade soaps and an incense burner harbored somewhere out of sight.

  After a twenty-something guy walked away from us, Ava spun on me. “What’s going on? You’re being way too quiet and not your normal pushy self.”

  Blurt it out. “Christopher asked me to lunch.”

  The usual smug glare didn’t take its place on her face. “Nice.” Ava whipped her phone out and speed-dialed Jillian. “Shauna’s going out to lunch with Christopher, so she can’t help us research as you planned.”

  Great. Hide the gossip in true intentions. I poked Ava. “Hey. I’ll be doing my own research. We’re talking to Ms. Renney first.”

  Jillian’s voice carried through the phone, and I heard her as if she was on speaker. “We’ll gladly send her off. That way I can get more done without her fidgeting beside me.”

  I grabbed the phone from my partner. “Well, that’s not nice. I can cancel.”

  “Ha-ha. I knew you were eavesdropping. Listen, go have a good time. You hate the computer research side of this job so let us handle it for now. But if it makes you feel better, you could interrogate some locals while you’re out too. Then it doesn’t have to be a real date ’cause I know how much you don’t believe in seeing clients. We need to find a tie between Tony and Albert Slaiger anyway.”

  I sputtered. “Jillian, honestly. I never said it was a date.”

  “It is. I see how he looks at you.” My partner laughed.

  I handed the phone back to Ava and grimaced.

  Ava hit end-call. “We better get back on track. Get it? Ha-ha.” Ava passed the cashier and held up her I.D. “I called a couple hours ago. Chief Johns is expecting us.”

  The cashier in a buckskin dress nodded and then picked up a phone from under the counter.

  We waited to be ushered to Queenie’s office.

  When William Hicks brought us to the cheap, wood-paneled room, once again the frowns that chiseled deep lines into the faces of most of the protectors of the chief—as I liked to think of them—made roadmaps on his face too.

  I ignored his sour façade and took in the wall of articles and awards. The space had a modern vibe, no dreamcatchers or paintings of Tribal symbols, yet Queenie’s heritage remained evident in understated ways. Queenie turned in her seat and straightened a folder. “Hello, ladies.”

  We greeted her and sat in the rust-colored easy chairs flanking the chief’s desk.

  Ava got straight to the point. “Your people are very unhappy we’re visiting. I can assure you, as I said last time we met, we’re a neutral third party in this.”

  Queenie sat back and steepled her hands. “Don’t worry about them. They’re looking out for me, that’s all.” She glanced away then back at us. “And I apologize for suggesting a donation last time. I don’t need any money from you, and I wouldn’t want anything to be misconstrued between us or the law. That’s why I called you here. You want to talk, let’s talk.”

  I schooled my face. Good, the chief wasn’t bought with money. That would’ve been detrimental to her character witness.

  Ava began the questioning but she nodded in my direction to continue. This trip was supposed to be my induction into becoming the main interrogation person for the team, but I had a lot to learn from her still. Ava could read body language like a lie detector of sorts. Would I ever be that good?

  I tried to keep my voice from shaking. “Please tell us about your involvement in the rioting event on…” I looked through the papers Ava had brought in and handed me. “September 9, 1989?”

  She rolled her eyes. “I won’t apologize for doing something I believe was right. We went to the courthouse and held a demonstration. Some of these backwoods people decided they didn’t agree with our…position and started a riot.” Leaning on one elbow, Queenie gave us a sharp stare. “I got my point across.”

  Interesting how she didn’t try to deny or lessen her involvement. “And the tribe received their recognition from the state in 1989?”

  “Correct.”

  “So it paid off.”

  Queenie bit her lip and took her weight off her elbow. “I guess there are other ways to show what you believe in—but I can’t say the riot didn’t work in God’s plan.”

  “Like mother earth?”

  She grimaced. “No, like God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. It seems like most Indians believe in some benevolent spirit of nature, but I recognize the real power of life. Do you?”

  Bold. A born leader. Never had I imagined the conversation going in this direction. Most people believed in separation of business and God to the detriment of the country. “You would be right, we are fellow believers. I’m glad to hear you are.”

  “I wish my tribe would follow suit, but,” she waved her hand, “it’s been difficult in that arena. A lot of them hold true to the trinity of the three mothers.”

  The long-held belief in nature controlling the lives of humans had come down through so many generations it seemed to be almost ingrained in Native Americans. My heart hurt for the lost.

  I got the conversation back on track. “Can you tell us what you know about the fire?”

  “Yes. I believe the source started in someone’s field. It only took a couple days for over a hundred acres to burn in the national forest, which in turn, became over a thousand. Strange to think but forest fires are most common in the spring. I was here running the village, doing tours and talks that day. Almost anyone can testify to seeing me here.”

  “Mr. Newen was discovered on March 30. According to reports, the Monacan village was closed down due to the fire being so close. Can you walk us through your day?”

