Authors: Aimee & David Thurlo
Plant Them Deep (27 page)
“I was surprised to see you here tonight,” Rose said as she began to dry off the serving platters Herman had helped her wash. “I know you’ve been up in the mountains.”
“I came down to a trading post for some flashlight batteries, heard about the meeting, and came back right
away. You needed me—whether or not you realize it.”
away. You needed me—whether or not you realize it.”
Rose nodded. “It’s a difficult time for me.” She told him about Lena wanting to go to her family’s hogan in the mountains. “I said I’d do it, but when the time comes, I’m not sure I’ll have the courage.”
“You’ll do what you have to do, woman, just as you’ve always done. You have more courage than anyone I’ve ever met—including your daughter.”
“We have different kinds of strengths.” Rose took a deep breath. “But I
will
keep my promise, somehow.”
will
keep my promise, somehow.”
At sunrise, Rose said her prayers to the dawn, and then left home to begin her search. Everyone would be doing the same today, all day, as long as it took. Ella would join them later today, if she could take time off from the undermanned police force.
They’d set up a communications plan
so that if anyone found either of the plants they were looking for, they’d contact Wilson Joe directly, who was standing by at the college switchboard. Also, each search team was responsible for calling Wilson at two designated times to check the status of the search.
so that if anyone found either of the plants they were looking for, they’d contact Wilson Joe directly, who was standing by at the college switchboard. Also, each search team was responsible for calling Wilson at two designated times to check the status of the search.
It was around two in afternoon by the time she took a break. Willie, who was searching with her, reported in to Wilson and learned
that there was still no positive news from anyone. Rose sat down on one of the boulders and drank the rest of the water she’d brought. As she looked across the field, she saw Willie talking to Bernadette Tso, a member of their group. Moments later, he walked across the canyon toward her. His downcast expression told her that nothing had changed.
that there was still no positive news from anyone. Rose sat down on one of the boulders and drank the rest of the water she’d brought. As she looked across the field, she saw Willie talking to Bernadette Tso, a member of their group. Moments later, he walked across the canyon toward her. His downcast expression told her that nothing had changed.
“We’ve scoured every inch, but there’s nothing
here,” he said. “Our helpers are heading back now. The heat is starting to get to many of us.”
here,” he said. “Our helpers are heading back now. The heat is starting to get to many of us.”
“It’s got to be in the upper nineties. I’m going to head back too,” Rose said in a whisper-thin voice. “We can resume later in another area, as planned, when the weather cools off.”
“Last night I asked some of my former students to search the area right outside the reservation within the Sacred Mountains,
but they haven’t found what you needed,” he said, readjusting the cell phone clipped to his belt. “Our best bet now is to talk to those whose routines require them to be traveling around the back country and ask them to keep an eye out for those plants.”
but they haven’t found what you needed,” he said, readjusting the cell phone clipped to his belt. “Our best bet now is to talk to those whose routines require them to be traveling around the back country and ask them to keep an eye out for those plants.”
One person came immediately to Rose’s mind—Bradford Knight. The ecologist for Southwest Power Company had to
spend a lot of time out in the
field. Maybe he’d be able to help them in this time of crisis, if only to provide good publicity for the company.
spend a lot of time out in the
field. Maybe he’d be able to help them in this time of crisis, if only to provide good publicity for the company.
As the other people who’d joined them at this particular search site walked back to their vehicles, Rose noticed how quiet they all were compared to their earlier, enthusiastic banter. Frustration and sadness were mirrored in all the faces she saw.
Rose, who had come in her pickup
alone, now got under way. As she drove toward Shiprock, she tried to figure out the best way to approach Knight. They weren’t exactly on good terms with each other.
alone, now got under way. As she drove toward Shiprock, she tried to figure out the best way to approach Knight. They weren’t exactly on good terms with each other.
Deciding to stop by the house and wash up first, she turned south on Highway 666 and headed home. She’d just reached the front door when Ella pulled up behind her in her police unit.
“Mom, I was hoping to catch up with you here.
I haven’t been able to take any time off. Did any of the groups have any luck?”
