Never-ending-snake (47 page)

Standing
beside the undercover officer, who was slumped down, his head resting on his shoulders, Marie held up her hand. The gathering went dead quiet within seconds. Tears filled her eyes—it wasn’t an act—and for a while she couldn’t speak. Everyone remained silent, respecting her situation, but cameras continued to flash.

Finally Marie found her voice. “My husband was brutally attacked, and for his
protection he was moved to a hospital in Albuquerque. We all went into hiding, unable to tell anyone—even our closest friends and relatives. For that, and for the lies that had to be told, we apologize and ask for
your understanding. But now we know the truth behind what happened to him and Mr. Tolino, and those responsible will soon face arrest—and justice.”

More camera flashes went off, and
cell phones were aimed, recording every second in photos and video. Ella’s gaze drifted to Abigail, who was trying not to look too interested, but it was clear she was hanging on every word. Then Ella noticed Abigail glance to the left, where Martin Tallman, the attorney, was standing. He nodded slightly, and Abigail switched her gaze back to Marie. Abigail had probably been on the phone with him
this morning. The Yellowhairs had a sixth sense for danger, and always lawyered up when trouble loomed on the horizon.

Marie continued, shifting her attention back and forth between the media cameras. “I’m speaking on behalf of my husband. Afterwards, I’ll try to answer some of your questions.”

Marie gave them a brief rundown of what had happened, then according to Ella’s plan, added, “Adam
couldn’t remember anything connected to the shooting for days. Then his memory began to return just as the doctors said it would. But there were still a lot of gaps in what he recalled. That’s why he didn’t think he’d be much help to the police. All he could do was tap his finger—once for yes, two for no.”

“What changed?” one of the Anglo reporters called out.

“Yesterday, I began sorting through
some old mail I picked up on a secret trip back home. That’s when I found a small package Adam had mailed to himself—a memory card full of audio recordings.” She held up the small memory chip so everyone could see and photograph it. “Once I realized what it was, I called the police immediately,” she said, then taking a breath, continued. “Although we were asked by the authorities to keep this
private for now, we’ve decided against that. Too many questions have been raised about my husband’s loyalties, so we wanted to set the record straight
once and for all. Someone betrayed my family
and
the tribe in the process. I want that person unmasked now in front of everyone.”

Marie stuck the memory card into a small handheld player, then turned up the volume.

First they heard the voice of
Councilman Begaye explaining that the bribe money hadn’t been delivered. That was followed by Abigail Yellowhair, demanding to know what had happened to the money, and saying that, one way or another, she’d make sure that her investment in IFT paid off. The recording was slightly muffled to make appear as if it had been made by a handheld device hidden, maybe, inside a pocket.

As the recording
continued, those familiar with Abigail’s voice turned toward her. By the time the brief conversation ended, everyone’s attention was focused in her direction.

Tallman came over. “Tell everyone the truth,” he advised, placing a hand on Abigail’s shoulder.

“That’s a fake. I never had that conversation,” Abigail said confidently, directly into the cameras. “This is a scam played out by police officers
who don’t have a clue about what’s really going on.”

Ella watched her play it cool—all self-righteous indignation without any trace of hesitation. Unfortunately for Abigail, her voice matched the one they’d just heard on the audio recording. Even her lawyer had seemed surprised at first, though he’d quickly recovered.

Benny raised his arm, very slowly at first, struggling. He managed to get
it up nearly to his eye level, then held out his hand. He wiggled his finger twice. Marie started crying, and Blalock, who’d come up beside her, put his arm around her shoulders with surprising tenderness. Sheriff Taylor was there as well, his eyes on Ella, in on the plan and waiting for the reaction.

Chaos erupted as reporters yelled yes or no questions, each louder than the last.

Abigail took
a step forward and pointed her finger at Benny, pure hatred on her face. “You’re a fake and a liar. The real Adam Lonewolf died this morning during surgery!”

“How did you know, Mrs. Yellowhair?” Ella spoke, realizing she had to use the evidence they already had on hand. “Another spy you’ve paid off? I’m taking you into custody right now. Even if you somehow manage to avoid a life sentence for
the murder of a tribal hero, we already have enough to send you to jail for a long, long time. Somebody in your little conspiracy decided to cut a deal this morning.”

