Death Walker (14 page)

As she drove to the church, Ella found herself appreciating the opportunity more and more. She parked in the new church’s parking lot, then
climbed around the base of the hill. She stayed low, searching for the best vantage point. Almost instinctively, she searched for signs that someone else might have already beaten her to the punch.

Ella moved almost silently, selecting the best cover the rocky ground provided. Her gaze was ever vigilant, but she was certain she was alone.

Hearing the cars beginning to arrive below, she moved
closer to the gathering, hoping for the best possible look at the proceedings. Dissatisfied, she edged further downhill. She wanted to study the faces of those around Haske, rather than the
hataalii
himself. From hiding, she’d have the advantage of a fly on the wall. People would react naturally if they didn’t know they were being watched by a cop.

After a few minutes of moving about, she settled
down in the middle of a thick outgrowth of silvery green sage. She watched Haske, with his herb mixture bowls before him, sitting on a blanket facing the group of five students. Their ages ranged from early twenties to late forties, and that disparity surprised her.

Ella recognized Duncan James, the oldest person at the lecture not counting the Singer. If memory served her, he’d been interested
in becoming a
hataalii
himself once, but something hadn’t worked out. She couldn’t remember what. Nowadays, James owned a garage in Shiprock. It surprised her to see him take time off during the day to be here. She made a mental note to talk to him about it later.

One face in the crowd made her smile. Justine was right there, next to a young man maybe a year or two younger than she. He was dressed
in tan slacks, and had his hair cut short, almost shaved around his ears, in a style currently popular among Anglo youths. Although the student’s attention was ostensibly on Haske, his body language, like his proximity to Justine, spoke of a thinly veiled interest in her.

Ella’s eyes drifted to the two remaining young women. Ella recognized both. Irma Betone and Louella Francisco were both aspiring
teachers. Like their mothers, they wanted to teach at Shiprock schools.

Ella studied every expression except Justine’s, but no one in the group appeared to harbor anything more sinister than curiosity or interest. As Haske continued his presentation, Ella kept her eyes peeled for new arrivals, but no one else showed up.

Almost ninety minutes later the class broke up, and Haske expressed his
pleasure that they had listened so well. Ella saw Justine leave with the young man. As the others drove off in their vehicles, Ella remained where she was. Kee Dodge had been killed in a remote area like this one. She watched over Haske as he gathered his bowls and herbs and carefully packed them into a box.

Ella had intended to remain where she was but then, unexpectedly, Haske glanced up. His
gaze seemed to find her, despite the thick grasses that had kept her from discovery.

“Why don’t you come down now?” he said calmly. “We can talk again, and perhaps you can tell me why you’ve been hiding.”

There was no way Haske could have known it was she, though he must have caught her movement when she selected that particular spot. This was the second time something like this had happened
to her. She began to wonder if perhaps she had suffocating body odor, or halitosis that traveled for miles.

“I had a feeling you might come back,” Haske continued, “once you knew that my students often include those from the college.”

With her pride stinging, Ella stood up, brushed off her jeans, and stepped out into the open.

Haske smiled at her. “All hunters spook their game every once in
a while. Don’t look so disappointed. I’m always aware of my surroundings. It’s second nature to a
hataalii.
”

Ella approached him curiously. “How could you have possibly known it was me?”

“I didn’t know who or what was there at first. But I saw two birds fly away from that area and not return. I considered the possibility that an animal was wandering about. Only then, as the breeze blew toward
me, I smelled that delightful perfume you wear.”

“I don’t wear perfume, uncle,” Ella protested.

“Soap, then. It reminds me of wildflowers. It’s very light. But I remembered it from when you came to my hogan.”

Ella nodded. “My shampoo.” At least this was an explanation she could understand and accept. In the city no one would have been able to discern that subtle essence, but out here things
were different. Some people, particularly the older ones, were highly attuned to scents.

“Now tell me what you were trying to accomplish. You could have joined us, you know. Everyone is welcome.”

“I wanted to observe your students without them knowing,” she answered, although now she was wondering how effective she’d been.