I haven’t been able to take any time off. Did any of the groups have any luck?”
Rose shook her head. “No, and it’s been a very difficult day.” As Rose unlocked the door and went in, Two came up to greet her, but Dawn wasn’t home. “Where’s my granddaughter?” she asked Ella, who was right behind her.
“Boots needed to stay at home today to help out, so she recommended another traditionalist—Anna
Woodis, your Plant Watcher friend’s granddaughter. I called her, she said yes, so I took Dawn to her house.”
Woodis, your Plant Watcher friend’s granddaughter. I called her, she said yes, so I took Dawn to her house.”
Rose nodded. She’d met Fannie Woodis’s family many times, and she approved of Jennifer’s choice. “Why couldn’t she come here?”
“She’s licensed for day care and watches several girls at her home. I’ve dropped by twice today and the kids are very well supervised. My daughter is having a
terrific time.”
terrific time.”
Rose sat down on the sofa. “I’m glad that’s working out, at least.”
“What’s your next move, Mom?”
“I was hoping to get Bradford Knight’s help. He tracks around the reservation a lot and it’s possible he’s seen the plants we need so badly now.”
“That seems like a long shot. What makes you think he ever noticed those two plants in particular, or will remember where he saw them?”
“Desperation, probably,” Rose said with a wry smile. “He’s my last hope. The only other person I know will probably have the plants is the thief, but I haven’t been able to figure out who he is.”
“Then that leaves you with Knight for now.” Ella was about to say more when she got a call. Unclipping the cell phone at her belt, she spoke quickly.
After a moment, she ended the call. “Mom, I’ve got
to go. There’s a disturbance at the high school. Some kids are squaring off in the parking lot and I’m needed for backup. Summer school brings its own problems, I suppose.”
to go. There’s a disturbance at the high school. Some kids are squaring off in the parking lot and I’m needed for backup. Summer school brings its own problems, I suppose.”
Rose watched as her daughter left, but her thought were on the plant crisis. The thief was the key. As a last-ditch idea formed in her mind, Rose called
Bizaadii
, then Sadie Black Shawl,
Gishii
, and Fannie Woodis. The search
had been halted until it cooled off later in the day, so they’d all returned home.
Bizaadii
, then Sadie Black Shawl,
Gishii
, and Fannie Woodis. The search
had been halted until it cooled off later in the day, so they’d all returned home.
An hour later they all met at
Gishii’s
house east of Shiprock.
Gishii’s
house east of Shiprock.
“Tell us your idea. No matter what it is, you can count on us. We all want to help our friend get better,”
Gishii
said.
Gishii
said.
“There’s only one person who’s likely to have the plants we need—the thief,” Rose began. “Although I don’t know who the thief is
yet, I have some ideas of who it might be—suspects, as my daughter would call them. To find out if any of my guesses are right, I’ll need all of you to work with me. We need
to follow each person on my list and see where they lead us.
Bizaadii
, Fannie, I’d like you to follow Curtis Largo. But it’s very important that he doesn’t spot you, because it could be dangerous if he knows what you’re doing.
Stay far away from him, but see where he goes and who he meets.”
yet, I have some ideas of who it might be—suspects, as my daughter would call them. To find out if any of my guesses are right, I’ll need all of you to work with me. We need
to follow each person on my list and see where they lead us.
Bizaadii
, Fannie, I’d like you to follow Curtis Largo. But it’s very important that he doesn’t spot you, because it could be dangerous if he knows what you’re doing.
Stay far away from him, but see where he goes and who he meets.”
“Got it.”
“
Gishii
, Sadie, I need you two to focus on our new traditionalist
hataalii
.” There was no need to mention him by name. That description was enough to identify him.
Gishii
, Sadie, I need you two to focus on our new traditionalist
hataalii
.” There was no need to mention him by name. That description was enough to identify him.
“Who will you be following?” Herman asked.
“I’m going to check out Bradford Knight. I need to ask him if he’s seen ‘white at night’ or ‘baby newborn’ anyway.
