Tainted Mountain

by Shannon Baker

  “That did it?”

  “They are not Hopi. Navajo.”

  “And they obeyed you anyway?”

  He shrugged. “Our mother villages have mysterious powers to protect. If someone defies the power, we all suffer. Maybe all humankind.”

  This guy should be president. He should be mediating in the Middle East. Such simple words and she felt compelled to spread peace and harmony throughout the world. She believed it could actually make a difference.

  “Nora!” Heather ran toward her. “Where were you? What happened?”

  Heather launched herself into Nora’s arms and exploded in a monsoon of tears.

  With equal relief at Heather’s safety, Nora hugged back. “I’m fine. Are you okay?”

  But Nora couldn’t make sense of the sobs. Something about Heather’s embrace and tears tapped Nora’s heart like a tiny jeweler’s hammer. This girl with the courage of a lion owned the vulnerable heart of a child.

  Nora let loose with her own storm of tears, holding Heather close. When was the last time someone had touched her with this much raw love? She’d suffered her mother’s dutiful hugs, the well wishes of Scott’s friends. She’d appreciated Charlie’s affectionate pats. But this girl cracked open the shell of her heart and it gushed with pain and loss—but also with hope and healing.

  Thirty

  Barrett’s Hopi contact leaned against the black Mercedes with his arms crossed. The shade of the juniper concealed the meeting from the interstate but didn’t do much to buffer the roar of semis running down I-40.

  Barrett had faced any manner of business problems in the past and overcome personal tragedies that would leave a lesser man a puddle of slush. But the last few years he had relaxed into complacency. He relied on the easy pickings of the energy boom and the domestic tranquility of a daughter who adored him.

  All that had changed in the last six months. His emotional and intellectual softness needed to harden into granite again. He needed to be the Barrett McCreary III he used to be.

  He gave the councilman a steady stare. “You said the Tribal Council was on board. They’ve got to know uranium mining will make the Hopi a rich people.”

  The man shrugged. “Rich don’t always matter to Hopi. The elders don’t want nothing to do with mining after the sickness last time. But the younger ones, some of them want the electricity and water lines brought to the mesas.”

  “Big Elk said he was making progress with the elders.” Scalding blood pumped into Barrett’s brain. Just the opposite of his cool-headed image.

  The cadence of the councilman’s voice sounded as if a drum beat in his head. “It’s Benny. He’s against uranium and lots of guys listen to what he says. Big Elk ain’t convincing no one to go for uranium. He’s just gettin’ the younger ones mad.”

  “Doesn’t matter now that Big Elk isn’t around anymore.”

  “I don’t know who told you that. He’s out at the rez right now. He’s got them so’s nobody’s even thinkin’ about uranium.”

  Barrett had sprung Big Elk from jail in hopes he’d hold up his end of the Hopi deal. He should have known Big Elk wouldn’t act with any honor. “What’s it going to take to change a couple of votes? Another clinic? A school? Untraceable cash? What does Benny want?” There was always a price, and this one wouldn’t be cheap.

  The Hopi man’s face showed little emotion. Indians hardly ever did. “I can ask, but I don’t know how far I’ll get. The people are gettin’ pretty worked up now, with the government okaying the snow making and the woman laying pipe and all.”

  “Get me the votes and you’ll be a rich man.”

  Barrett slid behind the wheel of his Mercedes, leaving the Hopi man to his dilapidated pickup. He drove over the hill and out of the juniper.

  The peaks commanded the landscape along the highway. His peaks. Barrett ticked through the issues needing his attention as he waited for a break in the sparse line of cars so he could merge onto the highway.

  Deavonshire assured him the congressional committee was leaning toward allowing existing claims to go ahead. Barrett could start work on the current mines, but that wouldn’t make major expansion possible. He needed the Hopi endorsement. Barrett shuffled the uranium mining issue to the bottom of his agenda.

  Big Elk had become too much of a liability. He punched in a number on his phone and when a low voice answered, Barrett gave the details.

