“No problem. I need the overtime.”
Fifteen minutes later, Ella turned up the road leading to Clifford’s medicine hogan. The house beside it was his family’s home. Although she’d never liked Loretta, his wife, Ella was the first to admit that Loretta and Clifford had done a wonderful job raising their son, Julian. Almost thirteen now, Julian went to visit patients with his father as often as possible. He’d made it clear, too, that he wanted to be a hataalii like his dad, something that had pleased Clifford to no end. Since it was Saturday, Ella was hoping she’d get a chance to see her nephew.
When she drove up, Ella saw a chestnut horse loosely tied to a hitching post near the front of Clifford’s hogan. The animal was grazing on the meager grasses and weeds within reach. Ella parked next to Clifford’s truck, fifty feet away, then turned off her engine and prepared to wait until she was invited to approach.
As she settled back in her seat, she could hear her brother’s voice chanting a healing song in Navajo. Loretta soon came out of their home, about twenty yards up the road, to hang an old bedspread on the clothesline. Without so much as a glance in Ella’s direction, Loretta went back inside.
Ella hadn’t expected her sister-in-law to invite her into their home. Loretta would have known that she wasn’t here just to visit. Word traveled fast on the Rez, and the news of the bombing and Tache’s injuries would be common knowledge by now.
Ella got out of her unit and glanced around for signs of Julian, but didn’t see him or his bicycle. Just as she was stretching her legs, her brother’s patient came out of the medicine hogan. The wrinkled, silver-haired Navajo man, despite his obvious advanced age, mounted his horse with the ease of a twenty year old, then rode away.
Clifford, wearing his white headband, looked out of the blanket-covered entrance, saw Ella, and waved for her to come in.
Ella stepped inside, and watched as he put away jars filled with various collected herbs and powders, illuminated by the light of a kerosene lantern. The dry painting that had been created on the hogan floor as part of the treatment was no longer there. Only its outline remained. Those sand paintings were often incredible masterpieces, particularly the intricate ones she’d seen Clifford create for special Sings. Yet because they were a way of connecting a patient to higher powers, they had to be destroyed after each ceremony.
Clifford sat on a sheepskin on the dirt floor at the south side of the hogan, as was customary, while Ella took a seat on the blanket placed on the north end.
“You look as if you haven’t had a good night’s sleep in days,” he said gently. “It must be hard for you when your daughter’s away with her father. And now with your injured friend . . .”
“Which brings me to the reason I’m here,” she said, not wanting to get into personal matters now. After explaining that the Tache family was requesting his services, she added, “Will you come to the hospital with me?”
“Of course.”
As he started to gather his ritual items, she stood at the doorway. “Where’s Julian?” she asked, curious. It was unusual not to see him hanging around his dad.
Clifford’s expression darkened. “My son’s visiting a friend who has a big-screen TV.” He shook his head slowly as if still trying to understand the unexplainable. “Last week he told me he’s longer interested in becoming a hataalii. He wants to leave the Navajo Nation as soon as he finishes high school, and go to college somewhere outside New Mexico. At the moment he can’t decide between Los Angeles and New York.”
He paused, then in a heavy voice, added, “In a lot of ways he’s starting to remind me of you at that age. The reservation was your home, but you didn’t make it so until after you saw what the rest of the world had to offer.”
Ella remembered how badly she’d wanted to leave home. She’d wanted nothing to do with the hardships and poverty that surrounded them here. “To find myself, I had to leave. Have you ever understood that?”
“Eventually I did. I just never thought my son would go through the same thing you did. I’d hoped he would find his path among us. Here, he would have been protected just as we are. Our sacred mountains watch over the Diné and our ways continually guide us. We know the power of the spoken word and are careful not to call evil to us. We greet the dawn with an offering of pollen, the gift of life, and walk in beauty,” he said, then fell silent. “That’s the world that I wanted to share with him.”
“He’s thirteen, and is starting to realize that he’s not just an extension of you. He wants to be himself, but first he has to find out who that is.”
“I know. It’s all a natural progression, but it still worries me. Right now he’s with his friend, and the boy’s father is a medical doctor. Their beliefs and ours . . .” Clifford took a deep breath, then shook his head. “Let’s not get into this now. We have other business to attend to,” he said, gathering his medicine pouch, and adjusting his white headband. “Once we’re at the hospital, I’ll speak to the family first. Then as soon as the doctors give me permission, I’ll do a pollen blessing over the patient.”
“You won’t have any problems.” Doctors who worked on the Rez soon learned that, to walk in beauty, the spirit of a Navajo needed its own medicine.
SIX
Soon Ella and Clifford were on their way to the hospital in her vehicle. As they traveled down the highway, a long silence stretched out between them.
“What’s bothering you, sister? I sense something is,” Clifford said at long last.
“Dr. Jane Lee was the one who invited you to do your talks at the college, right?”
“Yes, and I agreed because I think our young people would benefit from them. They’re being taught all about Christianization among the Diné and I think there should be more balance. I plan to do my part to provide that. Is there a problem?” he asked.
