As the road became increasingly primitive, Hosteen's truck slowed, taking a small turnoff marked only by three stacked stones.The path wound through a narrow draw before opening to reveal a modest homestead nestled against the base of a small mesa—a traditional hogan with a more modern building beside it, surrounded by carefully tended gardens despite the harsh environment.
A man stood waiting as they approached, seemingly unsurprised by their arrival.Even from a distance, Kari could see he was much older than the figure her grandfather had described in his journal—stooped now where he had once been straight, his face deeply lined with age and exposure to the elements.Yet something in his posture suggested he retained the intensity Joseph had noted decades earlier.
As they parked and exited their vehicle, Kari took in more details: Manuelito appeared to be in his mid-seventies, his silver hair braided and wrapped at the nape of his neck, his clothing a practical blend of traditional and contemporary—jeans and a button-down shirt beneath a vest adorned with traditional beadwork.His hands, gnarled with age, were stained with the distinctive colors of plant materials, and a medicine pouch similar to the one Ruth had given Kari hung from a cord around his neck.
Hosteen approached Manuelito first, speaking briefly in Navajo too quiet for Kari to hear.The older man nodded, then turned his attention to the detectives.
"Samuel Manuelito," Ben said, stepping forward."I'm Detective Ben Tsosie.This is Detective Kari Blackhorse.We'd like to ask you some questions about recent events on the reservation."
Manuelito's gaze lingered on Kari, recognition flickering in his dark eyes."Joseph's granddaughter.I can see him in you."He gestured toward his home."We should speak inside.Some conversations shouldn't be held beneath an open sky."
The interior of Manuelito's home reflected his dual nature as healer and scholar—bookshelves filled with academic texts on botany, anthropology, and traditional medicine shared space with ceremonial items and dried plants hanging from the ceiling beams.A worktable near the window held mortars and pestles of various sizes, along with small cloth bags and glass containers filled with powders and dried herbs.
"You've been expecting us," Kari said, not a question but an observation.
Manuelito settled into a chair, indicating that they should do the same."The pattern has begun again.Two deaths—one at Cold Water Canyon, one at Antelope Lake.The same as before."He studied their reactions."And you found Joseph's private notes, or you wouldn't be here now."
"How do you know about the recent murders?"Ben asked."The details haven't been released to the public."
"I know because I've been waiting for them to begin," Manuelito replied simply."For fifty years, I've known they would return.The only question was whether I would live long enough to see the cycle complete."
Kari leaned forward."Mr.Manuelito, are you aware that my grandfather suspected you were involved in the original murders?He documented his concerns extensively."
"Joseph was a good detective," Manuelito said, not looking particularly surprised."He saw connections others missed.But he misunderstood my role."A shadow passed across his features."I was not the cause of those deaths.I was trying to prevent more from occurring."
"By leaving the reservation immediately after the fifth murder?"Ben asked, making no effort to hide his skepticism.
"By seeking knowledge I didn't possess," Manuelito said."The ceremonies to strengthen what had been weakened.The traditional practices that had been forgotten even by most medicine people."He gestured to the books surrounding them."I spent decades coming and going, learning from elders across many tribes—Hopi, Zuni, Apache, Ute.All hold fragments of understanding about thresholds between worlds.About how to maintain them."
Kari studied the herbs hanging from the ceiling—recognizing sage, cedar, juniper, and the white prairie aster her grandfather had identified in his notes.The same combination found in the victims' mouths.
"These plants," she said, pointing upward."What are they for?"
"Healing ceremonies, sometimes," Manuelito said."But their primary purpose is protection—creating boundaries that certain energies cannot cross."
"The same plants were found in the mouths of five victims fifty years ago," Kari said, watching him closely."And now they've appeared again with our two new victims."
Manuelito rose with the careful movements of age, moving to a shelf where he retrieved a rolled deerskin map.Spreading it on the table between them, he revealed an intricate representation of the reservation landscape, marked with symbols that appeared to be far older than the map itself.
"These five locations," he said, indicating points that corresponded exactly to the murder sites, "have been known to healers since before the Long Walk.Places where passage is possible under certain conditions."
"Passage to where?"Kari asked, her professional skepticism warring with the growing certainty that Manuelito believed every word he was saying.
"To what exists between," Manuelito replied, his voice dropping lower."To realms that run alongside our own, separated by boundaries our ancestors learned to maintain through specific practices."
Ben shifted uncomfortably, though whether from doubt or something else, Kari couldn't determine."You're suggesting these killings are some form of ceremonial effort to breach these boundaries?"he asked.
"Not just breach," Manuelito said."The pattern of five sacrifices at five sites creates a specific configuration."His finger traced lines connecting the marked locations, forming a star.
"Why would someone want to do this?"Kari asked, setting aside the question of whether she accepted the premise."What purpose would it serve?"
Manuelito looked directly at her."Power.Influence beyond ordinary human capability.The ability to command forces most people don't even believe exist."His voice grew more urgent."Fifty years ago, the pattern was incomplete.The final ceremony was disrupted before it could be finished.This time, the killer seems determined to complete what was started."
"You know who it is," Kari said, not a question but a statement based on his detailed knowledge.
Manuelito's expression closed like a door being shut."I have suspicions, as Joseph did.But accusations without evidence would not serve your investigation."He turned back to the map."What matters now is preventing the remaining sacrifices."
Kari exchanged a glance with Ben, both of them recognizing the careful evasion."Mr.Manuelito, if you withhold information about a potential suspect—"