  Now, the next problem: water had to be pumped onto the mountain immediately. More importantly, he needed to find and destroy Scott Abbott’s papers before someone figured out why Barrett wanted the water pumped.

  He turned the Mercedes onto the highway and headed for the mountain.

  Next, he had to check on Heather. Without looking, he took his phone from his shirt pocket, flipped it open, and pushed speed dial for the house. No answer.

  Goddamn it. When she’d called last night and said she was staying with her ditzy friend Sheryl, she promised to be home early to clean horse stalls. This rebellion phase of hers had to stop.

  Barrett simmered in a stew of problems, making phone calls to lobbyists and staffers the whole drive to Kachina Peak.

  Sun sifted through the pines and dappled the hood of Barrett’s Mercedes as he pulled into Kachina Ski’s parking lot. Good, the decaying wreck of a Jeep was gone, so he assumed the raving redhead wasn’t home.

  He stepped out of his SUV and started toward the lodge, pasting on a pleasant face and formulating a plan of attack. He’d put off getting rid of Scott’s papers too long. He didn’t usually let loose ends dangle like this.

  Maybe after the pumps were up and running here and he’d made a start on the uranium mines, he’d take Heather on an extended vacation. Get her away from everything Hopi. His chest loosened slightly. Good plan.

  He clumped up the deck stairs and into the lodge. “Hello.” He waited for his eyes to adjust to the gloom. No one answered him. He tried again. Silence.

  Barrett knew a gift when he received it. He retreated, heading for the deck. Seemed strange Nora would keep Scott’s things. If it were him, he’d have sifted through the leavings looking for anything of value and destroyed anything else. But women thought differently. Nora would probably cry over that stupid box for years.

  Barrett planned to grab the box from the bedroom closet and reduce it into ashes within an hour. He reached for the screen door but it opened, startling him.

  Abigail looked up and yelped. She sucked in a breath and let it out, a welcome smile spreading across her face. “Oh. Barrett. You scared me.”

  Barrett met her smile, feeling that goofy balloon in his chest. What an exquisite woman. Her face glowed smooth as porcelain. Her eyes lit up with an enchanting sparkle. He felt foolish and delighted in a way he hadn’t felt in years—no, decades.

  Right now, though, he needed to find Scott’s papers and get rid of them. “Abigail. It’s wonderful to see you.”

  She gave him that inviting smile he longed to see in his bed. “It’s always nice to see you. What are you doing all the way out here?”

  “I wanted to see if the sprayers had been delivered. We’ve got a tight schedule if we want to have snow for Christmas.”

  “You could have just called. No sprayers, it’s been quiet out here.”

  She usually offered him something to eat or drink by now. What was the holdup? “Could I trouble you for a glass of water? I am really dry.”

  “Of course. Come up.”

  He followed her up the stairs, enjoying the gentle sway of her hips. His blood rushed to pleasant places. Yes, he’d have to find a way to keep Abigail.

  Not an item seemed out of place in the little apartment. Abigail hurried to the kitchen. “I’m afraid we don’t have bottled water. Nora insists it’s environmentally abusive. But I made mint tea this mor-

  ning.”

  “That would be w
onderful.” At least he didn’t sound as frantic as he felt.

  She handed him the tea, and he took a sip. “That’s great.”

  She seemed pleased. “I picked the mint behind the lodge so I suppose it would pass Nora’s test for natural.”

  “You aren’t having any?”

  “I hate to fill up on too much tea. I’ll have to excuse myself all afternoon if I do.” The way she said it made him think she was trying to tell him something.

  He noticed her handbag and a notebook sitting on the table. “I’m sorry. I should have asked sooner, are you on your way out?”

  She smiled in that enticing way again. “It is my club afternoon. I’m secretary, which is funny, really, since I’m the newcomer. But I wanted to get involved in the community and this club does such good work.”

  “Oh, I’ll get out of your hair.” Where was Nora?

