As they traveled south down the long, lonely stretch of highway, Ella leaned back. Traveling great distances was as much a part of the reservation as summer thunderstorms that evaporated before they ever reached the ground. Today’s trip was taking them deeper into the Navajo Nation, across the state line and to the tribe’s capital and government center, Window Rock, Arizona.
“Remember the reporter who’s been hanging around the station?” Justine asked.
“Norm Hattery, right?”
“Yeah. While you were speaking to Teeny, I heard from my sister, Jayne. That reporter’s sure resourceful. He found out that Jayne and Marie Lonewolf are friends and since he hasn’t been able to find either Marie or Adam’s parents, he’s following up with family friends and trying to locate them that way. Jayne told him that they’re probably holed up somewhere to get some privacy, and that talking to people about Adam now isn’t going to get him far because the Diné don’t speak of the recently deceased.”
“How did Norm track down the Lonewolf family’s friends? Do you have any idea where he’s getting his information?”
“From what Jayne said, Norm has been going out with Mavis Neskahi.”
“Joe’s sister?” she asked surprised. “Ah, now I get it. She works at the hospital, doesn’t she? In the business office.”
Justine nodded. “Admissions. Jayne made it a point to go talk to Mavis and warned her that she’s being used, but Mavis told Jayne to back off. Jayne wasn’t about to do that, and kept pumping her for information. Eventually she found out that Mavis had met Norm in the elevator the day the wounded were brought in. Mavis also admitted that she’s gone out with Norm for meals a couple of times since then, but insisted that she’s done nothing wrong. She said they weren’t dates or anything like that, just for lunch and dinner.”
“I have a bad feeling about this. . . .”
“So did my sister. Jayne kept pressuring her, and managed to find out that Norm had heard the helicopter take off from the hospital while everyone was at the press conference. Since he picked up a call on his scanner for that time interval, he’d asked Mavis later who’d been transported. Mavis told him somebody had died and let it go at that. She used that as an example of how careful she was about giving out information.”
“So Norm must have instantly assumed it was Adam because of the timing,” Ella said with a nod. “We have to talk to Mavis and make sure she understands how easy it is for an experienced reporter to get answers even when she doesn’t reply directly. But let’s not mention this to Joe. It’ll just create more problems.”
“He already knows. Joe saw them together and nearly exploded. He knows precisely what Norm’s trying to do, so he cornered Hattery and warned him to steer clear of his sister.”
“That may have made things worse,” Ella said, reaching for her phone, intending to call Joe. Then, changing her mind, put it away. Some things were better said in person.
“How much do you think Norm’s managed to put together?” Justine asked her.
“I’m sure he now suspects that Adam’s not really dead, and may have other sources that can tell him where the helicopter didn’t go—like to any off-base hospital within flight range. If he’s smart enough, and has enough contacts, he’ll eventually find out that Angel Hawk landed at the Air Force base, not the public terminal, in Albuquerque.”
“Sounds like he gets the same kind of gut feelings we do when we’re close to something important,” Justine said. “If Hattery’s sensing a big story now, there’s no way he’s going to back off.”
Ella leaned back in her seat. “The main problem with this case is that all the players, including Kevin, are holding back on us at some level. We need to identify what’s pertinent to the case and set everything else aside.”
“So where do we start?” Justine asked.
“With the cash. We need to follow the money. We have to pinpoint where it came from and where it was going. Adam can’t help us with that, so we have to concentrate on the people Adam works for, or had contact with, and push them hard. We also have to figure out who has the most to gain by taking Adam—or Kevin—out of the picture. This wasn’t a robbery—it was a hit. So we’ll start by talking to Billy Garnenez, who’s one of Adam’s most important local contacts.”
The drive was uneventful, and they arrived at the tribal government offices among the beautiful, piñon-covered sandstone mesas south of the Chuska Range. The complex, overlooked by the massive Window Rock formation, was quite modest considering it served the largest tribe in the country. The Navajo Nation itself was larger than some states. Finding Garnenez’s office was easy, and they were soon seated there.
