Tribal Law

by Jenna Kernan

  “Is it important?”

  “I don’t know. But it’s Selena Dosela.”

  Gabe’s heart fluttered as if it was considering stopping. Selena never called him. Not once since she handed back his ring.

  “Put her through.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Gabe waited, clutching the handset so tight that his wrist started to ache. Still, he couldn’t release his grip. There was a familiar click.

  “Gabe? You there?” It was Selena’s sweet voice.

  He’d forgotten to say hello or even identify himself.

  “Here,” he said, his voice sounding harsh, like a dog’s bark.

  “Uh, hi.” There was a long pause. Gabe could hear the clock on the wall ticking away the seconds. He should say something.

  He didn’t know if he should launch into his business or ask her what she wanted or tell her he enjoyed seeing her, but that seemed wrong because of the shooting. As he was dithering he realized she wasn’t speaking, either. He waited, phone now pressed tight to his ear listening to the silence.

  “Selena?”

  “Yes. I’m here.”

  Another long pause. Gabe wiped his brow and discovered he was sweating. Yepa peered in from the doorway and gave him an odd look. Her brows rose.

  She whispered to him. “Want some water?”

  He waved her away, fanning the air so hard it looked as if he was under attack by a swarm of hornets.

  “Um, Carla and Paula are home,” said Selena.

  Gabe sat back in his chair because he knew who she meant. Her youngest sisters, the twins, had returned from their long haul.

  That meant a truck big enough to transport the load out of here was now on Black Mountain. They had to find the precursor pronto.

  “Gabe?”

  “Yes. I heard,” he said. “The twins are home safe.”

  “Yes.”

  “Thanks for telling me.”

  “Sure.”

  The silence stretched.

  “You need me to come out there?” he asked.

  “No. We’re fine.”

  “Okay, then. Where are you?”

  “Finishing my route. Why?”

  Because mobile phones could more easily be tapped.

  “Maybe you should come in. We could have lunch.”

  There was a long pause. “What’s going on?”

  “Your dad’s parole officer was here. He’s worried about your new boyfriend.”

  “He’s not my...oh.” More silence. “I see.”

  “I’m heading out that way.” He hadn’t been, but he was now.

  Her breath became audible for a moment. “See you later, then.”

  She said goodbye and he heard the click. He stared at the phone as the image of Selena stroking his hand rose. He stood and headed for the door.

  Yepa buzzed him. Juris was on the line wanting to review initial findings.

  “Switch it to my mobile.” He set his hat on his head and made a beeline for his unit.

  His phone rang and he took the call, switching it to speaker as he drove toward Wolf Canyon. Juris reviewed initial findings, evidence collection, identification of the two Salt River shooters.

  “I’ll call Chief Red Hawk in Salt River,” said Gabe, referring to the chief of the tribal police in the Apache reservation to their south. “See if he has any more details on those two than what’s in the database.”

  “Good.”

  Gabe told Juris about the visit from Hare and the hole in his story.

  Juris cursed. “Well, he’s not going to talk to Escalanti.”

  “He’s got ex-cons to check on all over both reservations.”

  “Could be a problem,” said Juris.

  Understatement of the year, thought Gabe. “I’m heading out to the Doselas’.”

  “Might be best not to be seen coming and going. A police unit parked in her drive is the worse of the two threats.”

  “We have to pick up Nota’s car. Gives me an excuse.”

  “Fine.”

  Gabe called a tow truck and met him at the Doselas’. They had Nota’s car off premises when Selena appeared, driving Mia’s box truck, hers having been seized for evidence.

  Gabe waited beside the parked 18-wheeler with the flatbed trailer while Selena opened the driver’s side door of the box truck. Then he did what he used to do—reached up, clasped her by her small waist and lifted her down in front of him. Her arms slipped naturally around his neck. She grinned up at him. Did she remember how they used to laugh together? Her smile faded by degrees and she removed her hands from the back of his neck. Suddenly he felt the cold there more acutely.

