"Very," she agreed."What's your read?"
"He knows more than he's saying," Ben replied."The shock seemed genuine when we mentioned the murders, but he was on guard from the moment we identified ourselves."
"And he's very familiar with the exact herb combination used in the murders," Kari said."Even acknowledged it's not information typically shared publicly."
"He also has direct access to both victims before their deaths, knowledge of traditional practices, and apparently free time between tours to 'follow up' with specific visitors."
Kari nodded, mentally adding Marcus Tso to their list of persons of interest."We need surveillance on him, too.And we should look deeper into his background—where he learned about traditional medicines, who taught him, any connection to the original Shadow Walker cases."
"I know some people in Records at ASU," Ben said as they walked toward their vehicles."I can check his academic background and see if his research focused on the same areas as our victims."
Evening shadows were lengthening across the parking lot as they reached their vehicles.The day was slipping away with more questions than answers, and somewhere out there, a killer was potentially preparing for the next ceremonial murder.
"We're running dual tracks now," Kari said."Manuelito and Tso both have knowledge, opportunity, and potential connection to the victims.The question is which one, if either, also has motive and the specific knowledge of the 1973 murders needed to recreate them so perfectly."
"Or if they're working together," Ben suggested.
The possibility hung between them as they prepared to depart.Two more suspects, two more surveillance operations, and no telling when the next attack might come
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Twilight settled across the reservation as Kari drove toward Ruth's house, fatigue weighing on her limbs like wet wool.The conversation with Marcus Tso had left her with more questions than answers—another potential suspect with the knowledge, opportunity, and skills required for these ceremonial killings.Yet his shocked reaction to the news had seemed genuine.Either he was an exceptional actor, or there were pieces to this puzzle she still couldn't see.
She needed clarity.And while Ruth had warned her away from this investigation, Kari hoped her grandmother might at least provide insights about Joseph's missing notes.Ruth must have known about her husband's private documentation during the original Shadow Walker case—perhaps even where he might have hidden information he didn't trust to official channels.
The darkening sky matched Kari's mood as she parked beside Ruth's pickup truck.No lights glowed from within the small house, but thin smoke rose from the chimney despite the summer heat.Not cooking smoke, but something more fragrant—ceremonial.
As Kari approached the front door, the unmistakable scent of burning sage, cedar, and juniper greeted her.Not the combination used in the murders, which included white prairie aster, but the standard purification blend Ruth used when she sensed danger or disturbance.
"Shimásání?"Kari called, knocking lightly on the door frame before entering.
The interior was dim, illuminated only by a small fire in the stone hearth.Ruth knelt before it, her silver hair gleaming in the flickering light as she methodically fed small bundles of herbs into the flames.The smoke swirled upward in patterns that seemed almost deliberate, as if carrying messages to unseen recipients.
"Close the door behind you," Ruth said without turning.
Kari did so, then moved to stand beside her grandmother."What's happening?Why are you—"
"Sit," Ruth interrupted, gesturing to the floor beside her."Breathe in the smoke.Let it clear your thoughts."
Too tired to argue, Kari sank down cross-legged beside Ruth.The fragrant smoke enveloped her, its familiar scent momentarily soothing the tension that had built throughout the day.She observed Ruth's hands—weathered by decades of work yet still graceful as they moved through the ritual motions.
"Something's wrong," Kari said finally.Not a question, but an observation.
Ruth added another small bundle to the fire, watching as it caught flame."Many things are wrong," she said."The world is out of balance.People forget what should be remembered and remember what should be forgotten."
There was a tightness in Ruth's movements that Kari had rarely seen before—a controlled agitation that manifested as excessive precision rather than visible distress.Whatever had triggered this ceremonial response clearly had her grandmother deeply unsettled.
"What happened today?"Kari asked."Did someone come to see you?"
Ruth remained focused on the fire."No one came," she said."Some things do not require physical presence to be felt."
The cryptic response was typical Ruth, but tonight Kari lacked the patience for oblique conversations."I need to ask you about Grandfather's notes," she said."His private documentation of the Shadow Walker cases."
"I know nothing of his police work," Ruth said, her tone like a door being shut.
"I don't believe that," Kari said, fatigue making her blunter than she intended."Joseph lived with you.He investigated five murders with identical signatures to what we're seeing now.He kept separate records that weren't included in the official files.You must have known something."
Ruth's hands stilled momentarily."Your grandfather protected me from details I did not need to know."