After that, I’ll give him plenty of room, then see if he goes anywhere on the Rez.”
After that, I’ll give him plenty of room, then see if he goes anywhere on the Rez.”
“You’re doing that alone?” Herman asked, his tone rising.
“There’s no one else I can ask. I tried to call Jane, but I haven’t been able to reach her at home. But don’t worry. I’ll be careful.”
He shook his head. “It’s too dangerous.”
“I’ll go with Rose,” Sadie said.
“Gishii
can keep calling Jane until she reaches
her, then make the arrangements with her.”
“Gishii
can keep calling Jane until she reaches
her, then make the arrangements with her.”
“But that could take hours,” Rose protested.
“It probably won’t,”
Gishii
said, “but, even if it does, it’s safer if we all have someone with us who can go for help.”
Gishii
said, “but, even if it does, it’s safer if we all have someone with us who can go for help.”
“We need cell phones,” Sadie said. “I’ve got one, so Rose and I are covered.”
“My nephews both have them. I can borrow one of theirs,” Herman said.
Gishii
considered it. “Jane’s daughter
has a cell phone, maybe Jane can borrow hers.”
considered it. “Jane’s daughter
has a cell phone, maybe Jane can borrow hers.”
Taking the phone book, Rose looked up the addresses. All the suspects were listed except Knight, but she already knew where to find him.
“We’re all set,” Rose said. “We’ll stay in touch.”
As soon as the rest of them were on their way, Sadie and Rose climbed into Rose’s truck.
“Why don’t you call Knight on your cell phone and find out if he’s
still in his office?” Rose asked. “If he is, make an appointment for later this afternoon, and tell him it’s urgent. In the meantime, we’ll go to his house.” Seeing the surprised look on Sadie’s face, she added, “I’d like to take a quick look around his home, and I can’t do that if he’s there,” Rose explained. “It would be a way to rule him out quickly, perhaps.”
still in his office?” Rose asked. “If he is, make an appointment for later this afternoon, and tell him it’s urgent. In the meantime, we’ll go to his house.” Seeing the surprised look on Sadie’s face, she added, “I’d like to take a quick look around his home, and I can’t do that if he’s there,” Rose explained. “It would be a way to rule him out quickly, perhaps.”
“You don’t plan to break in,
do you?”
do you?”
“No, of course not. I just want to look around his yard and see what kind of herbs and plants he grows.”
Sadie dialed and asked to speak to Knight. Moments later, she hung up. “Done. He said he was planning to work late tonight anyway, so he’ll be glad to meet us at five.”
A short time later, they arrived at a comfortable-looking ranch-style home on a large, fenced-in lot with an orchard
of old apple trees. “We’re in luck,” Rose said. “The houses are far enough away from each other that his neighbors will have a difficult time seeing us poking around.”
of old apple trees. “We’re in luck,” Rose said. “The houses are far enough away from each other that his neighbors will have a difficult time seeing us poking around.”
“I didn’t see any cars parked in the driveways, so the people in this neighborhood probably all work.”
Rose got out of the pickup and looked around. “See if you can find a way to take a look into his back yard. Just be careful
in case he has a dog.”
in case he has a dog.”
“Okay. What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to see if any doors or windows are open so I can poke my head inside. Then I’m going to check his mailbox.”
“Be careful. Tampering with the mail is a federal offense,” Sadie said.
“I’m not going to tamper—I’m just looking.”
Rose found all the doors and windows shut or locked
partially open, as was the custom in a part of
the country where swamp coolers were so common, so she went up to the mailbox at the end of the drive. Taking the envelopes from the box, she sorted through them. They were mostly bills, but one envelope at the bottom of the stack had come from the Research and Development Division of Herbal Promise, a pharmaceutical company.
partially open, as was the custom in a part of
the country where swamp coolers were so common, so she went up to the mailbox at the end of the drive. Taking the envelopes from the box, she sorted through them. They were mostly bills, but one envelope at the bottom of the stack had come from the Research and Development Division of Herbal Promise, a pharmaceutical company.