Billy leaned back in his chair, his expression sober. “All the tribal employees have been looking for a way to honor our fallen hero’s service to his country and the Navajo Nation. Do you have any suggestions?”
“The best way to honor him is to help us find the people responsible for what happened,” Ella answered. “I know it’s not in keeping with traditional beliefs to discuss him so openly this soon after . . . but we have a duty.”
He opened his hands in a gesture of assent.
“I know that he’d been serving as a lobbyist for the tribe these past few months,” Ella continued. “In your opinion, how successful was he at that job?”
“He was the perfect tribal representative. He could open any door on reputation alone. He also had a very sharp intellect and knew instinctively how to make the most out of every opportunity. Once the family currently on the project site is either removed by the tribe or compensated, there is nothing to keep the Prickly Weed Project from moving full speed ahead, thanks largely to his efforts. The deal was closed the day after the attack. What’s sad is that he’ll never know that now.”
“It was my understanding that IFT wanted far more than what the tribe was able to offer them,” Ella said.
“There were bumps in the road,” he admitted. “But all that’s history now. With IFT on board, we can go on to the next phase of the planning.”
“What finally broke the impasse?” Ella asked. “I understand funding was the major stumbling block, and there was no more money to sweeten the deal.”
“Business negotiations can be difficult sometimes,” Billy said, hedging her question, then standing. “I’m sorry, but I’ve got to leave if I’m going to make it to my next meeting. The Prickly Weed Project is only one of several new investments the Navajo Nation is currently exploring.”
He ushered them out of his office quickly, then closed the door. Ella glanced at Justine. “We’ve been given the brush-off, partner.”
“Yep, that’s the way it felt to me, too.”
“Well, since we’re already in Window Rock, let’s go by Councilman Begaye’s office,” Ella said.
The office building was close enough that they could walk, and it was still pretty cool outside here among the mesas. “There’s something I still can’t reconcile,” Ella said, lost in thought as they walked down the sidewalk side by side. “Why was Adam bringing that money back from Washington? It makes far more sense to assume the cash had been meant for someone at IFT. Bribes are a worldwide tradition when it comes to greasing wheels in business and government.”
“Maybe IFT paid Adam, though I can’t think of any reason for them to do that,” Justine said.
“A crooked hero. . . . I sure hope we’re wrong about that.” Ella paused, then added, “Have you looked into this company, Industrial Futures Technology?”
“Yes, I have. Basically, they’re clean, with no lawsuits, government inquiries, or hint of scandals. They do business all over the country. With the big push for alternate energy solutions, they’ve recently moved their corporate headquarters to the Washington, D.C., area.”
“It makes sense. That’s where many of the big energy projects begin, so why not? Do they have anything to do with casinos or gambling?”
“No. They’re a solid part of the science and engineering business com
munity. Their current focus is on testing and implementing alternative energy solutions—wind, geothermal, ethanol, you name it,” Justine said.
They were coming up the steps of the council office building when Abigail Yellowhair came out the door. Ella wasn’t surprised to see her least-favorite Plant Watcher. The day hadn’t been going well anyway.
“Abigail, good morning,” Justine said with enthusiasm. “We’re all a little far from home today, aren’t we?”
“Justine, and Ella, good morning. Working on your investigation, I hope? I’m so sorry to hear that Sergeant Lonewolf’s killers are still on the loose. Those men you went up against yesterday—they got away again, right, Ella?”
Ella held her tongue—reluctantly. Although Abigail’s tone was neutral, the implications were snarky, to say the least.
“At least we have a name to go with one of those suspects,” Justine said.
“The rest of the details are being withheld as we pursue the new lead,” Ella said, cutting her partner off. “Are you here to meet with anyone in particular, Mrs. Yellowhair? Our own councilman does have an office in Shiprock. . . .”
