with anyone in particular.”
“I’m assuming that you have a very good reason for this request . . . that it has something to do with the bombing that took place on campus yesterday?” he asked.
“Feel free to assume anything you like,” she answeredwith a quick half-smile. Then in a more serious voice, she added, “I trust you with my life, brother, but the less youknow, the safer you’ll be.”
Clifford considered the matter for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll be happy to have you do the driving. I’ll be giving morning and evening lectures starting this coming week. I also have to be there later tonight. There’s a get-together for everyone participating, and I agreed to go.”
“I heard about this evening’s function. I’ll take you to that, and also pick you upfor your lectures, unless something comes up that make it impossible.”
“All right. I’ll let it be known that I’m having problems with my old truck. That way no one will think twice about you giving me a ride,” he said.
When they arrived at the hospital in Shiprock, Ella led the way inside. As soon as they joined Ralph Tache’s family, she stepped away quietly, allowing Clifford some privacy withthem.
Walking farther down the hall, Ella went to the nurse’s station to get an update on the officer. The news wasn’t good. Ralph was still listed in critical condition.
As she glanced back, Ella could see pain and worry on the faces of Tache’s family. The realization of what they were going through—and what still lay ahead—tugged at her, and she turned away. Searching for something to do,she walked to the soft drink machine.
“Hey, Clah,” came a familiar voice from somewhere behind her.
Ella turned around and saw Blalock. “What brings you here?” she asked.
“I came to update you. I stopped by the church to speak to the reverend. He was offering prayers for Tache’s family at the request of his sister and a few other close friends who’d come by to talk to him. Officer Goodluckwas there as well. Tome’s back is well covered, so don’t worry.”
“Thanks for letting me know,” she said.
“The fact that Justine was there to act as his bodyguard wasn’t obvious, and Officer Charlie’s out of uniform now, too, so that helped keep everything low key,” he added. “I also managed to scrounge up a vest for Abednego, that moose of a dog. Seems you promised Reverend Tome one.”
Ellasmiled. “That dog means the world to him. Thanks. I owe you one.”
“You bet you do,” Blalock said with a grin. “Those vests cost around seven hundred bucks, and county didn’t have any to spare. But I managed to get one up from the DEA.”
Ella updated him on the details of the ’round-the-clock coverage she’d put in place to protect Ford.
“Ford’s coming up here as soon as he gets word that yourbrother’s finished the blessing,” Blalock added. “He wants to pay his respects to Officer Tache and say a prayer at his bedside.”
“I’m not sure how that’ll play out—half the family’s Christian, the other, New Traditional.”
“Stand back and let them figure it out,” Blalock advised.
“Yeah, you’re right,” she said. Turning her mind back to the case, she continued. “I’m going to need you to getme everything you can on Dr. Jane Lee. I tried the Internet, but I didn’t get far. You’ve been briefed, right?”
“I got a call right after AD Hansen spoke to your boss, so I’m up to speed on the situation. We can’t risk tipping our hand. I’m in the process of getting a sneak-and-peek warrant so we can enter her house without her knowledge. I’ll let you know when I’ve got the paperwork wrappedup.”
“I’ll be driving my brother to the college campus right after he finishes here. While I’m there, I’ll find out what Dr. Lee’s teaching schedule and office hours are. That way we’ll know when she’s not at home.”
“From everything I’ve turned up so far on this woman, I really
“I’m assuming that you have a very good reason for this request . . . that it has something to do with the bombing that took place on campus yesterday?” he asked.
“Feel free to assume anything you like,” she answeredwith a quick half-smile. Then in a more serious voice, she added, “I trust you with my life, brother, but the less youknow, the safer you’ll be.”
Clifford considered the matter for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll be happy to have you do the driving. I’ll be giving morning and evening lectures starting this coming week. I also have to be there later tonight. There’s a get-together for everyone participating, and I agreed to go.”
“I heard about this evening’s function. I’ll take you to that, and also pick you upfor your lectures, unless something comes up that make it impossible.”
“All right. I’ll let it be known that I’m having problems with my old truck. That way no one will think twice about you giving me a ride,” he said.
When they arrived at the hospital in Shiprock, Ella led the way inside. As soon as they joined Ralph Tache’s family, she stepped away quietly, allowing Clifford some privacy withthem.
Walking farther down the hall, Ella went to the nurse’s station to get an update on the officer. The news wasn’t good. Ralph was still listed in critical condition.
As she glanced back, Ella could see pain and worry on the faces of Tache’s family. The realization of what they were going through—and what still lay ahead—tugged at her, and she turned away. Searching for something to do,she walked to the soft drink machine.
“Hey, Clah,” came a familiar voice from somewhere behind her.
Ella turned around and saw Blalock. “What brings you here?” she asked.
“I came to update you. I stopped by the church to speak to the reverend. He was offering prayers for Tache’s family at the request of his sister and a few other close friends who’d come by to talk to him. Officer Goodluckwas there as well. Tome’s back is well covered, so don’t worry.”
“Thanks for letting me know,” she said.
“The fact that Justine was there to act as his bodyguard wasn’t obvious, and Officer Charlie’s out of uniform now, too, so that helped keep everything low key,” he added. “I also managed to scrounge up a vest for Abednego, that moose of a dog. Seems you promised Reverend Tome one.”
Ellasmiled. “That dog means the world to him. Thanks. I owe you one.”
“You bet you do,” Blalock said with a grin. “Those vests cost around seven hundred bucks, and county didn’t have any to spare. But I managed to get one up from the DEA.”
Ella updated him on the details of the ’round-the-clock coverage she’d put in place to protect Ford.
“Ford’s coming up here as soon as he gets word that yourbrother’s finished the blessing,” Blalock added. “He wants to pay his respects to Officer Tache and say a prayer at his bedside.”
“I’m not sure how that’ll play out—half the family’s Christian, the other, New Traditional.”
“Stand back and let them figure it out,” Blalock advised.
“Yeah, you’re right,” she said. Turning her mind back to the case, she continued. “I’m going to need you to getme everything you can on Dr. Jane Lee. I tried the Internet, but I didn’t get far. You’ve been briefed, right?”
“I got a call right after AD Hansen spoke to your boss, so I’m up to speed on the situation. We can’t risk tipping our hand. I’m in the process of getting a sneak-and-peek warrant so we can enter her house without her knowledge. I’ll let you know when I’ve got the paperwork wrappedup.”
“I’ll be driving my brother to the college campus right after he finishes here. While I’m there, I’ll find out what Dr. Lee’s teaching schedule and office hours are. That way we’ll know when she’s not at home.”
“From everything I’ve turned up so far on this woman, I really
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