Ella motioned toward the booking area, where Justine was standing. Next to her was IFT employee Charles Williams, the county’s district attorney, and another man in an expensive suit that screamed lawyer. Williams didn’t look happy
at all. Justine was in a good mood, however, and smiled as she removed a set of handcuffs from Williams’ wrists.

Abigail managed a laugh, though her bluster was rapidly fading. “Lying to save his own skin, no doubt. You’ll never make any of those accusations stick,” she said. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with, Clah. I’ve lost my husband and two daughters trying to better myself
and
the
tribe. I’ve given everything I had, even my fortune, for others. You’ve given up, what, a few weekends on the job when you couldn’t go for a hike with your little girl? Prepare for the biggest fight of your life. I’m not rotting away in some jail cell.”

Ella grabbed Abigail’s wrists and slapped on the handcuffs tightly. “That’s a sad excuse for all the harm you’ve caused to innocent people. She’s
all yours, Agent Blalock. Her interstate crimes place her under federal jurisdiction.”

Anger flashed in Abigail’s eyes. “You and I aren’t through,
Ella Clah. I have a
long
memory. Tallman, get me in front of a judge. I want to be home before dark.”

Blalock stepped forward, then turned Abigail over to Sheriff Taylor and Sergeant Neskahi. The officers motioned her toward the entrance, currently
blocked by photographers with flashing cameras. Abigail stopped and turned around one last time. “Don’t think you’ve won,” she said, glaring at Ella. “The tribal chairman won’t want this cloud hanging over him. You’ll need more information than you’ve got, and I’m your only hope of getting that.”

As Abigail was taken away, Ella knew she was right. Somewhere down the pike, Abigail would be back—with
a vengeance.

“Looks like you’ve made yourself another enemy. She’ll be gunning for you the second she gets a chance,” Blalock said.

“She’ll have to take a number,” Ella said. “By the way, Dwayne, getting Williams to spill his guts was a real gift, and at just the right time. How did you get him to fold like that?”

“Once I showed him the cash withdrawals from Yellowhair’s accounts, copies of
her flight itinerary, and told him we had surveillance of his last meeting with the woman, he crumbled like fresh cornbread. With aggravated assault and a murder now connected to his actions, he faces conspiracy charges and serious jail time. We could also nail him for accepting kickbacks, soliciting and accepting bribes, and a host of other civil violations—not to mention informing the IRS about
illegal income he had no way of declaring. So I got him, his lawyer, and the DA on the phone together and suggested a deal. I said he could turn back the clock by returning the money and cooperating with us in nailing Mrs. Yellowhair. He accepted the offer before I’d even finished talking.”

“Nice. We don’t really have surveillance video of that meeting, do we?”

“No, but from the way he cringed
and came forth with
the details of his meetings and conversations with Mrs. Yellowhair, I figure it must be on somebody’s video somewhere,” Blalock said, chuckling.

Big Ed came up and shook FB-Eyes’ hand before turning to her. “Good work, Shorty.”

“You’ve got the hard part, Chief,” she said gesturing to the crowd of reporters on a feeding frenzy, including Norm Hattery, who was at the front
of the pack. “When Adam Lonewolf died this morning in surgery, our plan was suddenly turned upside down. You’re going to face some tough questions from the Traditionalists for the way we used his death to catch his killers. The tribe has lost a real hero—twice.”

“I can take the heat. My heart goes out to the victim’s loved ones. His wife showed a lot of courage this morning, going through the
act like she did. I respect her for that. Marie Lonewolf needs a reminder of our gratitude—and an escort back to her family.”

“I’ll take care of that, Chief,” Ella said. “It’ll be my honor.”

Three days passed. Ella was helping Kevin gather his things while Dawn, upset that her father was leaving, had barely said a word to either of them.

“I’ll always find time to come and see you,” Kevin told
Dawn, who was standing in the doorway to her room as if to block the way. “There’s no need for you to be upset.”

“It’s just not fair! You two like each other. I know you do,” Dawn said.

“Yes, we do,” Ella admitted, “but a man and a woman need more than friendship to make things work.”

