Never-ending-snake (36 page)

Justine slipped around to the other side of the truck, then snapped a photo of the woman with her cell
phone camera.

“You’re not going to hit one of us with those signs either. If you tried, we’d just take it away from you,” Ella said. “Photos will also prove who was attacking whom, so don’t plan on telling any lies about this.”

“This isn’t over. You haven’t seen the last of us,” Kate answered, and stormed back to her pickup, tossing the sign back in through the open window.

As Kate drove off
in a huff toward the highway, Ella looked at Justine. “She doesn’t know it, but she’s just given me a brand new opportunity. So far I’ve been careful to keep Kevin’s guards out of sight, not wanting to give away the fact that he’s staying with us. But I don’t have to worry about that anymore, given that we’ve had trespassers.”

They removed the sign closest to the highway. Kate Lee had taken the
others, but had deliberately left the one most visible from the main road. After that, they drove to the house. While Justine updated Mack Kelewood on Kate Lee and the possibility of continued problems with Emerson’s relatives and supporters, Ella went to talk to Kevin.

As she stepped into the room she was surprised to see him struggling to put on a pair of pants, probably borrowed from Herman.
None of his clothes were here. “What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded.

“If people know where I am, I’m putting all of you in danger. No way that’s happening. I’m going home.”

“No you’re not. Relax,” she added, and explained about the signs and the apparent strategy of those backing Emerson Lee and his family.

Before Kevin could reply, Dawn came in. “I heard you talking, and Dad, if
you’re leaving, I’m going with you.”

Ella stared at her daughter. “What on earth are
you
talking about?”

“Dad needs someone to take care of him, doesn’t he?”

Kevin bit back a smile. “I appreciate the offer, Dawn. It shows a lot of courage, and I’m proud of you. But it’s not necessary.”

“I’m just a kid, Dad, but I can help you keep watch, and nobody will even notice I’m there. I’m small, and
I can slip in and out of places more quietly than any adult. Mom and my uncle have taught me a lot about survival skills.”

Ella was torn between overwhelming pride and a nearly paralyzing fear. “Your father is staying here and so are you,”
she said firmly. “There’s no reason for him to leave, no one knows he’s here. Let’s just make sure it remains that way.”

Dawn looked at Ella. “Don’t try to
keep things from me, Mom.”

“I’m not. The person putting up those signs was hoping to make me angry so I’d do something stupid, but it had nothing to do with your father. Now go do your homework. You can bring your father dinner later.”

“Okay,” she answered with a smile.

As Dawn left, Ella glared at Kevin. “Did you think you could just leave, like checking out of a hotel? And what were you planning
to do when Dawn found out?”

“I was hoping to get away before she noticed,” he answered, spreading open his hands, palms up, in a gesture of total helplessness.

“Don’t
ever
underestimate Dawn. But there’s something I need to know right now.
How
were you planning to get away? I can’t see you stealing a horse or Mom’s car, and with that bad leg you can’t get much further than the bathroom.”

“I
was going to call Mona Todea. She could sneak me out in her car.”

“Your secretary?” Her voice rose and she took a breath before continuing. “And you didn’t think anyone would see her arrive, or you leaving with her? There are armed guards in and around this house who are watching
everyone
.”

“Give me some credit. I had all that covered. I was thinking that Mona could bring a wig and a loose dress.
I’d intended on wearing a disguise.”

“Mona is six inches shorter than you, and doesn’t walk with a limp, and you’d never be able to pass yourself off as my mom—or get past the guards. Did you honestly think that Mack would have fallen for that?”

“Legally, he can’t keep me here,” he said, then grinned. “I’m an attorney. I know these things.”

Ella stared at the floor, trying to control her temper
as she paced.

“What?” he insisted. “Dawn wouldn’t have come with me. I would have stopped her.”

“You hope. She’s a sharp kid, and like she told you, kids can sneak by an adult who’s not looking for them. And let me tell you something else. From the moment she noticed you were gone, I wouldn’t have been able to even let her go to school, because she would have taken off looking for you the second
her teacher’s back was turned.” She stopped pacing and faced him. “If you ever pull a stunt like this again, Kevin, I swear I’ll shoot you myself.”