“No, not at all. How about letting me drive you to your lectures, to and from, at least for a while? I need a reason to be around Dr. Lee. I’d also like you to help me keep an eye on her, and see if she’s in regular contact with anyone in particular.”
“I’m assuming that you have a very good reason for this request . . . that it has something to do with the bombing that took place on campus yesterday?” he asked.
“Feel free to assume anything you like,” she answered with a quick half-smile. Then in a more serious voice, she added, “I trust you with my life, brother, but the less you know, the safer you’ll be.”
Clifford considered the matter for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll be happy to have you do the driving. I’ll be giving morning and evening lectures starting this coming week. I also have to be there later tonight. There’s a get-together for everyone participating, and I agreed to go.”
“I heard about this evening’s function. I’ll take you to that, and also pick you up for your lectures, unless something comes up that make it impossible.”
“All right. I’ll let it be known that I’m having problems with my old truck. That way no one will think twice about you giving me a ride,” he said.
When they arrived at the hospital in Shiprock, Ella led the way inside. As soon as they joined Ralph Tache’s family, she stepped away quietly, allowing Clifford some privacy with them.
Walking farther down the hall, Ella went to the nurse’s station to get an update on the officer. The news wasn’t good. Ralph was still listed in critical condition.
As she glanced back, Ella could see pain and worry on the faces of Tache’s family. The realization of what they were going through—and what still lay ahead—tugged at her, and she turned away. Searching for something to do, she walked to the soft drink machine.
“Hey, Clah,” came a familiar voice from somewhere behind her.
Ella turned around and saw Blalock. “What brings you here?” she asked.
“I came to update you. I stopped by the church to speak to the reverend. He was offering prayers for Tache’s family at the request of his sister and a few other close friends who’d come by to ta
lk to him. Officer Goodluck was there as well. Tome’s back is well covered, so don’t worry.”
“Thanks for letting me know,” she said.
“The fact that Justine was there to act as his bodyguard wasn’t obvious, and Officer Charlie’s out of uniform now, too, so that helped keep everything low key,” he added. “I also managed to scrounge up a vest for Abednego, that moose of a dog. Seems you promised Reverend Tome one.”
Ella smiled. “That dog means the world to him. Thanks. I owe you one.”
“You bet you do,” Blalock said with a grin. “Those vests cost around seven hundred bucks, and county didn’t have any to spare. But I managed to get one up from the DEA.”
Ella updated him on the details of the ’round-the-clock coverage she’d put in place to protect Ford.
“Ford’s coming up here as soon as he gets word that your brother’s finished the blessing,” Blalock added. “He wants to pay his respects to Officer Tache and say a prayer at his bedside.”
“I’m not sure how that’ll play out—half the family’s Christian, the other, New Traditional.”
“Stand back and let them figure it out,” Blalock advised.
“Yeah, you’re right,” she said. Turning her mind back to the case, she continued. “I’m going to need you to get me everything you can on Dr. Jane Lee. I tried the Internet, but I didn’t get far. You’ve been briefed, right?”
“I got a call right after AD Hansen spoke to your boss, so I’m up to speed on the situation. We can’t risk tipping our hand. I’m in the process of getting a sneak-and-peek warrant so we can enter her house without her knowledge. I’ll let you know when I’ve got the paperwork wrapped up.”
“I’ll be driving my brother to the college campus right after he finishes here. While I’m there, I’ll find out what Dr. Lee’s teaching schedule and office hours are. That way we’ll know when she’s not at home.”
“From everything I’ve turned up so far on this woman, I really doubt she’s responsible for what happened to Tache. There’s nothing in her background that indicates she’d have the expertise to make a bomb,” Blalock said.
“You can get almost anything you want these days via the Internet—including know-how. I don’t know how complicated that bomb was, that report’s not in yet. But if it was black powder in a pipe . . . how much training could that take?” Ella asked.
“You’re making premature judgements and that’s a good way to get broadsided when you least expect it.”
Before she could answer, Ella saw her brother come out of the critical care unit. “I’ve got to get going,” she told Blalock.
Clifford came up to them, and Blalock nodded, greeting him merely as hataalii. The two had been forced to work together several times in the past, and had gained a mutual, if grudging, respect for one another over the years.
“It’s time for us to go to the college,” Clifford said, looking at Ella.
As they headed down the hall, Justine and Ford came around the corner. Clifford slowed slightly and smiled at Justine, but his face became politely neutral as he glanced at Ford.
Ella signaled to her brother that she needed a moment, but Clifford seemed reluctant to stop.
“I’ll meet you downstairs by the SUV,” Clifford said, then strode off.
Ford stopped to talk to her, but didn’t relax until Clifford was out of view and the hall was empty. “Did he finish his blessing?”
Ella nodded. “I can’t say I envy you going up there. The New Traditionalists won’t want you there at all, but the Christians need your support.”
“When Ralph’s sister Trudy asked me to say a prayer by her brother’s bedside, I couldn’t refuse. That’s what my job’s all about.”
Ella nodded. “I know. The good thing is that you’re safe here at the hospital. Once you leave, stick close to Justine. She’ll keep you safe.”
“But what about later, at my home? I understand that you don’t think Abednego will be enough protection.”
