A Wedding in Willow Valley (Willow Valley Women)

by Joan Elliott Pickart

“Your stubborn Navajo side is showing, Miss,” Jane said, frowning. “You’re reminding me of your father at the moment.”

  “Fine,” Laurel said, lifting her chin.

  “Eat your soup.” Jane paused. “I really like your vehicle.”

  “Me, too, except…” Laurel threw up her hands. “To top off this really crummy, awful, sad, sad day, it even rained on my pretty new red van. And wearing a red jacket while driving a red van is definitely corny, not cute. And I’m going to go to bed and cry for twenty-two years. Good night, Mother.”

  After tossing and turning in bed for what seemed like an eternity, Ben finally dozed off in a light, troubled sleep, only to have the telephone ring and jar him back awake. He fumbled in the dark for the receiver.

  “Sheriff Skeeter,” he said groggily.

  “Sheriff? This is Bobby. Sorry to wake you.”

  Ben snapped on the lamp next to the bed and sat up as he heard the voice of one of his deputies.

  “What’s the problem, Bobby?” he said, his grip on the receiver tightening.

  “There’s been another break-in at one of the empty summer homes. The Madison place. I’m here now and…this one is different, Sheriff. It doesn’t even make sense because… Could you come out here? I think you’d better see this, not just read my report on it in the morning.”

  “I’m on my way, Bobby,” Ben said, tossing back the blankets on the bed.

  Chapter Six

  To save time, Ben had pulled on the same clothes he’d worn to Flagstaff rather than bothering with his official uniform. It was still raining as he drove into the driveway at the Madison home, and the wind was blowing even more fiercely. He made a dash for the door of the house. Bobby’s patrol car was in the driveway above where Ben had parked, and another one was in front of the large house.

  Inside the nicely furnished house Ben was immediately greeted by Bobby, who told him that another deputy, Mike, was outside checking for footprints, which probably wouldn’t produce any results because of the rain.

  “Yeah, okay,” Ben said. “So what’s so different about this break-in, Bobby?”

  “I’ll show you,” Bobby said, starting across the spacious living room. “He came in through the kitchen window, smashed it and undid the lock, just like the other break-ins.”

  In the gleaming kitchen Ben frowned as Bobby swept one arm in the direction of the floor beneath the double sink below the broken window.

  “See?” Bobby said. “He stacked everything up. VCR, DVD player, microwave, all that stuff, but it’s still sitting there. And look there on the floor. That’s blood, Sheriff, but there’s no blood around the window or on any of the glass, so he didn’t cut himself coming in. Also, the canister set from the counter is broken there on the floor, and the toaster and coffeemaker are hanging off the counter by the cords.”

  Ben pushed his Stetson up with a thumb and folded his arms across his chest as he studied the scene before him. He nodded slowly.

  “Okay. Tell me what you’re thinking, Bobby,” he said finally.

  “Well, sir, it looks to me like a fight took place in here. There were two guys, not one, and for some reason they got into an argument and duked it out. Why they left the loot behind, I really don’t know.

  “There’s quite a bit of blood. I’d guess maybe a bloody nose? I’d hate to think it was worse—you know, a knife fight or whatever. I don’t know, Sheriff Skeeter. This doesn’t make much sense to me.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short, Bobby,” Ben said. “I think you’ve sized things up pretty well. There’s obviously two people involved in these break-ins, and something happened in here tonight to cause them to go after each other. Let’s get some samples of this blood and dust for fingerprints, like we did with the other houses, which got us nowhere.”

  “Yes, sir,” Bobby said.

  Another deputy came into the kitchen wearing a yellow slicker that was dripping water.

  “Any luck, Mike?” Ben said.

  “No, sir. Any footprints there might have been out there are washed away by the rain. Man, that wind is still whipping the leaves from the trees. That is going to cause such money problems for the merchants in town.”

  “Yeah,” Ben said, staring again at the equipment piled on the floor. “Okay. Mike, find something to board up that window with. Bobby, you get samples of the blood and dust for prints. I’ll call the Madisons in the morning and tell them what happened. No sense in disturbing their sleep, because what’s done is done.”

