"She was incapacitated somehow," Kari said, noting a fine yellow powder residue around the victim's nose and mouth."What's this?"
Dr.Hatathli carefully collected a sample."I'll need to analyze it, but it appears to be some kind of organic compound.Possibly herbal."
"The same herb bundle?"Ben asked, indicating the now-familiar arrangement of sage, cedar, juniper, and white flowers protruding from the victim's mouth.
"Identical composition to what we found with Reynolds," Dr.Hatathli said."And based on Captain Yazzie's description, identical to what was documented in the 1973 cases."
Kari opened her grandfather's case file, comparing the photographs of Laura Yellowhair with the scene before them.The similarities were undeniable—same location, same positioning, same ceremonial elements.The only significant difference was the cause of death: Laura had been stabbed like Reynolds, while Jennifer had been strangled.
"Different method, same result," Ben said."The physical killing seems secondary to the ceremonial arrangement."
Yazzie's expression darkened."I remember when Laura Yellowhair was found.I was a rookie, first week on patrol.Still a little surprised I didn't quit after that."
"There's another detail we need to discuss," Kari said, glancing from Yazzie to Ben."Joseph's notes mentioned a specific pattern—five victims across five sacred sites.If the killer is adhering to the historical sequence exactly, we should expect three more victims at the remaining sites."
"Whipple Creek, Cottonwood Wash, and Echo Cave," Yazzie said, nodding."I've already ordered increased patrols at those locations, but our resources are stretched thin across the reservation."
"We need to find Manuelito," Ben said."Whether he's the killer or knows who is, he's our best lead right now."
"Why are you looking for Manuelito?"Yazzie asked, looking from Ben to Kari."You think he's linked to the murders?"
"Not for sure," Kari admitted."But my grandfather suspected him, even if he couldn't prove direct involvement."
Yazzie considered this, then nodded."Find him, but approach carefully.If he's involved, he's clearly dangerous.If he's not, he may still have insights we need."
As the forensics team continued processing the scene, Kari and Ben stepped away to confer privately.
"What strikes me most," Ben said, "is how methodical these recreations are.Most serial killings show escalation—more violence, shorter intervals between victims.But these are precise, patient repetitions of what happened fifty years ago."
"Suggesting the killer has a specific endgame," Kari agreed."Something that requires exact replication of the historical pattern."
"The herbs, the positioning at specific locations—it all points to ritual purpose rather than psychological satisfaction," Ben said."Most importantly, it gives us the blueprint.If the killer follows the original pattern exactly, the next murder will occur at Whipple Creek."
"Unless we can break the pattern by finding Manuelito first," Kari said."Your cousin's husband has contacts near Black Mesa?"
Ben nodded."Allen Growing Corn.His mother's family is from that area.If Manuelito is staying anywhere nearby, Allen's relatives might know where."
"Then that's our next move," Kari said decisively."As soon as we finish processing this scene, we head to Black Mesa.I'm not waiting for another body to appear.
CHAPTER NINE
The trading post near Black Mesa hadn't changed much in fifty years—still a weathered wooden structure where tourists purchased overpriced turquoise jewelry while locals bought practical necessities.As Ben guided their department SUV into the dusty parking area, Kari spotted an elderly man waiting in the shade of the building's covered porch.
"That's Allen's uncle," Ben said, nodding toward the figure."Hosteen Tso."
The man straightened as they approached, his lined face revealing little but his eyes sharp with assessment.Kari estimated he was in his late seventies, but he stood with the straight-backed dignity that seemed common among elders who had spent their lives on the reservation.
"Detective Tsosie," he said, acknowledging Ben with a slight nod before turning his attention to Kari."And you must be Joseph Chee's granddaughter."
The unexpected recognition caught Kari off guard."You knew my grandfather?"
"I knewofhim," Hosteen corrected."His investigation touched many lives fifty years ago.Some remember."He gestured toward his truck, which was parked nearby."The man you're looking for lives about seven miles from here.I will lead you there."
No further explanation was offered, and none seemed required.Kari and Ben returned to their vehicle, following Hosteen's aging pickup as it turned onto a narrow dirt road heading east away from the trading post.The landscape grew increasingly remote—scattered juniper and sage giving way to open vistas where mesas stood like towers against the cloudless sky.
"You think Manuelito will talk to us?"Kari asked as Ben navigated a particularly rough section of road.
Ben kept his eyes on the uneven terrain."Hard to say.Traditional healers rarely speak openly with law enforcement.But the fact that Hosteen agreed to take us there suggests Manuelito is at least expecting visitors."