“No, they don’t.
Shimasání
says that only the Anglo world believes in romantic love and that’s why they’re
always getting divorced.”

Kevin laughed and looked at Ella. “She’s got a point.”

Ella scowled at Kevin, then glanced at Dawn. “Your father and I need a chance to talk. Isn’t it time to groom Wind?” Ella said, referring to Dawn’s beloved pony.

Suddenly Dawn’s expression brightened and there was a hopeful gleam in her eye. “Wait—are you saying that you two need time alone? No problem. I’m outta
here.”

Ella sighed as her daughter hurried off. “I should have phrased that differently. You need to quit giving her false hope, Kevin.”

Kevin stopped packing and, for a moment, met Ella’s gaze. “Think about it, Ella. She’s right, you know. The things that used to separate us . . . they aren’t there so much anymore.”

Ella remembered the days when Kevin’s career ambitions had been the focal
point of his life. Even Dawn had come in second. “You still spend a lot of time in Washington. Not that I blame you. Working in and around the nation’s capital must bring an incredible level of excitement and satisfaction. The position I was offered over there is pretty much a dream job—”

“So you
are
going,” he said, interrupting her. “That’s going to be great for your career. I think you’ll
find that life in D.C. is addictive in its own way.
I’m
sure going to miss it—and the chance to be around Dawn a lot more.”

She’d been folding one of his shirts, but suddenly stopped and looked up. “Wait. What?”

“I’m not going back. Remember me telling you about those vibes I’d been getting from my bosses? Well, it turns out that with all the irons in the fire, the tribal council has decided
we need to cut the budget and reduce expenses. We’ve had some major capital outlays recently with the casino, the generating station, and that new uranium extraction operation. At least that’s the tribe’s position. Personally I think it’s because of pressure from Councilman Natani, who resents the bad name I’ve given the casino.”

He gave her a wry smile. “I can’t win for losing, huh? We’re switching
long-distance job locations, and now Dawn will have to fly home to see
me
.”

“No, that won’t be a problem. I’m not going to D.C. either. What I was about to say was that something that seems too good to be true—generally is. My
career
might be better off elsewhere, but I’ve realized more than ever that my
future
is here, with my family and The People. I’m keeping my job with the tribe. For once
we’ve both come out ahead—you for doing your job so well, and me, well, for wanting to do the job here instead of back east.”

He smiled slowly. “Finally. We’ll both be in the same place at the same time—here on the Rez.”

“Yes!” They both heard Dawn’s excited whisper from just outside the door.

Ella went to the doorway and saw her daughter standing out in the hall.

“I’m going to brush Wind
right now,” Dawn said, backing up a few steps. “I can hear him calling me,” she added, then took off running.

Kevin met Ella at the doorway, suitcase in one hand, cane in the other, supporting his bad leg. “Don’t worry. I’ll explain things to her later.”

“What, exactly, will you explain?” Ella asked.

“That although you can—and should—take a shot at your dream, life always has the final say.”

Ella walked him outside to his car, where Mona Todea, his assistant, waited behind the wheel.

Turning to face Ella one last time, Kevin brushed her face with the palm of his hand. “And you know what? When it comes to us, life hasn’t had the last word.”

Ella was watching Kevin’s car go down the driveway when Rose came out to join her. As they stood side by side, Ford’s old pickup came over the
hill, approaching from the east. Both vehicles stopped, and Ella saw Ford climb out of
his car, then walk around to the passenger’s side to talk to Kevin.

The men were there for a few minutes. Then Ford got back into his truck and headed up the dirt road leading to the house.

“Was the preacher supposed to visit
this
afternoon?” Rose asked.

Ella nodded. “He wanted to go horseback riding with
my daughter after she got home from school.”

“I didn’t know he could ride,” Rose answered.

“Neither did I,” Ella said.

“There’s still an awful lot you don’t about him,” Rose said softly. “But here’s something you can count on. Neither of those two men are prepared to share you. You’ll have to choose, daughter.”

“I know, Mom, I know. Just be ready for the possibility that it may end up being
none of the above. But let’s not talk about that today. How about some of your herbal tea?” Ella placed her arm around her mother’s waist, and together they walked back inside.