  Swinging her chair back and forth a bit, Queenie shrugged. “We were concerned for the fire destroying all our hard work. Tony Slaiger and at least twenty other workers were out here keeping an eye on the place. If I remember correctly, it’d rained all day, a blessing we were all very thankful for. By seven o’clock William Hicks and Sid took the evening shift here. The forestry department was considering an evacuation of the area, but we wanted to wait it out.” She tapped her lip. “I had a meeting with my crew and it ran late. Then I caught up on paperwork and went to bed around two in the morning.”

  I shifted in my seat. “After your daughter went to bed? Can anyone else vouch for your time at home?”

  She breathed through her nose. “Yes. I also have another family staying with me. I visited with them before heading to bed.” A pause. “Listen, I had respect for Mr. Newen. We didn’t see eye to eye but I wouldn’t imagine wanting him or anyone dead. I have worked so hard for my tribe. I wouldn’t jeopardize that over a small piece of property.”

  Her alibi was pretty tight.

  It was interesting that the original owner would give them a piece of land on the other side of town. “Why did Mr. Grayson donate the property to your tribe? Any particular reason?”

  “He thought he had an ancestor with Monacan blood. Couldn’t prove
it but without any children to pass the land to, he wanted us to have it. Or at least, that’s what I was told.”

  “So it wasn’t believed to be Native American ground?”

  “Not that I know.”

  Ava drew a little closer to the desk and propped her chin on her hand. “I’m surprised he didn’t work out the right-of-way issue with Mr. Newen first.”

  “I guess he assumed Mr. Newen would do the right thing,” Queenie barely managed to contain her exasperation. “But his shop and parking lot covered almost the entire front side of the property. He said to give right-of-way he’d lose four of his seven parking spaces, and his increase in customers over the past several years had caused more than one accident. He couldn’t risk getting sued because of it.”

  Ava nodded. “The courts recorded the necessity of him having the available parking spaces.”

  Queenie’s mouth tightened.

  A good time to move on before Queenie shut down and stopped answering our questions. “How were products created by tribe’s members delivered to Mr. Newen? Your tribe sold a large amount of items to the shop before the land dispute happened.”

  “Yes, we’d had a long-standing sales relationship with Gary. Until he threatened to stop selling our products.”

  That would hurt the livelihood of quite a few. “Could we get a list of the sellers?”

  “I’m not at liberty to give you that information.” Tapping her heeled shoe on the carpeted floor, Queenie looked at the pile of papers and then her computer.

  We were running out of her good graces. “How do you feel about Tony Slaiger? He has quite a record, but he seems to be one of your main supporters and protectors.”

  She blinked and her gaze shot up to mine. “Everyone deserves a second chance. I’ve recruited him, and he hasn’t been in trouble with the law in three years. I’d say that’s progress.” Her hands dropped onto the arms of the chair. “And I trust he’s changed.”

  Her emphatic answer meant I better get to the next important question before Queenie ended the conversation. “Is there any member of the tribe, or even the locals in town, who make you suspicious? Maybe a suspect of the murder?”

  “Hmm. No one I’ve had contact with.” Her gaze fluttered sideways and then to the ceiling. “If I considered one person you should question, I’d say check out Gary’s partner. Seems he’d be my most likely suspect.”

  Oh, we would. Even if Ned Thompson had an alibi, we’d keep our eyes open for any inconsistencies anyway.

  Ava needed to broach the last major question.

  I shot her the go-ahead, and she took over, her tone much gentler than mine had been. “Your daughter…” she waited for Queenie to make eye contact, “she’s had run-ins with the law lately, hasn’t she?”

  Queenie fell against the back of the chair and put her hands to her temples. “How’d you find out about that?”

  “Small town.”

  “No kidding.” She dropped a hand on the desk with a thunk. “I’ve been so busy with this place. The tribe. I don’t know what to do with her. I can’t watch her twenty-four hours a day. That’s why I asked my friend to stay a while with me. She was struggling to hold down a job as a single mom, and I thought it was the perfect solution for both of us… Only Isabelle balked at the constant supervision. She kept skipping school, running out on my friend. I don’t know.” She lowered her chin.

  Ava reached a hand to her, sliding her hand across the table. “I’m sorry.”

  Queenie gave a small smile. “That’s what happens when you aren’t there for them when they need you. I recognize the truth, I won’t deny being a single parent myself puts a whole different spin on parenthood, and I haven’t coped well either.” She blew out a breath. “But I never expected her to steal our statue at the entrance. She was always so involved with the tribe, very grounded to her heritage. When she took it and I figured it out, I knew I’d lost her.” Her eyes didn’t drip with tears but despair carried in her voice. If it hadn’t been for Mom being the chief, the offense could’ve gotten Isabelle time in juvenile detention. “What do you do?”

  Neither Ava nor I had an answer, but the chief’s sadness and frustration were palpable.

  “Well, this may seem like bad timing, but would you mind if we talked to your daughter while we’re in town?” Ava asked.

  Queenie shot forward. “You don’t suspect her, do you?”

  “Of course not.” It wouldn’t do to explain that Isabelle may have more insight into the underside of the tribe than her mother. But she was a minor so we couldn’t approach her without permission.