  The two deputies nodded.

  “I want the details about this break-in kept quiet,” Ben said. “I’ll release a statement to the paper that there’s been another break-in and we’re following several leads and blah, blah, blah. I don’t want anything leaking about the blood, the fact that we think there were two guys in here, none of that.”

  “Got it,” Mike said, then frowned. “Why?”

  “Because,” Ben said, “I want these two yo-yos to think we were too dumb to figure out there was a fight in here. It will appear that we’ve decided he cut himself on the jagged glass coming in through the window. I’ll fill in the other guys when they come on duty tomorrow.

  “Without being obvious about it, keep an eye out for anyone with fresh bruises, probably on their face, possibly on their knuckles. If this blood is from a nose, that nose is swollen and broken noses cause black eyes more often than not.”

  “But if there’s a knife involved?” Mike said.

  “Then it won’t be that easy to detect. I’ll check with Doc Willie to see if anyone came in with a knife wound but— No, the knife thing isn’t working for me. Think about the stuff they’re taking. These aren’t big-time operators. They’re ripping off cheap goods that are easy to sell. I’m betting it’s kids, teenagers, and they slugged it out over…over something.”

  “Makes sense,” Mike said, nodding.

  “I’ll be at the high school in the morning, just hanging out by the front door as the students go in,” Ben continued. “I’ll get there early enough to see the kids getting off the bus from the rez, too. After class starts, I’ll check with the principal and see who’s absent if I didn’t spot what I’m looking for.”

  “Oh,” Bobby said, nodding. “That’s really smart.” He laughed. “Which is why you’re the sheriff and I’m one of the deputies who takes orders from you.”

  “You did a fine job tonight, Bobby,” Ben said. “You, too, Mike. I think we’re definitely closer to catching these jerks. I didn’t really believe there were two of them because the stuff taken was small, easily carried by one person.” He chuckled. “I blew that one. Okay. I’m out of here. Remember, mum’s the word on the details we’re not divulging. Any questions?”

  “Just one,” Mike said. “Did Laurel want a red vehicle? Or was that the only color they had on the lot for that size van?”

  “Man, oh, man,” Ben said, shaking his head. “You gotta love living in Willow Valley. Sneeze and ten people say bless you. Try this— Laurel bought a red van because it matched her jacket.”

  “Whoa,” Bobby said. “That is really a girl thing, isn’t it? I will never understand women. Not even if I live as long as Grandfather.”

  “I was kidding,” Ben said, shaking his head. “She wanted red, she bought red, then realized it matched her jacket. But as far as understanding women? It isn’t going to happen.” He paused. “Have either of you heard anything about Grandfather’s health?”

  Both deputies shook their heads.

  “All right,” Ben said. “Write up your reports on this break-in before you go off duty after you finish up here. I’ll see you later.”

  “Yes, sir,” the pair said in unison.

  “Good work tonight, gentlemen,” Ben said, then strode from the room.

  The next morning, when Ben leaned against the wall next to the front doors of the high school, he hunched his shoulders against a chill wind. It had stopped raining, and a pale blue sky with a smattering of clouds that appeared as thou
gh they might still have rain to offer made the day rather gloomy, which matched Ben’s mood.

  He hated the idea that a couple of the students who were just beginning to arrive at the school had messed up their lives by breaking into the summer homes, Ben thought. But all the evidence pointed toward kids out to get some extra money.

  He’d spoken to the principal upon arriving to let the man know why the sheriff would be stationed by the front door. The same principal who had been in charge when he and Laurel had gone to school here.

  Man, this building was ancient and was really showing the wear and tear of time. It needed to be refurbished from top to bottom. Better yet, a new high school should be built from scratch. Well, that wasn’t going to happen because there just wasn’t that kind of money in Willow Valley and the rez.