Sadie came back as Rose was putting the mail back in place. Reading
the expression on Rose’s face accurately, she smiled. “What did you find?”
the expression on Rose’s face accurately, she smiled. “What did you find?”
Rose hesitated. “It’s probably nothing, but I’m going to check it out further,” she said, telling her about the letter she’d found from Herbal Promise. “Without reading it, which is something I wouldn’t do, I can’t know for sure, but it’s definitely worth looking into.”
“You’re thinking that he might be working in cahoots
with a pharmaceutical firm, and taking the medicinal herbs from the reservation for testing?” Seeing Rose nod, she added, “We have an appointment with him in thirty minutes. Why don’t you ask him straight out if he’s affiliated with any of the pharmaceutical companies?”
with a pharmaceutical firm, and taking the medicinal herbs from the reservation for testing?” Seeing Rose nod, she added, “We have an appointment with him in thirty minutes. Why don’t you ask him straight out if he’s affiliated with any of the pharmaceutical companies?”
Rose shook her head. “He’d probably deny it, and it would just tip our hand,” she said. “The first thing we have to do is find
out if he’s seen ‘white at night’ or ‘baby newborn’ anywhere. Then, after that question is answered, let’s try and see how long he’s planning to be in the office tonight. With luck, we’ll have time to go to your computer and gather up more information on both Herbal Promise and Mr. Knight. Then we can get back to his office and follow him once he leaves work. If he’s already gone by then, we’ll
try to catch him at home, and see if he goes out later.”
out if he’s seen ‘white at night’ or ‘baby newborn’ anywhere. Then, after that question is answered, let’s try and see how long he’s planning to be in the office tonight. With luck, we’ll have time to go to your computer and gather up more information on both Herbal Promise and Mr. Knight. Then we can get back to his office and follow him once he leaves work. If he’s already gone by then, we’ll
try to catch him at home, and see if he goes out later.”
“That’s a good plan, but we can keep an eye on him at the same time we do the research you want. I have a very good
laptop computer, and we can connect it to my cell phone and go on the Internet right here in the pickup.”
laptop computer, and we can connect it to my cell phone and go on the Internet right here in the pickup.”
“All right. We don’t have time to stop and get your computer now, otherwise I’d suggest going there first, but once
we leave his office, we’ll get your laptop and then go right back to keep an eye on him,” Rose said, driving in the direction of the coal power plant where Knight had his office. “By the way, what did you see around the back of his house, besides the apple trees? Anything interesting?”
we leave his office, we’ll get your laptop and then go right back to keep an eye on him,” Rose said, driving in the direction of the coal power plant where Knight had his office. “By the way, what did you see around the back of his house, besides the apple trees? Anything interesting?”
“There’s quite a bit of land back there—maybe two acres or more. There’s a huge outbuilding in the center of
the orchard—maybe it’s a barn. I couldn’t really see much more than that because of the trees in the way. But if we drove up onto the mesa to the north, we might be able to see over the trees, providing we have a good set of binoculars.”
the orchard—maybe it’s a barn. I couldn’t really see much more than that because of the trees in the way. But if we drove up onto the mesa to the north, we might be able to see over the trees, providing we have a good set of binoculars.”
They arrived at Bradford Knight’s office, in an administrative building beside the massive power plant facility, right at five o’clock. The secretary ushered
them in, and as they took a chair, Knight looked up from the computer. He looked tired, and his face was pale for a man who spent so much time outside.
them in, and as they took a chair, Knight looked up from the computer. He looked tired, and his face was pale for a man who spent so much time outside.
“I understand that you had to speak to me on an urgent matter. What can I do for you?”
“You travel around the reservation, studying the land as part of your work, and must spend a lot of time looking at the vegetation,” Rose said. “Do you ever
notice the small shrubs and native plants, or do you just study the varieties that could be used in land reclamation?”
notice the small shrubs and native plants, or do you just study the varieties that could be used in land reclamation?”
“My main concern has been reclamation. Restoring the ground cover effectively and economically is what my job’s all about. Why do you ask?” Knight turned away and coughed into a handkerchief.
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