  I faltered and Ava began to speak, “Every little detail, a piece of gossip, even things that don’t seem important from the most unlikely source might solve our case. It’s not only her but everyone we’re trying to get information from.”

  With a heavy sigh, Queenie stood. “I have a meeting to go to. Go ahead.” She stepped around the side of the desk. “I’ll see you out.”

  Ava help up her phone. “Would you mind giving me your number in case we have any other questions?”

  Queenie stated the number and ushered us to the shop. “Go to Donna at the cash register and get a pass. It’ll get you in anytime you want to come back this year.” The chief gestured to the cashier.

  Ava put her hand out and shook Queenie’s. “Thanks. That’s very kind.”

  Queenie put her index finger up for us to wait. She returned with something in her hand. “This belongs to Christopher Newen. Would you mind returning it?”

  Ava and I eyed each other.

  I was about to get a very interesting story from him at lunch. What in the world had he done? “Sure.”

  The large handle of a pocket knife glimmered as the weapon landed in my hand.

  I arched an eyebrow at Queenie and the chief raised a shoulder but didn’t explain why she had it. Yep, it was going to be more than interesting to get the story out of him.

  If Queenie directed us to her daughter, it’d make our job easier. “Is Isabelle around by any chance?”

  “To my knowledge, she’s working the tradesmen’s shelter.”

  Ava pulled me down the aisle. “If we don’t hurry it’s going to start raining, and she might abandon her post.”

  The clouds were darker and heavier than when we’d arrived as we left the shop, and a blast of cool air brought an almost electrical charge with it. It wasn’t going to start lightning, was it?

  Ava and I walked to the trading post, and I watched some tourists as they passed, rubbing the knife in my pocket as we walked. The hovering clouds of the storm pressed against the mountainside and sent a lot of the tourists scurrying back to their vehicles and away from the Monacan village. Had everyone decided that they couldn't handle a few drops of rain?

  “Ava, can you give me a minute to question her if I give you the signal? This will be a good opportunity to work on my skills.”

  Ava scratched her forehead. “If that’s what you want, I can leave her to your inquisition.”

  It would be the best especially if the girl was as skittish as I imagined she’d be. We bent low as we entered the hut. Even in the shade, the sticky humidity clung to my skin.

  The teen didn’t turn when we entered, but instead continued to mess with the beads on the purse she was making. Gotta love teen attitude.

  “Are you Isabelle?”

  What seemed like minutes later, the girl finally acknowledged us with a roll of her eyes and a toss of her curled hair. “That would be me.”

  I introduced us and showed her my credentials. “I’m sure you’ve heard about us already. We’re here to investigate a murder that happened in the spring.”

  Her gaze froze for the tiniest moment before she dropped the next bead onto the leather string. That meant something. I checked Ava, and she gave a slight nod to keep talking.

  The fair skin of the teen was a big contrast to the copper tones of her mother’s, but no one would deny she shared her mother’s intense eyes. Sh
e, too, wore a buckskin dress but added a little flair of her own to it with a shorter skirt and much longer tassels. Very interesting. “We’ve been talking to everyone, hoping to solve the murder. You don’t mind if we talk to you for a bit, do you?” I gauged the girl’s reaction. Typical teen faux disinterest poured out of her in gobs. “But only if you’re OK with it.”

  Isabelle didn’t react, her face was very stoic. “Well, I don’t know anything.”

  “We have some questions about the forest fire.”

  A quick narrowing of her eyes was enough to show that we had hit another nerve. But just as quick as the look crossed her face it disappeared. Did she know something?

  Wiping the sweat on my brow, I couldn’t decide whether I should use different tactics or not. If I went fast and hard, the teen would likely bolt. But then again, I may’ve misread the expression on her face. Teens were an enigma for sure.

  Isabelle’s hands returned to working the beads into the fringe on the purse in her lap. “What about the fire? What makes you think I know anything about it? All it did was ruin things even more for me—”

  She halted so abruptly, I stopped watching Isabelle’s hands and flicked my gaze to the girl’s face. “How did it ruin things for you?”

  After a few tourists stopped to assess what the girl was doing, they all retreated with the rest of the groups, leaving only a handful behind. I was glad no one stopped and asked questions. It seemed Isabelle would jump at the chance to escape the conversation.

  Lightning streaked from the sky down to the earth mere miles away. I cringed as the crack of thunder followed two seconds later.

  Ava stuffed her hands into her pockets. “Why don’t you tell us what you were doing the night of the fire.” She sent me a wide-eyed stare. What had I missed? I raised my shoulders a fraction but let Ava continue her questioning.

  Would it ever be easy to talk to a teenager?

  “I wasn’t doing anything. I don’t really remember but I’m sure I was working on homework, I’m always doing homework.” Under her breath, she continued, “For my warden of a mother.” She gave a quick shake of her head and lowered it. “And I’m sure I went to bed by ten like I always have to. Besides, I didn’t know about the forest fire for a while. Like, at least a day after it started.”