  High school, Ben mused, nodding at a stream of students who looked at him questioningly as they strolled into the building. Those had been the days when he and Laurel had believed that everything they planned would come true. It was as simple as that. They wanted it, it would happen. They’d been so much in love, had their future life together all figured out and…

  Don’t go there, Skeeter, he told himself. It served no purpose to dwell on the past, on the might-have-beens, on what was supposed to have taken place. But, God, to think that it had all fallen apart because he and Laurel hadn’t communicated well on the subject of her wanting to be a psychologist— Forget it. Just forget it.

  “Hi, Sheriff Skeeter,” a pretty young girl said. “Are you doing a homeland security check or something?”

  “Or something,” Ben said, smiling. “Nothing fancy. Just routine.”

  “That’s what they say on TV,” the girl said, “but it never is just routine. You’ve never stood by the door like this before.”

  “I’m just reminiscing about the days I spent here when I was your age,” Ben said.

  “Really? This building is that old? You went to high school here?”

  “Well, that sure made my day,” Ben said, shaking his head. “You’d better go on in. It’s cold out here.”

  “Okay,” she said. “Did you see how many of the pretty leaves were blown off the trees? My folks are really upset about it because the tourists won’t have anything to come see. Grim. Brrr. I’m freezing. Bye.”

  Ben nodded, then straightened and narrowed his eyes as the bus from the reservation pulled up in front and the students began to clamor off the rickety vehicle.

  As much as he hated to admit it, Ben thought, he was betting his buck that the break-ins had been pulled off by kids from the rez. The level of poverty out there was getting worse instead of better, and the temptation to break the law to put money in pockets was high.

  A dozen Navajo students glanced at Ben, then went inside, with a steady stream behind them coming up the cracked sidewalk.

  Ben took a step forward and his heart began to pound as he saw Dove’s brother, Eagle, stop dead in his tracks and look around frantically. Eagle, who had two black eyes and a puffy nose, turned and ran back down the walkway.

  “Eagle,” Ben yelled. “Hold it right there.”

  Eagle kept running and Ben took off after him. Eagle was fast, but Ben was faster and caught the boy at the far end of the school yard, grabbing him by the back of his jacket, spinning him around and pushing him chest-first against the chain-link fence. A group of students stopped and stared at what was taking place.

  “Get your hands off me,” Eagle said.

  Ben turned Eagle around and flattened one hand on the boy’s chest. Normally Eagle Clearwater was a good-looking kid who had a bevy of girls trying to get his attention. Today, though, there was nothing handsome about his beat-up face.

  “Take it easy, Eagle,” Ben said. “I just want to ask you a couple questions.”

  “I’m going to be late for class,” Eagle said sullenly. “You going to do my detention for me?”

  “What happened to your face?” Ben said, keeping his hand splayed on Eagle’s chest.

  “I ran into the edge of my bedroom door.”

  “It that what you told Dove?” Ben said.

  “Yeah, and she believed me.”

  “Well, I don’t,” Ben said. “I missed seeing the rest of the boys from the rez get off the bus because you took off. Who else looks like you do this morning, Eagle?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Eagle said, staring down at the ground. “I didn’t see that my bedroom door was half open because it was dark. Okay? Can I go now?”

  “Nope.” Ben sighed. “Aw, man, Eagle, what were you thinking? You’ve got straight A’s, you’re headed for a career in the Army and you throw it all away by breaking into the summer homes?”

  “I didn’t, Sheriff Skeeter,” Eagle said, meeting Ben’s gaze. “I swear to you I didn’t do that.” His puffy, discolored eyes filled with tears. “I’m graduating in the spring, have my future all laid out. And besides, I would never do something so crummy and upset Dove. I love her. She’s the best, you know?”

  “I know,” Ben said quietly, crossing his arms over his chest. “She’s so proud of you, Eagle. Okay, buddy, what really happened to your face?”

  Eagle shook his head. “I can’t tell you.”

  “Fine,” Ben said, his jaw tightening. “Then I’ll tell you. You and one of your pals have been doing the break-ins at the summer homes. All of them. Last night, for some reason, you and said chum got into a fight about whatever at the Madison place and beat each other to a pulp. Who is he, Eagle? I’ll find out, you know, by looking for someone who has a messed-up face like yours.”

