petty crimes. This is too organized to be as random as it appears at first glance.”
Big Ed and Ella exchanged a quick look, but neither said anything, wanting to protect their only source—Coyote.
The Hopi agent continued. “What bothers me is that no one’s claiming responsibility. Usually a variety of groups are eager to take the credit, especially when local youth gangs are involved. If nothing else, we should have heard some gossip, and that’s the really weird thing about this. Until now, I never believed it was possible to keep secrets on the Rez.”
“People are distracted these days,”Big Ed said, leaning back in his chair. “They’re fighting for survival.”
Big Ed’s secretary came in holding a police report and handed it silently to her boss.
The chief studied it, then expelled his breath through clenched teeth. “Joe Wallace’s outhouse was blown up. He’s mad as hell and wants officers out there right now.” He glanced at Ella. “I want you to handle this personally, Shorty,and see if you can unruffle his feathers. I shouldn’t have to remind you that his brother is one of the new members of the Tribal Council.”
When the meeting ended, Ella walked to her office with Justine alongside her.
“I appreciate you asking for extra vests,” Justine said. “My family worries about me on the job more than ever now.”
“I don’t like the idea of getting special treatment,” Ellaanswered.
“If there’s only one vest, then it’s right you should get it. The sniper is gunning for you. Besides, you have a young daughter to worry about.” Justine paused, then added, “Not that you’re getting any extra sympathy from me on that count. I think you’re lucky to have a little girl like Dawn.”
Ella looked at her in surprise. “Since when are you into kids? And, just so you know, thereare days when I’d cheerfully give her away to the first person who comes to the door.”
Justine smiled. “Yeah, yeah. You’re tough, Ella. And, to answer your question, I’ve always liked kids, though I doubt I’ll ever have any. Time’s passing, and all that.”
Before Ella could reply, she heard the phone in her office ringing. Jogging ahead, she grabbed it after the third ring.
“Investigator Clah,”Ella snapped as she reached for the phone, but whoever it was had already hung up.
Ella muttered a curse. “I hate it when that happens.” Suddenly her cell phone began to ring. A sick feeling spread over her. Whoever it was sure was trying hard to track her down.
She flipped the unit open with one hand. “Ella Clah,” she answered.
“Ella, it’s me, Kevin. I’ve got some bad news. Your mom is inthe emergency room at the hospital.”
FIVE
Ella felt her stomach plummet. For a moment she couldn’t breathe, or speak.
“Ella, did you hear what I said?”
Through sheer force of will she managed to answer. “What happened? Where’s Dawn?” Ella asked all in the same breath.
“Dawn is safe. She’s with me,” Kevin answered.
Knowing that her daughter was safe and her mother in a place where she was getting help gave Ella time to gatherher wits. “What happened?”
“I’d just turned down the gravel road leading home when I spotted Rose driving in my direction, toward the highway. She was all over the road, but she pulled over when I honked the horn and she saw me trying to get her attention. It turns out she’d cut her hand and was trying to drive herself to the hospital. There was blood everywhere, but you would have been proudof Dawn. She handled it really well. She kept telling Rose ’That’s okay, that’s okay.’ “
Ella smiled, a touch of pride weaving through her. “Dawn’s not an ordinary kid, you know.” Even as she said it, she knew that all moms felt the same about their kids. But Dawn
was
special. “How’s my mother doing now?”
“She’s getting stitched up and should be fine. But listen, Ella, although I was happy togive your mom a ride here, I have
Big Ed and Ella exchanged a quick look, but neither said anything, wanting to protect their only source—Coyote.
The Hopi agent continued. “What bothers me is that no one’s claiming responsibility. Usually a variety of groups are eager to take the credit, especially when local youth gangs are involved. If nothing else, we should have heard some gossip, and that’s the really weird thing about this. Until now, I never believed it was possible to keep secrets on the Rez.”
“People are distracted these days,”Big Ed said, leaning back in his chair. “They’re fighting for survival.”
Big Ed’s secretary came in holding a police report and handed it silently to her boss.
The chief studied it, then expelled his breath through clenched teeth. “Joe Wallace’s outhouse was blown up. He’s mad as hell and wants officers out there right now.” He glanced at Ella. “I want you to handle this personally, Shorty,and see if you can unruffle his feathers. I shouldn’t have to remind you that his brother is one of the new members of the Tribal Council.”
When the meeting ended, Ella walked to her office with Justine alongside her.
“I appreciate you asking for extra vests,” Justine said. “My family worries about me on the job more than ever now.”
“I don’t like the idea of getting special treatment,” Ellaanswered.
“If there’s only one vest, then it’s right you should get it. The sniper is gunning for you. Besides, you have a young daughter to worry about.” Justine paused, then added, “Not that you’re getting any extra sympathy from me on that count. I think you’re lucky to have a little girl like Dawn.”
Ella looked at her in surprise. “Since when are you into kids? And, just so you know, thereare days when I’d cheerfully give her away to the first person who comes to the door.”
Justine smiled. “Yeah, yeah. You’re tough, Ella. And, to answer your question, I’ve always liked kids, though I doubt I’ll ever have any. Time’s passing, and all that.”
Before Ella could reply, she heard the phone in her office ringing. Jogging ahead, she grabbed it after the third ring.
“Investigator Clah,”Ella snapped as she reached for the phone, but whoever it was had already hung up.
Ella muttered a curse. “I hate it when that happens.” Suddenly her cell phone began to ring. A sick feeling spread over her. Whoever it was sure was trying hard to track her down.
She flipped the unit open with one hand. “Ella Clah,” she answered.
“Ella, it’s me, Kevin. I’ve got some bad news. Your mom is inthe emergency room at the hospital.”
FIVE
Ella felt her stomach plummet. For a moment she couldn’t breathe, or speak.
“Ella, did you hear what I said?”
Through sheer force of will she managed to answer. “What happened? Where’s Dawn?” Ella asked all in the same breath.
“Dawn is safe. She’s with me,” Kevin answered.
Knowing that her daughter was safe and her mother in a place where she was getting help gave Ella time to gatherher wits. “What happened?”
“I’d just turned down the gravel road leading home when I spotted Rose driving in my direction, toward the highway. She was all over the road, but she pulled over when I honked the horn and she saw me trying to get her attention. It turns out she’d cut her hand and was trying to drive herself to the hospital. There was blood everywhere, but you would have been proudof Dawn. She handled it really well. She kept telling Rose ’That’s okay, that’s okay.’ “
Ella smiled, a touch of pride weaving through her. “Dawn’s not an ordinary kid, you know.” Even as she said it, she knew that all moms felt the same about their kids. But Dawn
was
special. “How’s my mother doing now?”
“She’s getting stitched up and should be fine. But listen, Ella, although I was happy togive your mom a ride here, I have
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