Haske began loading things into the back of his old truck. “I suppose
that means you’ve found nothing new to help you on your case.”

“Not enough to help me get the murderer,” she admitted.

He expelled his breath in a weary sigh. “As the time passes, the danger to the
Dineh
and especially to you and your family becomes more acute. Are you aware of that?”

“In what way do you mean?”

“Your list of enemies is growing. There’s already been talk that your family attracts
disharmony and evil.”

“That’s outrageous! We fight it.”

“There is some truth to what they’re saying.” Haske raised one hand, stemming her protests. “To find harmony there must be balance. That requires the darkness as well as the light. Of course that’s a philosophical viewpoint, and not the way they meant it at all.”

“Please, help me stop talk like that before it creates a severe problem.”

“You can count on that, despite the fact that a problem already exists. But I also want you to promise to stop shadowing
my
movements. I am a
hataalii.
I am as capable of taking care of myself as you are. I don’t carry a gun, but my ways can be effective, particularly when dealing with our own people.”

“It may not be skinwalkers, uncle. I tell you that in confidence because you need to be aware
that the threat facing the tribe may be different from what it appears to be.”

Haske nodded slowly. “The face of the threat may be different, but the fear it feeds on is the same.”

Ella searched his eyes, trying to figure out what he knew and how much he simply guessed at. Despite her training, she was unable to read the old man. Haske exuded power and confidence, but even those were no match
against a cold blade, or a bullet. “Overconfidence can be fatal, uncle. I don’t mean any disrespect; it’s only a warning for your benefit.”

Haske nodded. “I tell you again not to worry about me. Your concern should be focused inward. You are the one in the most danger. The ones you hunt will also hunt you. I only have myself and my patients to worry about. There are many who are depending on
you. Your attention is constantly being diverted, and that makes you vulnerable.”

“You have a point. But, like you, I also have my training, and my abilities.” Ella smiled at him. “I’ll make a deal with you. You watch your back and I’ll watch mine.”

Haske chuckled. “That’s a done deal.”

Ella went back to her vehicle, this time walking down the trail that the other cars had followed. Haske’s
charisma was every bit as strong now as it had been in his younger days. In fact, maybe it was even more so. His ability to blend inner strength with gentleness of spirit made him appear completely indomitable. She thought of her brother. Clifford also exuded power and confidence, but he masked his own gentleness, not yet recognizing it as a strength. She wondered if her brother would ever possess
the presence that came so effortlessly to Haske.

As Ella slipped behind the wheel, she heard her radio crackle alive with static. She picked up the mike and acknowledged the call.

“Bruce Cohen from the public defender’s office wants you to call him as soon as possible,” the dispatcher informed her.

“Give me the number.” She jotted it down as the dispatcher read it over the air. “Ten-four.”

Ella picked up her cellular and telephoned Cohen. After a moment, Cohen came on the line.

“I think we should meet. I’d like to discuss a few privileges my client would like extended to him as soon as possible,” Cohen said in a taut voice.

There was an unmistakable tension in his tone that told Ella he was worried about something.

“Name the place and the time,” Ella said.

“How about at Danny’s?
I can be there in forty minutes. Will that be a problem for you?”

Ella was certain the edge in Cohen’s tone indicated fear, but she couldn’t figure out what was behind it. “I’ll be there.”

“Okay,” Cohen said, then hung up.

Ella replaced the receiver, lost in thought. This didn’t have the feel of a trap, but something was definitely up. She decided to get to Danny’s early and take a good look
around before the meeting. Under the circumstances, a little caution couldn’t hurt.

EIGHT

Danny’s coffee shop, off the reservation and just a block off East Main in Farmington, was a popular eatery among the locals. It reminded Ella of a little place she’d frequented back in L.A. The sudden memory of her last visit there speeded up her heartbeat, and she made a mental note to be extremely alert.

She watched the entrance doors for several minutes, paying particular attention
to anyone who seemed to be wandering by, or hanging about. Finally Cohen arrived, parked by the side, and went in without looking her way. He was alone and seemed nervous, as if afraid someone might see him there.