  “I didn’t talk to anyone,” she said, and stepped back making some space between them. “And no one mentioned the shooting. I don’t think word is out yet.”

  It would be, and soon.

  “Juris thinks I should stay away from your place. I just removed Nota’s car for processing.”

  She glanced to the empty place where the car had been.

  “That’s good.”

  “I can meet you somewhere if you want to talk to me. Or you can call me. Please call me if anything seems wrong.”

  “I will.” Selena glanced toward the house. “I better go. Mia is waiting to start her run. We’re down to one truck now.”

  “I’ll try to get yours back to you as soon as possible.”

  She cast him a smile. “I’d appreciate that.”

  “May I call you later?”

  She cocked her head. Was she wondering if this was business or personal? With Selena it was always both.

  “Of course.”

  And then she lifted on her toes, angling to press a kiss to his cheek. But he turned to intercept the kiss, taking her mouth with his, giving her the kind of kiss usually reserved for the darkness. She relaxed against him, letting him deepen the contact. Suddenly the day seemed more spring than winter. He reluctantly eased back, brushing his lips over the soft skin of her fluttering eyelids and then holding her tight.

  “What are we doing?” he asked.

  “Catching bad guys,” she murmured.

  “Oh, right.”

  She released her hold and inched away. He let her go.

  Gabe headed back to his freezing-cold vehicle as Selena disappeared into her house. The day was gobbled up with the two investigations and the barrage of the usual disturbances, including one domestic dispute with shots fired. There were numerous auto accidents because of black ice.

  He finally dragged himself home, looking forward to having his grandmother fuss over him. Clyne was out, he knew, because it was Friday night and he had mentioned that he had plans to take a girl to a place in Salt River for dinner and dancing. Gabe wished he could take Selena dancing. Why hadn’t he when he’d had the chance?

  Work, he remembered. Always work.

  Gabe called a greeting as he entered and was met with a banquet of aromas that set his stomach rumbling. He deposited his hat and coat by the door and found his grandmother busy in the kitchen. Glendora Clawson was an excellent cook and tonight she had outdone herself with a wonderful chicken-and-rice casserole that smelled delicious. His grandmother stood at the stove, flipping her fry bread so that the golden-brown side bobbed in the oil in the cast-iron skillet like a duck on water. At her elbow was a large plate draped in several paper towels, waiting for the next batch of hot bread.

  No church function was complete without his grandmother’s fry bread. The organizers of the annual Fourth of July rodeo had even tried to get her to set up a booth for the tourists, but his grandmother, now in her seventies, had declined, leaving that to the younger women in the tribe.

  “Smells amazing in here,” said Gabe, dropping
a kiss on his grandmother’s soft cheek and stealing a piece of bread in a deft move.

  She scowled and brandished the wooden spoon at him. “Those aren’t for you.”

  He already had taken a large bite out of the bread. That was when he saw the cooling apple pie and his ears went back. She didn’t cook pies, except for special occasions.

  “Who’s coming for dinner?”

  “No one.”

  “Is Clay back?”

  “He’s in court Monday. You know that. He and Isabella are taking a long weekend. Do her good to get away from her herd for a bit.”

  The adoption hearing. He must be more tired than he realized.

  “Who’s the food for, then?”

  “The Chee family.”

  Gabe lost his appetite and the warmth that always came from his grandmother as much as from her kitchen. She was cooking for the gathering after tomorrow’s funeral—of course.

  His grandmother glanced his way and seemed to sense his sorrow.

  “Guess who I saw at the clinic today?” His grandmother had begun volunteering two days a week at the Apache health clinic.

  Gabe ran through all the people who might be at the clinic. It was a long list, but his mind latched on to one particular name and he felt his chest constrict.

  “Ruth Dosela,” Glendora announced, confirming his guess. His grandmother made a small tsking sound. “Poor thing is skinny as a rail. She’s just started another round of chemo and her hair hasn’t even grown back from the last time.