Ella looked around. “Where is he, by the way?”
“Out in my car. The temperature’s nice and cool in the evenings, and he knows to stay put,” Ford said. “But getting back to what I was saying, I got a call from Michael Cloud. He told me that you’d given him and his brother orders to watch over me tonight.”
“It’s the best way. I’d stay with you, but that would create a whole new world of problems.”
“You’re right,” he answered. “I’m glad you understand.”
Glancing down the hall and seeing that Clifford was long gone, she added, “I better get going, but I’m glad that Tache’s family has both you and my brother to rely on. You’re each needed now.”
His parting expression left no doubt that she’d said the wrong thing. When it came to certain matters, Ford’s mind was completely closed. Her father, also a minister, had been the same way. His belief in the God he served required that he accept no other powers. It saddened her to think that the two men closest to her, Clifford and Ford, would never get along.
A few minutes later, Ella joined Clifford, who was standing beside her police unit. “I wish you’d try to be a little friendlier to the reverend, brother,” she said, not referring to Ford by name out of respect for her brother’s beliefs.
“We have fundamental differences, so that’s as friendly as it’ll ever get between us,” he answered. There was no anger in his voice, just acceptance.
They climbed into the vehicle, and Ella drove out of the hospital parking lot. As she thought about what Clifford had said, she realized that some things would never change. Religion, for all its talk about brotherhood, had, over the years, built insurmountable walls between millions of people.
“Once we get to the college, how can I help you?” he asked, breaking the silence after they’d traveled a few miles.
“Keep people focused on you. I’ll do my wallflower bit, then sneak away for a walk. If I can, I’m going to take a look inside Dr. Lee’s office.”
“Be very careful. They’re bound to have heightened security on campus, especially after yesterday.”
“I know, and if it turns out to be impossible, I’ll just talk to the other professors and staff and try to find out more about her that way. I’m in the perfect position as the sister of one of the guest speakers.”
When they arrived at the college, Ella followed Clifford’s directions and parked in the faculty slots beside the administration office—Narbona Hall—named after a Navajo warrior. Inside, Clifford reluctantly picked up a name tag then, together with Ella, joined the small crowd already gathered in the spacious lobby. Refreshments had been placed buffet-style on a hexagonal table, and Ella suddenly realized she couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten. Almost as if to emphasize it, her stomach growled.
As Clifford mingled, Ella stopped at the table and picked up one of the small club sandwiches comprised of cheese, bacon, and a delicious, tangy sauce. As she ate, she carefully watched the people there. The administrators had all dressed conservatively in business suits, or long Southwestern-style dresses with silver and turquoise jewelry.
The faculty, including guest speakers like Clifford, were almost too casual in comparison. Several of the professors wore western-style jeans, boots, and leather vests or jackets. Most had chosen bolo ties. Her brother, with his white headband, colorful western-style shirt, jeans, and his best deerskin moccasins, fit right in.
Just as Ella turned to track down another sandwich, Dr. Lee, dressed in a black velveteen dress and wearing a multi-strand liquid-silver necklace, entered the room. The middle-aged woman was accompanied by a long-haired Navajo woman in her twenties, wearing a pale-green knit top and multicolored broom skirt that nearly reached the floor.
Dr. Lee quickly worked the room, introducing herself and her young teaching assistant, Mona Tso, to the guest lecturers and full-time staff. As the group of mostly gregarious people continued to mingle, Ella grabbed a cup of punch and retreated to the perimeter, listening an
d watching from the shadows, but never looking directly at a person long enough to catch anyone’s eye.
To Ella’s surprise, Dr. Lee seemed to do the same, taking a few snacks on a paper plate, then stepping out of the way to observe. Her gaze darted around the room, studying faces, listening in on conversations, and occasionally checking her watch. When the professor looked in her direction, Ella always made sure to be seen looking at a painting on the wall or studying one of the printed bulletins, which listed all the faculty members and guests.
Time passed, and though the professor still seemed preoccupied, she began smiling more and engaging others in conversation. Ella made it a point to listen to Dr. Lee, but found nothing particularly memorable or noteworthy about her exchanges.
Ella then turned her attention to the people gathered around her brother, and joined them for a few minutes. When she looked around again a short time later, Ella realized that Dr. Lee was nowhere in sight.
Ella excused herself, stepped out into the hallway, and caught a glimpse of Dr. Lee going into an office farther down the hall. Moving as quietly as she knew how, Ella followed. The door had been left wide open, and she listened for the sound of voices, but there was only silence.
Ella edged closer, wondering why Dr. Lee had left the gathering. Boredom was a possibility, but that seemed unlikely. Before she could give it any more thought, Ella heard Dr. Lee call out.
“Detective, I’m waiting. You have questions, so come on in and we’ll talk.” Dr. Lee poked her head out of the office and met Ella’s surprised gaze. “Do hurry, will you? I haven’t got all night.”
Ella knew she’d been silent. Even over rough terrain, she could track without making a sound and here, there’d been very little to give her away. She’d greatly underestimated Dr. Lee. When Ella entered the small office she found the professor sitting behind her desk, leaning back on her chair, her hands folded on her lap.
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