Death Walker (17 page)

Despite the logic of it, Ella felt her hands grow clammy with sweat. She picked up the mike and radioed Justine. A moment later, the line secure, she got an update on the stakeout.

“If you need me there, I can delay this meeting,” Ella said.

“No. Nothing’s happening here. In fact, the parking lot is almost empty right now. Business won’t pick up again until the work crowd starts heading home.”

“All right. I’ll come and relieve you as soon as possible.”

“No rush. If one of us has to pay Yazzie a visit, then I’m glad it’s you. You have far more experience with him than I do, and I have a feeling I’d be hopelessly outmatched. He scares the bejeezus out of me, to be honest.”

Ella bit back the obvious reply. He scared the bejeezus out of her too. Crazy people had a way of doing that. Normal
rules and constraints didn’t apply to them, so their behavior was always unpredictable. With Yazzie it was all that and more. “He’s not an easy one to deal with. But he’s just a man,” she replied staunchly. “Of course, he
does
have a few more tricks up his sleeve than an ordinary crook.”

There was a pause at the other end. “He’s dangerous. Don’t kid yourself.”

There was something so sobering
about Justine’s tone. Ella felt her stomach clench. “Yeah, well, I’ll keep it in mind. Ten-four.”

As she drove toward the hospital, she tried to psych herself up for that meeting. The last time Peterson had spoken to her was the day she’d taken him into custody. He’d given her a brief warning. She could still see him in her mind’s eye mouthing the words “we’re not finished with you.” As time
had gone by, Ella had viewed it as just another threat from a disturbed felon. Now she wasn’t so sure.

A short time later, Ella was escorted through the last security door in the hospital lobby, and up to Dr. Kring’s office.

The tall Anglo was pacing behind his desk as she walked in. His gray eyes were framed by lines of tension. “I’m glad you’re here. We’re having major problems with Yazzie.
He’s increasingly hostile, and is making the lives of my staff miserable. None of the methods I use on my other patients work with him. I was hoping you could give me some insights on how to deal with him. I don’t believe in this skinwalker stuff, but I’m willing to use his own beliefs to control him. Is there any way to neutralize his supposed powers?”

“No, not really. I mean there are complex
ceremonies, but they’re meant to restore harmony and undo any harm the skinwalker has caused. Peterson wouldn’t be touched by it. Even if you brought in a Singer, Peterson would be up to his old tricks the second he left.”

Kring’s hands clenched into fists, then slowly unclenched. “He’s undermining the morale of my staff, and I’ve only got the best, most professional people around.”

“What’s
going on now?”

“He’s insisting on having his personal radio. He wants to listen to the Navajo station. Initially I said no. Then, from what I understand, he asked his lawyer to contact you.”

“Cohen did, but when I spoke to him, I agreed to put in a good word with you only if Peterson gave me the name of someone I’m looking for.”

Kring nodded slowly. “Okay. I understand what’s happening. Either
he doesn’t want to give you the name or he doesn’t have one. But he’s determined to get me to agree to the damn radio, and he’s hedging his bets.”

“How?”

“He’s playing tricks. If I find his accomplice, I’ll barbecue his butt, then make sure he never gets a job like this again.”

“What’s going on?”

“When I confined Yazzie to his room, he promised to make things difficult for everyone else too.”
He gestured toward the wall. “Then the electric power in this institution started going off and on at random. I’ve had two electricians out here, and nobody can explain it. It isn’t happening anywhere else in the area, just at this institution. They’ve checked the wiring, but so far they’ve found nothing.”

Ella shrugged. “He’s definitely using this problem of yours, but he may not be responsible
for it.”

“You think that hadn’t occurred to me? But let me tell you what happened last night. The electricians had been here and the lights were on again. I was about to go home when I learned that Yazzie had asked to telephone his lawyer. I went to talk to him myself. I told him he’d have to wait until morning. His behavior didn’t warrant any special favors.”

“What happened then?”

“He was
furious with me. I could see it on his face. Then he went to the light switch. Two orderlies stepped toward him and he stopped. He stared and stared at the switch. I finally got up to leave. By the time I stepped into the hall, we were in total darkness again. I could hear him laughing inside his room.”