  “Oh, I was telling them about how you had gone on up there to South Dakota to find your little sister. How you used your detective skills to track her down and find the man who rescued her from the car. How she got lost in the foster-care system and was alive all this time, even though we didn’t even know it, poor little lamb. I can’t wait to get my hands on her. I’ve finished the beading on her ceremony dress. I’ll close those seams on the side when I see how big she’s gotten. Wait until you see. Oh, it’s beautiful, if I do say so myself. Yellow as corn pollen. I think I used every ribbon from here to Phoenix on the yoke. Now I’ve got to work on the moccasins.”

  There might not even be a ceremony because they didn’t have custody of their sister and might never get it. But he knew better than to suggest that scenario to his grandmother. She was determined that this would happen and was acting accordingly. At least they knew that their sister was alive and well. And if Clay was successful, they would know more about where she lived and who had adopted her. And Jovanna would soon know who she really was. An Apache of the Black Mountain Tribe.

  “Ruthie offered to bring food to the ceremony, which is good. Give her something to look forward to.”

  “You invited them to the ceremony?” Gabe couldn’t keep the shock from his voice. He was so good at keeping his stone face at work, but his grandmother knew just how to stir him up.

  “Of course. I’ve invited them. They were almost family. When are you going to ask that girl out again?”

  “Grandma, she gave back my ring.” He found himself touching the medicine bundle that always hung about his neck. Inside were many sacred objects including the diamond solitaire she had returned that awful day. “She broke the engagement. Remember?”

  “Of course I remember. I also remember how happy you both were until you were testifying in federal court against her father. Of course, she tried to return the ring. You didn’t have to take it.”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “You haven’t seen any other girls.”

  That was not true. He just had not brought any of them home to his grandmother’s table because that was just a whole different level of seeing a woman.

  In the past few months, both he and Clyne had become a great disappointment to their grandmother. Everything had been just fine until Clay and Kino had settled down. Now his grandmother had ramped up the pressure to get him and Clyne wed.

  The only thing she spoke about more often was the return of Jovanna, but that was something on which they all agreed.

  “Well, one thing I know for certain. You’ll never find a girl in that police station or your police cruiser.”

  Gabe changed the subject. “Any word from Clay?”

  “I forgot you slept in the station last night. Yes. He did it! The judge ordered the adoption opened. He’s hoping we’ll have the name of the mother and some details on Jovanna within the week. The judge gave them seven days, and Clay’s attorney says they will use every bit of it.”

  “Does that mean we can see her?”

  “Not yet. But soon.” His grandmother clasped her hands together. “I’m so excited. I cannot wait to get my hands on that girl.”

  When Gabe stuck his head in the refrigerator, his grandmother took pity on him, heating a bowl of chili to go with his half-eaten piece of fry bread. Gabe ate at the kitchen table as his grandmother cooked. When he finished his meal he announced that he was going to bed. She cast him a look of disappointment. Likely Clyne was spinning some pretty woman around the dance floor about now. Meanwhile, Gabe would be ironing his uniform for tomorrow’s funeral service.

  He wondered what Selena was doing. Was she home with her family or out on the town? Gabe drew out his phone. Before he knew it he had made the call.

  “Selena?” he said.

  “Mia. Who’s this?”

  Gabe drew a breath. “Gabe Cosen.”

  There was a long pause.

  “May I speak to Selena?”

  “Um. I’ll see if she’s here.”

  Gabe smiled. Their house was smaller than his grandmother’s. Surely Mia knew if her big sister was home, but the white lie would give her time to ask Selena what to do. A moment later Selena said hello.

  “Hi, Selena.”

  “Hi.”

  She sounded so good.

  “What’s up?” she asked.

  “Is everything okay there?”

  “So far. Is everything all right with you?”