  She gestured toward the sofa. “Don’t be silly. Please sit and enjoy your tea. I’ve got a couple of minutes.”

  She pushed him to sit and perched on the sofa arm, swinging her foot.

  He started to get up. “I’m keeping you.”

  She put a hand on his shoulder. “You just sit. Finish your tea. But I do have to run downstairs and get something. I’ll be right back.”

  Barrett couldn’t have scripted this any better. “Thank you, Abigail. You’re amazing.”

  “Oh, you.” She giggled like someone thirty years younger and hurried out the door. Oh yes, he wanted her. No reason he couldn’t have her.

  The door clicked shut and Barrett moved as quickly as his bulk allowed. He dumped the disgusting tea down the drain and returned his glass to the coffee table, only losing twenty seconds. Another couple ticked away as he hurried into the bedroom.

  They lived like mice in a box. Abigail would love his spacious home with its open floor plan and towering windows, plenty of closets and cabinets to store all the pretty things he’d buy her.

  Barrett opened the closet and plunged into the back where he and Heather had placed that stupid box the other day.

  Gone. She’d moved it.

  He spun, frantically searching the room. A filing cabinet shoved into a corner. What was stored inside? Did Scott keep copies? He ought to blow up the whole place to make sure there were no loose ends. This slum would be no big loss.

  A memory blindsided him. He’d lived in more cramped quarters than this. It had been the happiest time of his life. Their bed was nothing but a mattress on the floor, the crib crammed next to the threadbare sofa. Flyers for the next rally sat on a Formica table. He stretched out on the rumpled sheets with his daughter sitting on his flat belly chattering about sister stars. Ester clattered the dented coffeepot and lit a match to the rusting stove. He loved to watch her naked body move with such fluid motion. His son made sucking noises from the crib.

  Ester insisted they rise and greet the sun on the mesa so she could offer corn dust and prayers. In those moments he had everything he ever needed.

  “Barrett?” Abigail’s voice jerked him from the mesa memories.

  Damn it. He’d lost time and opportunity. Was he losing his mind, as well?

  “What are you doing?” she asked, her eyes sweeping the bedroom for clues.

  He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. I know this is rude. I have to confess I didn’t come up here because I was thirsty.”

  “Oh?” Her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

  Barrett tried not to look at the closet door; instead he walked to the window. “I wanted to see the view. I think this lodge could use an overhaul. Maybe even a scrape off and start over.”

  Her eyes lit up.

  If spending money made her glow like this, he’d make sure she never had another bad day. “That’s a good idea.”

  At least he hit upon a decent excuse and maybe not such a bad idea after all. “If we incorporate a living quarters in a new lodge what should it look like?”

  She joined him at the window. “It should be much larger. And more secure. I feel completely exposed up here.”

  Her soft scent tickled his nose.

  “I hate to chase you out, Barrett, but I do need to get going if I’m going to be on time.”

  He nodded. “What about storage? This apartment doesn’t seem to have much closet space.”

  Her laughter tinkled. “Closets are a myth here.”

  “It must have been cramped with Nora and Scott here. There can’t be much space for your things.”

  She blushed, probably thinking he made an overture about moving her out. “We manage.”

  “Are all of Scott’s belongings still here?”

  She led him from the room and sighed. “I’ve urged Nora to clean it out. I’ve been through this before and the sooner you bring yourself to discard the belongings, the sooner you move on.”

  “How is she doing?”

  “She’s made little progress, I’m afraid.” Abigail picked up her handbag from the table and reached for a peg by the door. “Oh, poo.”

  Poo?

  “I forgot Nora’s gone with the Jeep. You wouldn’t mind taking me to town, would you?”

  He held the door for her. “Of course.” It felt right having this attractive, charming woman in his life. She might provide the missing piece to settle Heather and give her a true sense of home. With Abigail they would be the family Heather longed for.

  Abigail descended the apartment stairs and didn’t hesitate before stepping across the deck. He followed her to the parking lot, the idea sounding better with each step.