Ella left her vehicle. Unable to detect any signs of trouble, she stepped through the side door. Cohen saw her almost immediately and hurried to meet her.

“Come on. I don’t want to
dally,” he said. “I’m in the corner booth.”

“What’s the matter?” Ella asked, sliding in and facing the room.

“You weren’t followed, were you? I’m sure I wasn’t.”

“No, and I checked out the area before I came in. What’s up?”

Cohen shifted nervously in his seat. “I’m taking one hell of a chance talking to you. Maybe this was a mistake.”

“It probably will be, unless you tell me what’s going
on.”

Cohen’s gaze darted around and sweat began to bead near his hairline. “Shit. This is getting too weird for me. I’m just a public defender trying to do a job. I don’t need this extra crap.”

“If you tell me what’s going on, I’ll do my best to help you,” Ella insisted quietly. “You came this far. Now take it all the way.” A waitress older than Ella’s mother came up and placed glasses of water
in front of them. Declining the laminated menus, Ella and Cohen ordered iced teas.

Cohen took a long shuddering breath. “I had a message from Yazzie today. There’s a new letter he wants me to mail.”

Ella gave him a quizzical look. There had to be more to it than that. Cohen looked ready to bolt. “And?”

“He also told me to check with your brother, and see what happens to the families of those
who cross him.” He wiped the perspiration from his forehead. “When I looked into it, I found out that your sister-in-law lost a child last year. We only found out two days ago that my wife is pregnant. No one knew.
No one.
But I don’t need a sworn statement to know what he meant.”

“It may have been nothing more than an accurate shot in the dark,” she said, not really believing it herself.

“Give
me a break. He knows Rachel is pregnant. That’s all there is to it. I’m a logical man. I’m willing to concede he could have had someone look through our trash and find the home pregnancy kit. But if he did that, then he could conceivably do a lot of other things too.” Cohen bit the inside of his cheek and looked around furtively. “This guy’s spark plugs aren’t all firing, but he’s smarter than
hell. Is it possible he’s also found out I talked with you?”

“No,” she said flatly, “but I might as well tell you, he’s very good at mind games. He’ll probe, and if he spots the slightest weakness he’ll zero in on that. He’ll watch your every reaction for answers. Unless you’re careful, you’ll be giving him all he needs to get leverage over you.” Ella sipped the iced tea the waitress had brought.

“I take pride in my work as a public defender, but this Yazzie is some piece of work.” He spat out the words as if they left a sour taste in his mouth. “I’ll be damned if I’m going to let this psychopath threaten my family.”

Even the macho pride in his words couldn’t disguise his fear. And if she could sense it, Ella had no doubt that Peterson already had. “Don’t try to brazen it out with Yazzie.
You’ll be better off letting him see you’re scared. Allow him to think you wouldn’t cross him for the world and that he’s got you precisely where he wants you. His ego wants to believe that anyway.”

Cohen regarded her carefully. “Well put. The fact I’m scared to death shows, right, no matter how I try to hide it?”

“It’s natural to be frightened of someone like Yazzie.”

Cohen shifted nervously
in his seat, making the vinyl crackle in protest. “Listen, just in case we’re being watched, I want you to give me something to take back to my client.”

“What’s he asking for?”

“He wants a radio in his room to listen to the Navajo radio station. When I spoke to Dr. Kring, he said he’d have to ask your boss first. Yazzie told me to talk to you directly. He said you understood him better and I
was to remind you that you needed him. Something about harmony, and the light needing the dark.”

The words, so close to what Haske had told her, made her skin crawl. Yet there was no way he could have known about the conversation. He was just utilizing their beliefs and hoping to strike a nerve. “Tell him we’ve met, and that I’ll consider a trade. I know what he wants. Now tell him I want the
name of whoever had access to the cache of explosives stolen from the construction site.”

“You’re kidding. Just like that?”

“Sure. He wants something from me. Now let’s see what he’s willing to trade for it.”