“Just touching bases with an old friend. But don’t let me keep you.” She nodded to Justine, then strode away.
“Okay, what’s up?” Justine asked as Abigail hurried off. “I know you two don’t get along, but why the sudden surge of hostility?”
“I got the feeling that she’s disappointed I dodged bullets again. You know that she still blames me for what happened to her family, don’t you?” Ella said, opening the door to the small lobby.
“You’re way too hard on her, Ella. That woman has been through a lot, and she’s had to toughen up just to survive,” Justine said. “Despite Blalock’s description of her as a ‘she wolf,’ she wasn’t always that way. When I met Abby years ago, she still had a kind heart.”
“You’re the one with the kind heart now, partner,” Ella said quietly. “Try to find out who she came to see.”
“I’ll ask around.”
Ella stopped and studied the sign on the wall which indicated the office numbers of the various council members. “Now let’s get back to business.”
They spent the next hour trying to locate Councilman Begaye. First, they stopped by his office. There, they were told by his staff that he’d left after his meeting with Mrs. Yellowhair, but they’d be able to find him at the telecommunication commission office. Once they arrived there, they were told that Begaye had just left, but they’d be able to find him at the Division of General Services. The story repeated itself two more times.
“Billy must have warned him that we’re in town. He’s obviously ducking us. We could spend all morning going around in circles. Let’s head back to Shiprock,” Ella said. “We need to gather up everyone on the team and pool our information.”
“Well, at least one of your questions was answered. Mrs. Yellowhair was the last person to meet with Councilman Begaye before he stepped out,” Justine added, starting the engine and pulling out into the street.
“She’s one of the Prickly Weed investors, and with the business losses she’s rumored to have taken the last few years, she’s probably keeping in close touch with the project leaders to protect her investment. You notice that she’s dressing down? A year ago, she wouldn’t be out in public wearing anything less than a thousand-dollar suit.”
“You really dislike her, don’t you?”
“It’s more of a trust issue, cuz. But yeah, okay, she wouldn’t be my first choice as a companion on a deserted island. In fact, she wouldn’t even make the list.”
“Who would you pick to be stranded with on a deserted island?” Justine teased. “Ford, Kevin, or Teeny?”
“Actually, I’d rather have Two. Dogs offer unconditional love and a lifetime of loyalty in exchange for a scratch behind the ears, a drink from the water hose, and a bowlful of kibbles.”
As Justine drove east toward home, Ella used the wonderful scent of piñon pine trees drifting in through the window to help her relax. Leaning back, she sorted through her thoughts. The deal with IFT had gone through according to Garnenez, so the cash couldn’t have been tied to that.
“That seventy-five thousand . . . we need to find out once and for all who that was meant for—and who bankrolled it,” Ella said, thinking out loud.
“Joe and Benny have been looking through Marie’s and Adam’s bank accounts. Marie gave us permission. Maybe they’ve come up with something.”
“When we get back, I’m going to need some time to talk to Joe in private,” Ella said.
“About Mavis?” Justine asked.
Ella nodded.
“Joe’s mom and sister are living with him at the moment. Did you know that?” Seeing Ella shake her head, she continued. “His mother’s house got damaged when an irrigation ditch overflowed. I found out about it when Mavis came to the station looking for Joe, and she and I talked for a bit.”
“How old is Mavis?” Ella asked.
“Nineteen or twenty. She’s only worked at the hospital for about six months. It’s her first job out of high school.”
“At that age, someone like Norm might seem like high adventure and romance all rolled into one package,” Ella said.
“Mavis came across as pretty levelheaded. Don’t sell her short.”
“We’ve all been played at one point or another in our lives,” Ella said. “Eventually, we come to our senses, but not before someone’s taken full advantage of the situation.”
“Like that blood-sucking parasite who’s preying on women half his age?”