  The iron seemed hot enough for him to strike now. “Abigail, there’s something I want to say.”

  The slightest impatience darted into her eyes, and he decided that would be the color of the aquamarine ring he’d buy for her.

  He reached out and took her delicate hand, youthful passion tingling in his veins. “I’ve grown more than fond of you.”

  A rosy blush appeared on her cheeks. “Barrett, I … ”

  He squeezed her hand. “Let me finish. Since I’ve met you, I can think of little else. I hope I’m not out of line when I say I think you feel the same way.”

  For the first time he saw her control slip. That he could catch her off guard and send her heart racing made him bolder.

  “We’re not youngsters, and I’d like to spend whatever years we have left together. Will you marry me?”

  The roses vanished from her cheeks, leaving a floury shock. Her lips lost the lift of her perpetual smile, revealing crevices in her cheeks and wrinkles around her mouth.

  He’d made a terrible miscalculation.

  Her hand jerked as if she’d like to pull it away. “Barrett. That’s sweet … ”

  He wiped the sappy look from his face. “I caught you by surprise.” He laughed. “To tell the truth, I surprised myself. I got carried away by the moment. Please excuse my impulsiveness.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Let’s just forget the whole thing.”

  “This is unexpected. And I’m flattered, of course. I am terribly fond of you.”

  A police cruiser turned into the parking lot. That put an end to that conversation. The officer climbed from the car and approached them. He nodded to Barrett and addressed Abigail. “Ms. Stoddard. Is Ms. Abbott around?”

  “Good afternoon, Gary,” she said, always the perfect hostess. “Nora isn’t home.”

  “Do you know where she is?”

  “She left early this morning to bring Heather home from the reservation.”

  Heather’s on the rez? A sledgehammer crashed into Barrett’s brain.

  Thoughts might be processing in Gary’s head as he stood looking up at the lodge. “I have a warrant to search the lodge and apartment.”

  Abigail gasped. “You will do no such thing. What possible reason would you have for
this outrage?”

  “As a person of interest in two homicides, searching Nora’s home is routine.”

  Searching this place, with Scott’s papers somewhere inside, could not happen. Barrett contemplated how to step in.

  Abigail lifted her chin. “I won’t allow it.”

  Gary let out another exhale. He seemed to have a lot of air in him. “I need to ask you a few questions too,” he said to Abigail. “Can you come down to the station?”

  “Now?”

  Gary nodded. “Now would be good. You can ride with me.”

  “I’m sorry. I have a previous engagement.”

  Gary held up his hand as if directing traffic toward his cruiser. “I’ll bring you back when we’re through.”

  Barrett’s jaw ached where he clenched his teeth. What the hell was Heather doing on the rez? But more urgently, he had to make sure the cops didn’t find Scott’s fucking papers.

  Barrett stepped close to Abigail and put an arm around her. “I’ll call my attorney and have him meet you there.”

  Now came the grateful eyes. He felt tides shifting inside Abigail as it became clear to her what Barrett could do for her. She was a bright woman. “Thank you, dear.”

  He nodded in his most protective way.

  She leaned into him. “Could you please follow us to the station? I don’t want to be there alone.” Before she slid into the cruiser beside Gary, she sought Barrett’s eyes. “The answer to your question is yes.”

  He watched them drive away, his mind shifting into overdrive. Even if he didn’t have to go hold Abigail’s hand, he wouldn’t have time to search the apartment thoroughly, and there was no telling what he’d leave behind for the cops to find.

  Scott’s papers. Heather on the rez. Big Elk fucking up his plans. Alex getting dangerous too.

  Barrett certainly had business to attend to.

  Thirty-One

  The horizon stretched across sparse grassland. Rain clouds threatened a patch of desert miles away. The speedometer of Heather’s SUV wavered around ninety. Nora wanted to put miles between them and the mesas as fast as possible. She hated leaving her Jeep on the rez, but Heather was in no shape to drive herself.