“He wants you to think his powers can even affect electricity. The timing was pure luck.”

“Yes, but he knows how to milk it, and he’s got half of my staff ready to quit. I want things back to normal. I’m sick and tired of all his games. I’m ready to give Yazzie a battery-powered radio just as long as he behaves. We don’t allow electrical cords in a patient’s room because they could use them to hang themselves or choke someone. Do you have any objections?”

“To a radio, yes. A tape player
would be much better. But don’t give him anything yet. Let me talk to him first.”

“I’ll have him brought to one of the secure conference rooms. And I’ll have two of our orderlies standing by just outside, watching through the glass.”

“Good.”

Ten minutes later, after leaving both her handguns locked in Kring’s desk, Ella was face-to-face with her worst nightmare. Peterson’s eyes were flint hard,
but his expression was amicable. “Oh, I’m so pleased to see you again, cousin!”

Ella nodded once. “Seems you’ve been creating quite a ruckus around here.”

He opened his palms in a self-deprecating gesture. “In my own small way, I do try to keep things from getting too boring.”

“You’re doing an admirable job. I commend you.”

“High praise from a worthy adversary. So how is your life nowadays?
I understand that you have my old office. Does it remind you of me?”

“No. I’ve changed everything except the desk. It’s almost as if you were never there, really,” she said casually.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I would have liked to think that you missed me. I do miss you and your family. We used to be so close.”

Ella knew that she must not lose her temper. Although it was taking every shred of
will power she possessed, she forced a smile. “They were fond of you too. But then again, that’s what made you such an effective criminal. Of course your moments of success are over for good, now. The victory was clearly ours.”

Peterson’s eyes flashed with anger, but in a heartbeat his poise returned and there was only calm reflected there. “There are many battles yet to be fought,” he answered
simply. “I understand, in fact, that you’ve requested my help. A name?”

Ella felt her heart drumming against her ribs. Maybe to keep her off balance, he would go ahead and give her a name. “An even trade. Something useful for something useful.”

Peterson gave her a slow, easy smile. “I’m very surprised that you didn’t find what you needed long before now. The key to your success was there within
your reach for quite some time.”

Ella remembered the break-in at her office, and knew he was referring to the missing key. “Speak plainly,” she snapped, determined not to reveal what she knew.

“You don’t really expect me to just hand you a name, do you? My, shall we say, associates, wouldn’t exactly approve of such a thing. Besides, where’s the sport? Instead of a name, how about if I give you
a color? Think blue.” He smiled as if inordinately pleased with himself. “Now, about my radio. Please, nothing with earphones. They give me a headache. I’ll need a supply of new batteries too. Any good brand will do. Use your own judgment there.”

“What radio? You haven’t given me anything.”

“I’ve given you everything you need to know,” Yazzie said indignantly. “Don’t tell me you’re going to
welch on our deal. Don’t you think you can figure it out?”

“
When
I do, you’ll get a tape player, but no radio.”

“What is it with you, L.A. Woman? Do you lose your nerve around me? Or was it after that man ate a bullet in front of you in Farmington?”

She stood up slowly, resisting the urge to reach across the table and rip out his jugular with her thumbnail. “If you hadn’t spoken in riddles,
then you wouldn’t have as long to wait.”

“How about giving me a radio with only one set of batteries? If, by the time they wear out, you still haven’t got what you want, then we’ll both have nothing.”

Ella held his eyes, refusing to look away. He was taunting her. To not give him something was to de facto admit that she lacked the confidence to match wits with him. “You’ll get a tape player
with old batteries, and whatever music the people here can dig up.”

He chuckled softly. “Once you puzzle it out, I’m sure you’ll see just how wonderfully helpful I’ve been. Perhaps then you’ll come back and pay me another visit. I get lonely without my old friends.”

“We’ll see.”

She saw him gazing at some spot behind her, and turning slightly, she followed his gaze to the wall switch. She glanced
back at him, and he smiled benignly. She forced herself not to flinch. He had the look one would expect to see from someone who enjoyed pulling the legs off lizards.

