Never-ending-snake (35 page)

“He’s facing a serious charge,”
Justine said. “He may not get bail.”

“He will,” Ford said. “They have a string of people—including me—who’ll vouch for his character. Emerson’s many things, but he’s not a murderer.”

“
You
think it’s okay for an old man with questionable eyesight to fire a high-powered rifle at two police officers?” Ella demanded, her eyes shooting daggers at Ford. “Just what makes that okay? The fact that he
was hoping to miss? That bullet came real close to us.”

“What he did was dangerous and stupid, but he wasn’t out to hurt anyone,” Ford said, his voice purposely soft and low. “A little forgiveness could restore some calm, and that’s badly needed now.”

“You’re being manipulated. He’s not the crazy old man he pretends to be. Are you aware of that?” Ella countered.

“I know. He mostly plays the
part because it buys him some leeway. People don’t expect much from an elderly man they believe has the beginnings of dementia,” Ford answered.
“But here’s the thing—it’s not completely an act. He has his crazy moments. You’ve seen that yourself.”

“Then what makes you so sure he’s not capable of murder?” Big Ed countered.

“I trust my instincts. In my current line of work—and my previous one—I
developed the ability to read people accurately, and I’m good at it.” As he spoke, he looked directly at Ella.

He held her gaze and something in his eyes made Ella wonder if he knew about Kevin, but this wasn’t the time to probe.

“Emerson’s a sad, simple man,” Ford continued. “Before the tribe made it clear they wanted to take away most of his daughter’s land, he’d led a quiet life. He was content
with his tiny garden and the couple of fruit trees there. He had all he wanted and was coasting through the final years of his life. Then the tribe stepped in and everything changed. His wife’s land was the only important thing either of them ever had to leave to Trina. That’s why he decided to fight back. He figured that if his clan could make enough noise, the politicians would feel the weight
of public pressure and rethink their positions.”

“So that’s why he took a shot at us?” Justine asked. “For the publicity?”

“Yes, I’m convinced of it,” Ford answered. “Look at the gathering outside. Do you know it’s going to hit the national news?”

Ella sighed. “Just what we need, right in the middle of our most public case in years.”

“At the last chapter house meeting the Morgans and Garnenez
were told to work out an agreement between themselves,” Ford said. “But the Morgans refused to meet with Billy. They wanted to push this issue out into the open and create as much controversy as possible.”

“I’ll go talk to the crowd, but nobody takes a shot at my officers and gets a free pass,” Big Ed said.

Once Big Ed left, Ella glanced at Ford. “Do the Morgans want you at the chapter house
meeting?”

“No, just the opposite. They’re hoping it gets out of hand, which could bring in even more support from across the Navajo Nation. Either way, it’s going to provide a lot of fodder for the regional press and media.”

Ford went back outside but, knowing that dealing with the media wasn’t what she did best, Ella remained in her office.

For the next thirty minutes, she worked on gathering
background information on all the people associated with the Prickly Weed Project. Frustrated by her slow progress, she finally leaned back in her chair and rubbed her aching neck.

The problem with this case was that it crossed lines between personal and business. Ella thought of Kevin back at her home, then about Ford, here in the center of the conflict. Both men were a part of her life and
each wanted her—but only on their own terms.

As Justine walked in, Ella brought her focus back onto the case. “The arraignment’s been moved up again and it will start in another twenty,” Justine said. “The crowd out front is heading to the courthouse. You ready to go over there, too?”

Ella let her breath out in a hiss. “No, but we better get going anyway.”

“Do you want to enter the courthouse
through the back?”

Ella shook her head. “The prisoner, in this case Emerson, will be brought in that way because it’s the most direct route. I’ll bet you dollars to doughnuts that the crowd and the reporters will all be there. You and I should go in through the front.”

Less than five minutes later they arrived at the courthouse,
and as Ella had predicted, the crowd had gathered out back. Ella
and Justine left the SUV and strode quickly to the front entrance.

Suddenly Norm Hattery came out the door, mike in hand and cameraman beside him. “Special Investigator Clah, do you think Mr. Lee should be shown leniency by the court because of extenuating circumstances?”

“Mr. Lee fired at two tribal police officers with a hunting rifle. The court will decide what to do about the charges.”

“But how do
you
feel about it?”

“My job is to arrest anyone who breaks the law, and that’s what I’ve done. The legal system will decide what to do next.”

“Meaning that if the court lets the accused back out onto the streets, it’s not your fault?”

She stopped in mid-stride and faced him squarely. “Mr. Hattery, do
not
put words in my mouth. I told you exactly what I meant.”

Not giving him a chance
to come back at her, Ella pushed her way past him and into the building.

“Phew,” Justine muttered. “For a minute or two I thought you were going to shove the microphone up his—you know what.”

“I considered it,” Ella grumbled.

“We better hurry,” Justine said, gesturing ahead. “Court’s about to go into session.”

Ella and Justine sat in the last row and stood as Judge Goodluck entered the courtroom.
Seconds later as they sat back down, Ella glanced over to the defendant’s table and saw Emerson Lee’s attorney for the first time.

Martin Tallman, called “the hammerhead” for his wide, flat forehead and his shark-like demeanor, sat beside the defendant. Tallman, a young, ambitious attorney, always made it a point to get involved with cases that brought him publicity.
This case was practically
made to order for him, so she had no doubt that he’d volunteered his services.

As the proceedings got underway, the charges were read and Judge Goodluck looked at the defendant. “How do you plead?”

Tallman stood. “Not guilty, Your Honor.”

Judge Goodluck’s gaze took in the crowded courtroom, then focused back on the defendant. “Mr. Lee, do you understand the charges against you?”

Emerson stood
up then and, oblivious to his attorney, spoke. “Your Honor, I’m sorry. I had no idea it was illegal now to shoot at coyotes.”

