Charlie Yazzie could see there was more to it than this and his curiosity was aroused. “Okay, Harley, jump in the truck; I don’t have all night, it’s been a long day and I have stuff to take care of at home.”
About halfway to his place Harley started talking and soon had Charlie Yazzie’s full attention.
“Luanne’s out at my place Charlie, and she’s scared.” Harley’s eyes grew wider as he went on, “She says her brother introduced her ta James Erdric and he knew right away she was a druggie, just like Danny. It was her and Erdric and William Crawley that was up at the ruins the night the amulet was stolen. Erdric wanted her involved so he would have something on her that would keep her quiet should it come ta law problems.”
Charlie was having a hard time taking all this in and eyed Harley suspiciously. “And you believe all this Harley?” It almost sounded like the story was being made up as his friend went along.
“Oh, I believe it all right Charlie. Luanne said she didn’t have no place else ta go, that’s why she came to me. You’ll see when you hear for yourself.”
“Does she know you’re telling me all this?”
Harley wrung his hands as he went on, “No, she don’t know, I didn’t know I was going to tell you myself until you showed up at the Doc’s place this afternoon. What else was I supposed to do? I’m telling you she’s afraid.” Harley looked tired and leaned against the side window. “There may be more to this story than she’s saying, Charlie. Luanne says she has no way out now. I’m afraid what she might do to herself.”
Charlie’s mind was racing. The pieces were beginning to fall into place; Luanne had been the key after all. “So what happened with Erdric getting shot? How’d that happen?”
Harley thought a moment before getting back on track, “I was coming ta that. Crawley stayed in his car while Luanne and Erdric went up to the kiva. She says Erdric had been spying on us the whole time, and was sure we’d made a serious find.” Harley licked his lips, rubbed his nose, and became even more agitated, “Crawley wanted ta be there. He had long suspected Erdric had another buyer on the hook and probably had already sold him several choice pieces. According to Luanne, he was determined not ta lose out this time.”
“So, Crawley was the head of the organization from the start?”
“I guess so. None of it makes any sense to me, Luanne says she and Erdric must have dropped a little bowl they wrapped up and put in a jacket pocket. Erdric was very upset about that. He planned to put Crawley off by offering him the bowl then keep the amulet for himself. He hid a pocket full of beads along with the amulet.” Harley fell silent now to catch his breath and consider the rest of the story.
Thinking about it Charlie figured Crawley guessed there was more than the two looters reported, and probably thought they were lying when they said they had lost a nice bowl coming down from the kiva. That there was nothing to show for the risky midnight excursion must have infuriated the man.
Harley turned to him as though reading his thoughts. “Luanne said Crawley was pissed and threatened James Erdric ta the point the man became scared and just stopped talking. Luanne said they were not far from the road construction camp when Crawley pulled his suburban over ta the side of the road and went around to Erdric’s side…pulled him out of the truck. Erdric broke away and hit the ground running. That’s when Crawley pulled out a small pistol and fired several shots after him; Luanne stayed in the truck, scared she would be next. But Crawley only took her out ta the main highway and dropped her off not far from home. He warned her to keep her mouth shut no matter what happened. If she didn’t, he said, he’d kill her. She knew he’d do it too.”
“So, it was Crawley that shot Erdric but apparently only wounded him? Jimmy John later finished him off with a knife…in his own trailer?”
“Luanne thinks that’s how it must have happened, I guess.” Harley saw his turnoff coming up and pointed with his chin, though Charlie was already slowing the truck.
It was getting on toward dark when they pulled into the yard and noticed there was no light in the trailer. Harley’s broken down truck sat forlornly to one side; he was a poor mechanic and Thomas had not yet been persuaded to have a look at it. The little man gave Charlie a quick glance and frowned. “I’m pretty sure Luanne don’t go ta bed this early…you’d think she’d at least leave a light on.”
“Maybe she doesn’t want to attract attention.”