Just as Ella finished speaking, Dawn stepped into the room. Instead of being upset, she looked at Ella, then at Kevin, and smiled broadly.

“What’s so funny?” Ella demanded, annoyed.

“You two sound like those married couples on TV who love each other
but still argue all the time.”

“It’s not like that,” Ella answered.

“And it wasn’t really an argument. Your mom’s got a foul temper, that’s all,” Kevin said with a grin. “More like reality TV.”

“Is that what you want? Reality?” Ella visualized Kevin on some remote island, thirsty and hungry, picking leeches off his neck. “Not that you could handle it.”

“Mom, are you hungry? I made Dad some
coconut cookies but there are some extras, if you want.”

“Sure. That would be great,” Ella said, mostly to get her daughter out of the room.

As Dawn went down the hallway, Ella focused back on Kevin. “You need to be a lot more careful around her. For some reason that escapes me, Dawn’s convinced you’re perfect.”

“Little girls and their dads . . . it’s a complex relationship.”

Just then, Dawn
came back into the room holding a plate stacked with cookies. “Here. We can all have some,” she said, then proceeded to give her dad first pick.

Kevin looked at Ella, and although he struggled not to smile, lost the battle. “Thank you, daughter,” he said, looking up at Dawn.

Ella took a cookie from the plate. “I’ve got to get back to work. Is there anything
else
I should know before I leave?”

Ella looked at Kevin, then at Dawn.

Avoiding her mother’s gaze, Dawn glanced down at the floor.

“Yesssss?”
Ella asked, stretching out the word.

“I want to learn how to shoot,” Dawn said at last. “Guns, like the one you carry.”

Ella stared at her daughter in stunned silence. “Why would you want to do that?” she asked, finding her voice at last. “There are plenty of people in this house who
can fire a weapon if—heaven forbid—the need ever arose. There’s absolutely
no
reason for you to get involved in anything like that.”

“But I need to know how to defend myself and my family,” Dawn insisted, a stubborn set to her chin.

“I can teach you how to protect yourself in a fight, and how to throw a punch, but using a firearm is an entirely different matter,” Ella answered. “Guns are a last
resort—always—and should never be used unless a life is at stake.”

“But what if you or Dad were in trouble and depending on me?”

“If your dad and I were in danger, the best thing you could do is sneak away and get help,” Ella said.

Dawn shook her head. “You wouldn’t run and leave me behind, and neither would Dad. I won’t do that either.”

“Your mom wouldn’t run, kiddo, but I sure would. I’m
a lousy shot, but a
great
runner. Once I get better, I’ll teach you
to run like a deer. Or maybe a jackrabbit,” Kevin said. “A quail?”

Kevin’s answers were so outrageous, Ella burst out laughing.

Dawn laughed, too, then hugged Kevin. “Okay, Dad. We’ll start running together—once your leg is okay.”

Ella watched them, smiling. The men in her life seemed to hold nothing but surprises for her these
days.

Later that night after dinner, Justine picked Ella up at the house. Considering that she had no idea what to expect at tonight’s chapter house meeting, Ella was glad to have her partner’s company on this particular trip.

As they pulled up to the plain stucco building, the Stars and Stripes were atop the center flagpole, and the red Zia of New Mexico to the right. The Navajo Nation flag
was of equal stature to the left of center, symbolizing their culture through its rainbow and four sacred mountains.

As always, kids were playing outside, chasing each other and laughing with a joy most adults had long forgotten.

Ella noticed a table set up to the left of the main entrance. Draped over the top was a plain white cloth with the words
Ha’asídí
. So the “Watchmen” were here. The
group of mostly Traditionalists stood against any unconventional agriculture or industry on the Rez. The Salt People Clan had found their perfect ally. The group was currently busy handing out pamphlets calling for the promotion of weaving, smithing, herding, organic farming, and other similar activities on the Rez.