“Do you have a hearing problem, Mr. Lee? You’re charged with shooting at two tribal police officers, not coyotes.”

“That’s not what happened, Judge. The officers stepped in the way after I’d taken aim at that danged coyote. He’s been hunting my daughter’s sheep.”

Tallman
stood. “Your Honor, this is clearly a misunderstanding. We’re asking that you dismiss the charges.”

“I have no patience for games, Counselor,” Judge Goodluck said. “You’ll have the opportunity to present your defense during trial. The clerk will set the date for the hearing.” He paused for a moment, then continued. “Since Mr. Lee has long ties to the community and no criminal record, I’m going
to set bail in the amount of two thousand dollars—cash only.”

Outside the Rez this would have seemed ridiculously low, but on the Rez it was a princely sum. Ella glanced at Justine, who shrugged and shook her head.

“But I’m going to set down some additional conditions, Mr. Lee. If you wish to avoid having your bail revoked, you must attend tonight’s East Fruitland Chapter House meeting. You’ll
discuss the issues peacefully and in good faith, and reach an agreement with the tribe concerning the land
issues currently under consideration. This has gone on for too long.” Judge GoodIuck glanced around the courtroom and his gaze fastened on Ford. “Reverend Tome, I’d like you to serve as chairman throughout the land issue segment of that meeting. Your job would be to maintain an orderly discussion.
Will you agree to this?”

“I’ll be there, Your Honor,” Ford answered.

Tallman shot to his feet. “I will personally provide bail for my client, Your Honor, but I want to officially protest. These conditions have nothing to do with the shooting incident.”

“Noted, but it’s at the root of what happened. My decision stands,” Judge Goodluck said, then tapped the desk with his gavel, signaling an end
to the proceedings. “Next case.”

Ella ducked out with Justine as quickly as possible. There’d be a lot of grandstanding outside the courthouse next, and she wanted to be long gone when it started. Ella had one hand on the exit door when Ford caught up to her.

“Can I assume you’ll be at the chapter house tonight?” he asked, placing his hand on her arm.

“Count on it,” she said.

As others hurried
over, Ella slipped out quickly. Ford would excel at the job Judge Goodluck had given him. Though he’d be sitting on a powder keg, the role of peacemaker would appeal immensely to his Christian side.

Ella was just getting into the SUV when her cell phone rang. She answered it and heard her daughter’s excited voice.

“Mom,
Shimasání
said I should call you. Someone’s putting signs up on the road
leading up to our house. The person’s still about a mile away, but moving in our direction.”

“Where is your
shimasání
now? Can you take the phone to her?”

“Okay, but she’s talking to Mr. Kelewood. He’s watching the door.”

Moments later, Ella heard her mother’s voice. “Daughter, I wanted to go down the road and see what the signs say, but the man guarding the house won’t let me go outside.”

“He’s right. Listen to him and keep everyone, particularly my child’s father, away from the windows. I’m on my way,” Ella said, then added, “How did you find out about the signs?”

“Your brother and his son were out horseback riding and saw a woman putting them up, so he called right away and spoke to the guard.”

“Step on it, partner,” Ella said, hanging up and filling Justine in.

“Did you tell
Clifford that Kevin was staying at your house?” Justine asked.

“No, but my guess is that he’s been keeping an eye on Mom since the Prickly Weed Project began to make enemies. Considering how observant my brother is, he undoubtedly noticed the differences in behavior at the house, like the closed curtains during the day, and put things together on his own.”

“Closed curtains won’t give anything
away to those who don’t know you or your mom, but maybe you should make sure that Rose and Herman act as normal as possible and keep to their routines.”

“You’re right. I’ll talk to them. But right now let’s go see what’s going on.”

As they turned off Highway 491 and raced toward her house, Ella saw the first of many signs stuck beside the roadside. The message, product of a computer printer, read T
RAITOR TO THE
D
INÉ
.

“Guess we know where that comes from. Emerson’s friends move fast,” Justine said. “Want to stop and pull it up?”

“Not yet. First I’m going to nail whoever’s doing this.
And there she is,” Ella added, pointing.

About a quarter mile ahead someone standing next to a late-model silver pickup was hammering yet another sign into the ground. They passed two more signs, identical to the first, as they approached the middle-aged Navajo woman doing the work.

Justine pulled up behind her and parked. Having heard them coming—no other vehicles were on the private road—the
woman straightened her long, traditional-style skirt and glared at Justine and Ella as they got out.

“You know who I am.” Ella held up her badge.

“Yes, I know you. You arrested my father’s second cousin. My name’s Kate Lee. I suppose you want to arrest me, too?” She set down the hammer and held out her hands to be handcuffed.

From her gesture Ella realized that it was exactly what she was hoping
would happen. Ella shook her head. “No, we’re not taking you in, but you’re going to remove the signs, then go home.”

“Nothing doing. The signs stay, and I’m going to keep hammering them into the ground all the way to your house. So you gonna arrest me now?”

“No,” Ella said flatly. “But the signs
are
going to be taken down. If you do it,
you
can keep them. If I have to do it, then they’re mine
to use as kindling this fall. Either way, you’re trespassing on my mother’s land and you’re leaving.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I have more signs to put up,” Kate countered stubbornly.

“Not anymore.” Ella yanked out the sign Kate had been hammering into the ground, broke the stake in half with her knee, then tossed the two pieces into the backseat of the SUV.

“You can’t do that. You were supposed—”
Kate suddenly grew silent.

Ella shook her head. “I’m
not
going to arrest you, so if you’re looking to grandstand for your relatives, you’re out of luck.”

Kate walked over to the bed of her pickup, grabbed a sign, then walked toward Justine, cocking the sign back like a batter at home plate.