Dance of the Bones

“That’s what was happening with Gabe?”


Having said that much, Lani had no choice but to continue. “His parents were worried that he was slipping into things he shouldn’t, and they asked me for help. That’s why we came here—-to talk about those things—-and that’s what the argument was about. His parents were worried about some of the kids Gabe was hanging around with who were pulling him away from the old ways.”

“As I understand it, Gabe’s mother is Delia Cachora Ortiz, the tribal chairwoman?”

“The tribal chairman,” Lani corrected. “We’re Indians. We don’t have to be politically correct.”

If Agent Howell noticed the verbal slap, she didn’t acknowledge it. “So you and Gabe argued and he left. What time was that?”

“I have no idea.”

“You knew to the minute when the gunshots happened. I should think you’d remember what time a kid walks off into the wilderness on his own.”

“Gabe and I came to Ioligam—-”

“To what?” Agent Howell interrupted.

“Ioligam. That’s what we call Kitt Peak. In our tradition, it’s a sacred place. I brought Gabe here to have a serious discussion about the old ways, about right and wrong. That means the time I spent with Gabe last night was done on Indian time. It’s time ruled by what’s important—-by day and night, light and dark, the sun and the stars. It has nothing at all to do with hours, minutes, and seconds. As for the shooting? That didn’t happen on Indian time. The shooting was all about your tribe, Agent Howell, and I knew that in the Milgahn world—-the Anglo world—-knowing the exact hour and minute would be important.”

“So Gabe left,” Agent Howell said. “What did he take with him?”

“His grandfather’s blanket.”

“That’s all?”

“That’s all.”

“No food, no water, no cell phone?”

“No, none of that.”

“What about weapons? Did Gabe have any weapons with him?”

“Wait, is that where this is going? You think Gabe had something to do with what happened here? He left hours before the shooting happened.”

“You said he’s home now?”

Lani nodded.

“Did anyone notice what time he arrived there?”

“I doubt it. His parents were at the dance at Vamori last night. They didn’t get home until early this morning, just before Leo came to pick us up. They didn’t check Gabe’s room when they got home because they still thought he was up here with me.”

Someone tapped on the driver’s window, and Agent Howell buzzed it down. “We’ve got a tentative ID,” Agent Armstrong said. “We need to go. You can finish this later.”

Agent Howell turned back to Lani. “Do you have a phone number? How can I reach you?”

“Just call the hospital in Sells,” Lani told her. “Ask for Dr. Walker--Pardee. They’ll know how to find me.”

When Lani returned to Leo’s pickup and climbed inside, she saw from the expression on his face that something was wrong. “What is it?” she asked.

“Jimmy Lewis, one of the Law and Order guys, is a buddy of mine. They know who the victims are.”

“They’re not illegals?” Lani asked.

“No,” Leo said, turning the key in the ignition. “They found their driver’s licenses. It’s two of the José brothers, Carlos and Paul.”

“I was afraid of that,” Lani said.

Leo nodded. “So was I.”

Lani thought of the single gunshot she had heard later in the morning, after the initial volleys of shots. “What about Tim?” she asked.