The space next to the building normally reserved for the tribal police was occupied
by an old pickup, so Justine was forced to park some distance away. As they exited their vehicle Ella spotted Frieda Beard standing on the front steps, waiting near the crowded door for her opportunity to enter. The professor was all dressed up, wearing a long skirt, satin
blouse, and a gorgeous squash blossom necklace that looked like it had been in her family for generations. Considering why
she was here, dressing traditionally had been a nice, wise touch.

As they approached the porch—really just a concrete slab under a sloping metal roof—Justine pointed ahead with her lips. “There’s Billy. That suit he’s wearing must have set him back some.”

Ella glanced at the man. Despite its sheen, she doubted the western-cut suit was silk. Yet it was clearly well made and looked expensive.
The silver bolo tie he’d chosen looked brand new.

As people continued to enter, Ella and Justine joined the crowd and went inside, choosing folding chairs in the last row close to the left corner so they’d have a clear look at the entire room with a turn of their heads. The chapter house was full tonight, and that meant late arrivals would be forced to stand at the rear or on the porch. Fire
regulations required the center and outside aisles to be clear, and two uniformed tribal officers stood up front, their backs to the opposite walls. They provided an extra measure of security, being in a position to watch the faces of the crowd without seeming to support either position in the upcoming debate.

Lee, his family, and supporters had arrived early and sat on the right hand side, to
the left of the speakers. The opposition was there, too, as evidenced by the many businessmen she recognized, most seated on the opposite side. The Prickly Weed Project would mean an increase in employment, and with more money to spend the economy would be fed from top to bottom. With the question of land use and permits certain to come up, too, select members of the grazing committees were also
present, seated at a table to the left of center, facing the crowd. At least three different television stations had sent camera crews, but chapter house officials had, as in the past, forced them to take positions at
the rear of the room. There were, however, four microphones at the center podium.

As Ella’s attention shifted to the right, she saw Ford, seated at a second table with other officials
she didn’t recognize. He was studying his notes.

The head of the action committee, who’d been on Ford’s right, began the meeting by leading the pledge of allegiance. While everyone was still standing, he recited a Navajo prayer asking
Nilch’i Diyinii
, the Holy Spirit, to make everything beautiful so the
Diné
could walk in peace and harmony.

Once finished, he glanced around the room and waited
for everyone to take their seats again. “As you all know, this is a very special meeting. Tonight we have to bring together two opposing sides of an issue that affects all of us, if not now, then certainly in the future. In keeping with a request made by tribal district Judge Goodluck, I’m turning things over to Reverend Tome, co-minister of the Good Shepherd Church in Shiprock.”

There were a
few boos when Judge Goodluck’s name was mentioned, but the dissenters were quickly hushed by others in the crowd by the time Ford reached the podium.

“Good evening, friends. My clan is Bitter Water People and I was born for the Black Sheep People,” Ford said, introducing himself in the traditional way. Though his voice was soft, it had a compelling quality that caused all eyes to shift to him.

Ella smiled. She knew The Voice. Like her father’s, it would start low and gentle, then grow to earthquake proportions, shaking even the mountains that surrounded the
Dinétah
. She’d only heard a couple of Ford’s sermons, but they were awesome.

“Representing the tribe’s position on the issue before us are two Navajos you all know,” he said, waving his hand toward Billy Garnenez and Frieda Beard.
“The family who occupies the land in question is also here,” he said, gesturing
to Emerson Lee and his daughter. Ford grew silent for a moment, and in that silence, no one even stirred.

Ella smiled. Even without words, he had control of the room.

“I’ll now ask the ones who occupy the land to speak,” Ford said, then nodded to Emerson.

Ella watched Emerson Lee carefully, curious to see if he’d
use his crazy old man act tonight. It took her only a few seconds to realize it would be just the opposite. As he stood and went to the podium she saw that there was a quiet dignity in the way he walked, allowing his daughter to steady him.

Emerson took his place behind the mike, looked at those gathered there, and in a strong voice began. “Before the Anglos came up with the idea of grazing permits,
the land belonged to all of us. We honored the Earth Mother and she, in turn, took care of us. She fed our animals and they provided us with their meat and wool. The circle renewed itself and we walked in beauty. Now we depend on outsiders and their jobs to buy what we need. If we keep going down that road, we’ll eventually forget who we are and lose everything that matters.”