“Maybe… She did park her truck down in the wash so nobody could see it from the road.” Harley didn’t like the look of it and opened the glove box where Charlie kept his revolver; taking it out he passed it over to the investigator without saying a word. Charlie decided it might not be a bad idea under the circumstances, though he had no idea what those circumstances might turn out to be.
Harley eased the truck door open and stood for a moment surveying the familiar scene for the slightest thing out of place. Something was wrong; he was sure of it. Charlie was out of the truck and moving toward the trailer and Harley was right beside him to open the door––at that exact instant, they heard the sound of an engine start up beyond the trailer. Harley exclaimed, “Luanne’s truck is parked in the wash!” Both men started running toward the sound thinking Luanne had spotted Charlie’s truck pulling in and was making a break for it. As they rounded the front of the trailer they could see a dark-colored SUV roaring down the dry watercourse, spewing sand and fishtailing from side to side. They could make out the form of a driver at the wheel but saw no one else inside.
Harley shook his head, “That’s not Luanne’s truck. Her truck’s still down there.”
Charlie whirled and headed back to the trailer with Harley close behind.
“Harley, you go check on Luanne; see if she’s all right. I’m going to try and cut that car off before it hits the highway!” He shouted this over his shoulder as he ran. Harley Ponyboy changed direction in mid-stride, cutting back toward the trailer. Charlie Yazzie whipped his truck around and headed for the big road. As he came onto the highway he could make out the vehicle coming down the wash, apparently slowed by the deep sand and failing light. He smiled to himself, He’s not from around here or he would know to stay to the high side of the wash. Charlie had no more than thought this when the SUV ground to a halt, temporarily mired to the front hubs. The driver put it in reverse and was able to pull free and angle over to harder ground, but too late. He could see Charlie’s truck swerve into the wash from the highway. That way was now blocked. By the time he had inched the car around and headed back the way he had come the Tribal unit was on him, lights flashing, and siren at full blast. The driver thought he might still get around Luanne’s truck and back up to the road, but when his vehicle again bogged down he knew it was over and threw open his door. Pulling out a pistol, he knelt behind the door to fire at the Tribal unit.
Charlie swerved as the first bullet shattered the windshield; he considered it a miracle he wasn’t hit. The shooter’s second round glanced off the bumper, but by that time Charlie had the truck sideways and rolled out the off side. He fired his own revolver from beneath his unit but saw no evidence of a hit. He did see Harley Ponyboy coming on a dead run from the trailer waving his old single barrel shotgun. When Harley reached the bank above the SUV he let go with a load of Number 8 shot which he kept for rabbits. Thomas had told him the shot was too small for rabbits, but Harley liked to cover a lot of ground.
The shot peppered the SUV from front to back; the shooter behind the door yelped then turned to fire back at Harley. Charlie fired first, and plunked the 160 grain round right into the middle of the door. The car’s window was rolled up so that protection was lost, allowing the bullet to smash through and into his assailant’s shoulder, causing him to drop his weapon. Harley was on him fast, and gave him a good whack with the butt of his shotgun. Charlie, too, was there in an instant and the two Navajo dragged the man to his feet. He was a stranger to both of them and not the sort you would expect to put up so determined a fight. The man was
older, nearly bald, and wore thick glasses.
Charlie’s first words were directed to Harley, “How’s Luanne? She all right?”
Harley shot a deadly glance at their prisoner and backhanded him across the face. “She will be when she gets over the beating this sorry sonofabitch gave her.” When Harley drew back to hit the man again, Charlie reached over and caught his arm.
“He’s had enough for now; leave him here with me and go on back to the trailer…see what you can do for Luanne.” He had seldom seen his friend so riled and thought it best to keep the man out of Harley’s reach. Their prisoner appeared not to be hurt too badly but it was plain the fight had gone out of him. The bullet only clipped his shoulder and it was barely bleeding.