  “You’ve got it all wrong,” Eagle said, shaking his head and sniffling.

  “Well, set me straight. Here, or down at the station. Your choice.”

  The school bell rang, and the students who had gathered to watch the excitement between Sheriff Skeeter and Eagle Clearwater took off at a run for the front door of the building.

  “I didn’t do anything wrong,” Eagle said.

  “Okay, let’s go,” Ben said, taking Eagle’s arm.

  “You’re not going to call Dove, are you?”

  “Yep,” Ben said, opening the rear door of the patrol car. “She’s your legal guardian and should be there before I question you any further.”

  “Oh, man, oh, man,” Eagle said, sliding onto the back seat of the car. “You just don’t understand.”

  “No, I sure don’t,” Ben said wearily.

  The small brick building housing the Willow Valley Sheriff’s Department was in about the same shape as the high school. It was old, the heating was iffy at best and the metal desks and leather chairs were ancient. The rear of the building had four holding cells with rusted bars. Ben placed Eagle in one of the cells.

  In his twelve-feet-square office Ben sank onto his cracked leather chair behind his dented desk and called the Clearwater home. No one answered. He drummed his fingers on the desk, trying to imagine where Dove might have gone so early in the morning.

  To check on Grandfather? he wondered. Did she come into town with some of her crafts to place in the shops? The stores weren’t open yet. Okay, what if she brought the stuff in with the intention of having breakfast at the Windsong Café while waiting for the stores to open for business? It was worth a try.

  Ben dialed the number he knew by heart.

  “Windsong Café,” Laurel said cheerfully, picking up the telephone halfway through the third ring.

  “It’s Ben, Laurel,” he said, once again recognizing her voice. “Is Dove there by any chance? If she is, don’t let on that I asked.”

  “Yes, she’s here,” Laurel said, frowning as she lowered her voice. “She’s having some tea and toast while she’s waiting for the shops to… What’s wrong, Ben? Why are you looking for Dove?”

  “I need her to come to the station,” Ben said. “Look, is it really busy in the café this morning? This is going to be tough on Dove, and it would be good if you were with her for moral support. Can you
leave there?”

  “Yes, of course, if Dove needs me,” Laurel said, making certain no one could hear what she was saying. “But you’re scaring me to death, Ben. What’s going on?”

  “It’s Eagle,” Ben said. “I think he’s in trouble. Big time.”

  “Oh, no, no, there must be some mistake,” Laurel said, shaking her head.

  “Just get Dove over here, would you?” Ben said.

  “Yes. Right away.”

  “Thanks, Laurel,” Ben said, then hung up the receiver.

  Laurel took her mother aside and explained what had transpired during the telephone conversation with Ben.

  “Ben wants me to be with Dove because this is going to be so upsetting for her,” Laurel whispered.

  “Of course,” Jane said. “But I can’t believe that Eagle has done anything wrong. I’m going to be a wreck until I hear from you. Go, sweetheart. Don’t worry about things here at the café. We’ll do fine.”

  Laurel nodded, then hurried to where Dove was sitting and slid into the booth across the table from her.

  “Taking a break?” Dove said, smiling.

  “Not exactly,” Laurel said. “Dove, Ben just called and… Stay calm. Something has taken place that makes it appear that…that Eagle is in trouble.”

  Dove’s eyes widened. “What kind of trouble?”

  “I don’t know,” Laurel said, shrugging. “You and I are going to go find out. Come on. I’ll drive.”

  “Ben has Eagle at the sheriff’s office?” Dove said, sliding out of the booth. “This is crazy. Eagle went to school. I offered to drive him because I was coming into town, but he said he’d rather ride the bus. I guess it’s not cool to be seen being dropped off by your big sister and— Oh, God, Laurel, what kind of trouble?”

  “Come on,” Laurel said, starting to walk away.

  “I have to pay for my tea and toast,” Dove said, not moving.

  “Forget that,” Laurel said, retracing her steps and grabbing Dove by the arm.