“All my love to your mom, Ella,” he said as she left the room.

Ella stopped by Kring’s office and gave him a brief report. “Make sure he gets something with batteries that have been used for a while. I don’t trust him.”

Ella strode
out to her vehicle, lost in thought. Mind games. Peterson Yazzie excelled at those. The clue he’d given her about the color blue could mean almost anything. It was the type of clue that would only mean something
after
she found her own answers. Damn him.

Ella tried to tell herself that it was just police work, that it had nothing to do with pride. But the game had changed. She not only had to
deal with skinwalkers who had singled her family out for their revenge, but with the People’s strong belief that more harm would befall the tribe until the balance was restored. And there was a killer to bring to justice. Was it all connected? She hoped no more would die before she made the final move.

TEN

Ella arrived at the Farmington post office just outside the Rez shortly after seven. She parked across the street and walked inside.

Justine was walking around the lobby, pretending to sort through mail in her hand, glancing only casually at those who entered. Ella gave her a nod, and met her by the self-serve desk next to the postal scale.

“I’ve been here all of today. No one’s opened
that box. I don’t think my cover’s blown either. No one’s paid attention to me at all, except for a cute guy who tried to strike up a conversation. Either this isn’t a pressing letter, or the recipient has no idea it’s coming.”

“That’s not only possible, it’s likely. From what Dr. Kring told me, Yazzie doesn’t talk to anyone except Bruce Cohen, his lawyer.”

“So this stakeout could go on for
several more days.”

“No, not really. We don’t have the manpower to invest on it. I figure we’ll do another full day, then we’ll have to pull back unless Big Ed gives us some backup.”

Ella shifted so she could see the entrance doors. “Why don’t you go home, have dinner, then come back tomorrow? I’ll finish tonight’s watch.”

“I can stay…”

“You’ve done more than your share already today. I’ll
take over. Go home, get some rest, and we’ll meet at the office tomorrow at seven
A.M.
We need some time to catch each other up on the case.” Ella picked out some discarded envelopes from the trash. These would add to her cover.

“See you tomorrow then.”

Ella watched Justine walk out of the post office, her assistant blinking in the direct sunlight. She could tell Justine was beat. Sometimes
lengthy stakeouts punctuated by nothing but boredom turned out to be the hardest ones to handle.

Ella strolled around the lobby keeping several empty envelopes in her hand as she pretended to walk to one box, then another, as patrons entered or exited.

For an hour, nothing happened. Even the walk-in traffic began to trickle to practically nothing. The janitor came, swept the floor and emptied
the trash cans, then left. Noticing that a broom had been left out, and needing to stay busy, Ella picked it up and pretended to be part of the cleaning crew.

Ten minutes later, restless, and almost certain that once again she’d wasted their time, Ella stopped sweeping and glanced around. The post office lobby was completely empty. She was putting the broom back when an Indian man wearing a baseball
cap and a blue windbreaker ambled up slowly to the section she was watching. Ella moved to one side, trying to figure out if he was going to the right box. His back was to her and he was blocking her view. She strolled toward him casually just as he opened the door and extracted the letter.

Ella stopped, not wanting to alert him, but something about her actions must have spooked the man. He turned
and raced out the door.

“Police officer! Stop!” she ordered, but the man never slowed.

Ella was only a few yards behind him when she saw him jump inside an old Chevy and take off down the street. It took Ella less than ten seconds to reach her Jeep. He wouldn’t be able to get far. Requesting backup from the Farmington police and giving a general description of the car, she weaved through the
early evening traffic. She kept her eyes glued on the speeding vehicle ahead. No way he was eluding her.

Ella saw the Chevy turn into an alley behind some old four-story businesses facing Main Street. She pressed down on the accelerator, anxious to keep him in sight. It was just a matter of time before he was intercepted by the Farmington police or she forced him to pull over. Either way, this
jerk wasn’t getting away.

As Ella entered the alley, she felt a prickling over her skin that warned her of trouble. Her cop instincts began working overtime. Her gaze darted everywhere, searching beyond the illuminated area of her headlights with her searchlight to see around the Dumpsters.