When Tribal ran the plates on the SUV, Charlie was not surprised to find he had arrested the notorious William Crawley, a taciturn man who had not spoken a word since he was shot. The dispatcher said Billy Red Clay was on his way and advised that the FBI were already notified. Back in the trailer, Charlie cuffed Crawley’s hands behind his back in a kitchen chair, then helped Harley do what they could to make Luanne comfortable. She had recovered somewhat and sat glowering from blackened eyes––her nose was oddly bent. Harley couldn’t stop looking at it. “The rescue unit is on its way, Luanne. They’ll fix you up in no time…and I wouldn’t worry about that nose, I’ve had mine broke two or three times, and look at me.”
Luanne turned her face to Harley and glared, “Just shut up Harley––I don’t want to look like you.” Then her voice softened and she attempted a crooked smile. “Thanks for getting here when you did. That bastard said he was going to beat me to death. I thought for a while he already had.”
Harley smiled shyly, “Aww, that’s all right, Luanne––I doubt he was man enough ta beat you to death anyway.”
~~~~~~
It was late that night when Billy Red Clay dropped Charlie off at his little house in Waterflow. He’d had Dispatch call the house before leaving Harley’s and Sue was waiting up. Dispatch hadn’t told her much and she was relieved to see her husband unharmed and in good spirits, seemingly elated over the outcome of the night’s adventures.
“This will be a feather in the cap of Tribal authorities.” Charlie told Sue, holding her tight. “I think we’ve got this one wrapped up and if we can convince Luanne to turn State’s evidence in the Erdric killing––she might get off pretty light. I’ll make sure she knows that. Otherwise, she’ll be charged as a co-conspirator and face some very serious charges.” He smiled, “I think it’s a no-brainer. The only one she’ll hurt at his point is William Crawley and I’m sure she’ll be up for that. The FBI already has enough evidence on Jimmy John to send him up for a very long time.” And as far as Karl Hoffman’s murder goes, the FBI thinks they have Martha Keyoni dead to rights. She’ll likely spend a good many years away, though there are mitigating circumstances that could lighten her sentence somewhat.”
Sue finally backed away with a searching look at her husband then moved toward the stove. “I have your dinner in the oven…maybe then you can fill me in on the details. After that, you and I have a few other things to talk about.” This would have sounded more ominous, had Charlie not been caught up in the moment. This was a mistake he would soon come to regret.
Sue brought his dinner along with a cup of coffee for each of them and than sat across the table watching him eat through hooded eyes; there was but little else to betray her thoughts.
Charlie finished his meal and launched into a full account of what happened at Harley Ponyboy’s camp. Sue listened, nodding from time to time, raising her eyebrows at the part where gunfire broke out, then frowned and shook her head. As Charlie continued he realized Sue had not said a word, nor had she questioned any part of the story, which was unlike her. His telling of the tale gradually tapered off with a few comments on what effect all this might have on those involved. The pair then sat in silence, regarding one another almost warily as they waited for what was to come.
“I’m pregnant!” Sue said this so forcefully her husband was taken aback and for a moment said nothing, surprised, but hoping this was the full extent of the problem.
The thought Sue might be pregnant had crossed his mind several times over the last few weeks but he had brushed it aside as unlikely, thinking surely she would have said something. Sue had always been strong natured, and the first to speak her mind should the occasion call for it. Now it was out in the open. Charley felt there must be good reason for keeping the secret this long and opened his mouth to ask…
Sue burst into tears, unable to hold back any longer, and at the same time unleashed a tirade at her husband. “You have been so wrapped up in these murders you haven’t said a dozen words to me in days.” Sue sniffled, though she wasn’t the sort to seek pity. “When Joseph Wiley was born and we had such a hard time of it, you said we probably shouldn’t have another child. It could be dangerous, you said. And later, even after that curse was taken off, you still said it wasn’t a good idea. I knew this was something you wouldn’t want to hear.”