  He didn’t know exactly why or what he said, but he told her about his day and about the funeral preparations. How there would be a motorcade before the flower car and about coordinating the service with the family and how his speech wasn’t good enough to do justice to the loss or to the man Chee had been and might have become. He said his grandmother had made another casserole and he’d be at Chee’s home after the funeral. Before he knew it he had told her that now he had to interview for a new man and that he’d never had to hire a new officer to replace a fallen one. Finally he told her about the ceremony this morning for end of watch. When at last he finished talking he was met with silence and he wondered for a moment if she was still there.

  “Selena?” he said.

  “I’m here.” But her voice sounded choked and strained. Were those tears?

  “Selena, did I make you cry?”

  She cleared her throat. “No. It’s just... I’m so sorry for all of this. I wish I could do something. Except make a casserole. We made one, too. Mama insisted. We’ll be at the Chee home after the funeral, as well.”

  It was the first bright spot in his day.

  “I’ll see you there, then.”

  “Yes. And Gabe?”

  “Yes?”

  “Thank you for telling me about your day.”

  He had, hadn’t he? And it felt natural as breathing.

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Good night, Gabe.”

  He whispered good-night and disconnected, recalling a time when he had imagined what it would be like when the good-night wishes were not whispered over the phone but over the pillows in their marriage bed. Gabe pressed the phone to his forehead as the terrible ache made him fold at the middle. How had he let this happen?

  Chapter Sixteen

  On Satu
rday, after the funeral, the home of Officer Chee’s parents was filled to bursting with members of the tribe. Tables groaned under the weight of casseroles and platters of cold cuts. Some had brought drinks, desserts, flowers. No one came empty-handed. Chee left behind a father, mother and brother. Andre stayed close to his mother, straying only a time or two to speak to his friends. On the top of the television was a framed photo of Dante Chee in his Black Mountain police uniform and one of him looking much younger in his US Marines uniform.

  Selena stood beside Mia, who elbowed her in the ribs and inclined her head toward the door. The Cosen family had arrived. Selena lifted to her tiptoes to see them parade into the crowded room. Glendora Clawson, Gabe’s grandmother, carried a casserole wrapped in tinfoil. She was dressed all in black, except for her open pink parka and the stunning turquoise-and-sterling necklace. Her hair showed only a sprinkling of gray and there was no doubt where her grandsons had gotten their looks. Behind her came the oldest Cosen brother, Clyne, wearing a black woolen topcoat. Snow stuck to his neatly braided hair, which he had dressed with silver beads. He looked every inch the tribal leader, from his bear-tooth bolo to the distinctive toe tab of his traditional moccasins. Next came Kino, still in his police uniform and escorting his pretty new wife, a Salt River woman named Lea. He wore his long hair in one single braid down his back. Clay was absent. Still in federal court down in Phoenix, she knew. Kino closed the door and Selena lowered herself back to her heels.

  “Where’s Gabe?” asked Mia.

  “I don’t know.”

  Clyne approached Brenda Chee first, representing the tribe as he spoke. He was formal and eloquent, and she was glad she had never been interested in Clyne. The woman he chose would have to represent the tribe as well as he did and be the model of all that was good in an Apache woman.

  By the time Glendora and Kino had finished speaking with the family, the door had opened again and Gabe stepped in from the cold, still wearing his blue dress uniform. The sight of him made her catch her breath. Her hand went to her mouth, pressing the pads of her fingers to her lips. Judging from the women standing about her, she was not the only one who noticed his arrival. Old and young watched Gabe steer through the crowd. It was not only his striking good looks or the uniform that he filled in all the right places, it was the elegant way he walked and the air of authority that was as much a part of him as his skin. Heads turned and the room quieted again as Gabe spoke first to Mr. and Mrs. Chee and then to Andre. His words were sincere and heartfelt. Like in his eulogy, Gabe spoke of honor and duty and his genuine grief at the loss that was shared by the entire tribe.