Ella laughed. “Come to think of it,” she said, growing serious once more, “now that Joe’s got his family at home, he’s going to have to watch what he says. That’s not always easy for a bachelor who’s used to speaking freely on the phone.”
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about on that score, Ella. Joe—Benny, too—are both quiet by nature. Loose lips won’t be a problem.” She paused, then in a softer tone, added, “Benny’s more laid back than Joe, but with both those guys, what you see is what you get. We’ve got a great team.”
There was something about the way Justine’s tone had changed when she’d spoken of Benny that instantly caught Ella’s attention. She glanced at her partner. “Do you and Benny have a thing?”
“No, there’s nothing at all going on between us. He’s the most unromantic man on the planet,” Justine said with a hint of a smile.
“And that’s precisely what interests you.”
“I find someone like Benny—who’s up front about everything—a breath of fresh air.” Glancing at Ella, she continued, “Let me give you an idea of what I mean. Last week the computer in the lab crashed, taking hours of work with it. It was backed up, but restoring it all again took a lot of time. Then I spilled coffee all over some papers on my desk. It was a piece-of-crap morning, so I left Benny in the lab, and stormed outside, needing a break. Benny followed me out about twenty minutes later, holding a mug of freshly brewed coffee. He picked a sunflower that had been growing near the door, then shoved the coffee and the flower in my face, and said, ‘Here. Cheer up.’ Then he went back inside.”
Ella laughed. “Mr. Romance!”
“Yeah, but it was sweet.”
They were forty minutes south of Shiprock, just passing the Newcomb Chapter house, when her cell phone rang. Ella recognized Blalock’s voice instantly.
“I’ve got a positive ID on O’Riley’s partner. I’m working on getting a current address, but the man’s moved around a lot.”
“What have you got so far?”
“His name’s Carl Perry. He’s ex-Army, from the same platoon as O’Riley. He was booted out with a dishonorable discharge for sexual assault of a woman soldier. Once we have a twenty on him, bringing him in is going to be tough. He qualified expert on the range, and barely missed the cut for sniper school. My gut tells me that he’ll be armed to the teeth.”
“We’re going to need SWAT,” s
he said, “and vests.”
“Yeah and to stack the odds in our favor, we should make our move at four in the morning when he’s likely to be asleep.”
“On or off the Rez, I want to be there for the takedown,” Ella said.
“You’ve got it.”
Placing her phone away, Ella filled Justine in. “Let’s get our team updated. Looks like we’re in for another long day.”
TWELVE
It was after one when they walked through the doors of the station. Ella glanced at her partner. “Find Joe and have him meet me at my office in ten minutes. I’m going to talk to Big Ed.”
“All right,” Justine replied.
“Also, I want the whole team in my office in a half hour.”
Ella turned down the hall and headed to Big Ed’s office. The chief was just finishing a phone conversation when she knocked on his door and stepped inside.
Ella updated him. “Once we get an address for Carl Perry, I’m going to take part in the takedown and sit in on the questioning.”
Big Ed leaned back in his seat. “Do whatever it takes to clear Adam—or get me the information that conclusively proves he’s guilty. The pressure’s really coming down on this one, Shorty,” he said. “And I don’t want to hear that the Farmington reporter broke the story before we closed our case.”
“You’ve already heard that he’s been talking to Sergeant Neskahi’s sister, haven’t you?” she asked, studying his expression.
“Yeah. Then he spoke to my wife,” he said. “He found out where I lived and showed up on our doorstep,” he added, biting off each syllable.
Ella could feel his anger. She didn’t blame him. “How did Hattery get your address?”
“I don’t know, but if I find out that one of our people—or a relative of theirs—gave it to him, I promise you, heads will roll.”
“None of us here would ever disclose that kind of information. You know that, Chief. But depending on how he phrased things when he spoke to Joe’s sister . . .”
“Pretending to know more than he did, then letting the subject fill in the gaps,” Big Ed said with a nod. “Yeah, I’m way ahead of you.”
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