Charlie interrupted, “It had nothing to do with the so-called curse. I just didn’t want you to go through that trauma again. The doctor said at the time we nearly lost Joseph Wiley, and that you were in danger too… He admitted it could happen again… Might even be a genetic thing as far as he knew.” Charlie was regaining his composure and beginning to suspect this whole thing was not quite so much his fault… at least not as much as he first thought. Still he was aware he owned some responsibility in the matter. Sue’s more traditional mindset had entered into it as well, and in his opinion that was partially responsible. When he went so far as to say this to her, it didn’t help…it didn’t help at all. Sue stood and made as if to leave the room.
Charlie rose, too, took her arm and admitted, “Sue, that doctor was young and inexperienced––maybe didn’t know what he was talking about. I’ve thought about it a lot over the last several years and realize now he was probably mistaken.” He gathered himself and took a deep breath. “Sue a baby is fine with me! I think Joseph Wiley needs a brother… Or sister.” He drew her close and whispered in her ear, “If this is what you want, then it’s what I want too.”
After a few moments, Sue moved back and stared long and hard at her husband. With a wise and gentle look she searched his face before speaking, “Then this is the way it will be and we will start again from here.”
Charlie nodded and let out a long sigh. “Good,” he smiled, “Paul T’Sosi was afraid he had not stuck us together as well as he should.”
Sue also smiled, imagining the old singer sticking them together with prayers and pollen. “Well I did think he was a little stingy with the blue cornmeal.” Both of them chuckled.
Sue brightened as she left to check on their son, and then threw back over her shoulder, “I can’t wait to tell Lucy what’s happened in those murder cases,” …leaving Charlie Yazzie standing in the middle of the room; with one finger held up in silent protest.
~~~~~~
It was almost a week before things quieted down, and though the Professor spent most of that time out at the dig, it finally came time to gather at the kiva to finish the job of closing down the site. Charlie, Thomas and Harley stood ready to back-fill the chamber with rubble and large stones from the alcove. But before they did, the professor knelt to remove the stone slab hiding the burial, then set aside the shallow inverted bowl from the shrouded figure…the girl they called the Swallow Keeper. Reaching in his pocket, George brought out the turquoise amulet and studied it a final moment before placing it back exactly as it had been found. He then replaced the bowl, and all was as it had been for a thousand years.
“It’s not all about the science,” the professor whispered turning to the others. “This was a real person, living a life we scarce can understand. She had almost nothing. It’s not right taking away what little she had.” He stood and smiled at a solemn Harley Ponyboy, who stood silently contemplating the grave he h
ad found. “We know most of what we need to know about her––within the current limits of our ability. One day, when the science has progressed, someone will have another look…see things we cannot now imagine. Then perhaps more of her story will come to light, but for now we know enough. We will let her go back to sleep.”
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Writer/Poet R. Allen Chappell's work has appeared in magazines, literary and poetry publications, and has been featured on public radio and television. He grew up in New Mexico at the edge of the great reservation.
Books in the Navajo Nation Mystery Series listed in order include:
Navajo Autumn
Boy Made of Dawn
Ancient Blood
Mojado
Magpie Speaks
Wolves of Winter
Be sure to check out the new audio book series of selected Navajo Nation Mysteries, now available on our Amazon book pages, and in Public Libraries, as well as on Audible and in many retail outlets.
The author and his wife call western Colorado home where he continues to pursue a lifelong interest in the prehistory of the four corners region. Reader’s comments are welcome at: [email protected]
If you’ve enjoyed this book, please consider going to its Amazon book page to leave a short review. It would be most appreciated.
Glossary
1. Aa’a’ii –– Magpie
2. Acheii –– Grandfather *
3. Ashkii Ana’dlohi –– Laughing boy
4. A-hah-la’nih –– affectionate greeting*
5. Billigaana –– white people
6. Ch’ihónit’t –– a spirit path flaw
7. Chindi –– (or chinde) Spirit of the dead *
8. Diné –– Navajo people
Wolves of Winter: A Navajo Nation Mystery Page 18
