"You will know when you must know," Ruth said, touching Kari's arm with unexpected gentleness."But I have spent fifty years praying you would never need to."
The rare physical contact surprised Kari, as did the unmistakable concern in Ruth's eyes.Her grandmother had always been reserved with her emotions, expressing care through practical actions rather than words or touch.This departure from her usual manner suggested a level of fear that made Kari's skin prickle with apprehension.
"I'll be careful," Kari assured her, tucking both medicine pouches beneath her shirt."Ben and I will have backup.We're just observing tonight, not confronting anyone."
Ruth's expression suggested she didn't believe that would remain true."I cannot stop you from following this path," she said."But remember that sometimes the hunter becomes the hunted.Watch the shadows carefully, especially those that move against the light."
The warning sent a chill down Kari's spine despite the warmth of the room."I'll keep my eyes open," she promised.
As Kari moved toward the door, Ruth spoke again—her voice softer than Kari had ever heard it.
"You are precious to me, Asdza´a´ K'os.More than I have words to say."
The declaration—so unlike Ruth's usual stoic demeanor—stopped Kari in her tracks.She turned back, alarmed by what sounded too much like a goodbye.
"I'll be back tomorrow," she said firmly."We'll talk more then."
Ruth nodded, though her expression remained troubled."May you walk in beauty."
The traditional blessing followed Kari as she stepped into the night, the smell of ceremonial smoke clinging to her clothes.Ruth was clearly terrified of something—not just concerned, but genuinely afraid.And Ruth had always been the most fearless person Kari knew.
Whatever her grandmother was protecting her from, whatever Joseph Chee had discovered that he couldn't commit to writing, it went beyond ordinary danger.The Shadow Walker's identity was apparently less important than what the killer represented—an evil Ruth believed should remain unnamed and unremembered.
As Kari started her Jeep, the headlights briefly illuminated Ruth's figure standing in the doorway, watching Kari's departure with that same troubled expression.For a moment, Kari considered turning back, demanding clearer answers despite Ruth's resistance.
But if there was any chance of preventing another ritualistic murder, she needed to be at Whipple Creek, ready when the killer struck.
With one last glance at her grandmother's silhouette, framed in the doorway of the small house where so many secrets remained buried, Kari pulled away into the gathering darkness
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Kari's eyes burned with fatigue as she scanned the moonlit expanse of Whipple Creek through her binoculars.The sandstone formations cast complex shadows across the landscape, making every shifting pattern of darkness a potential suspect approaching the site.
From their vantage point on the low ridge overlooking the stone arch—the exact location where Harold Miller's body had been discovered fifty years ago—she and Ben had a clear view of the most likely approach routes while remaining concealed behind a stand of juniper trees.The medicine pouch Ruth had given her felt warm against her skin, a tangible connection to her grandfather who had once stood vigil in this same place, hunting the same predator.
"Four two-person teams deployed around the perimeter," Ben said, adjusting his night-vision binoculars."Begay and Wilson are stationed at the south entrance, Nez and Jackson covering the informal trail from the west, Howard and Martinez watching the ridge approach, and Captain Yazzie positioned himself with Officer Lee at the eastern overlook."
"And Daniels?"Kari asked, still scanning the darkness.
"He's coordinating from the mobile command post we set up half a mile back, monitoring radio traffic and satellite imagery.Two of his FBI techs are running infrared surveillance from the higher ground north of us."
Kari nodded, satisfied with the coverage.The operation had come together quickly but efficiently, with tribal police and FBI working in rare harmony thanks to the gravity of the situation.They had closed the area to visitors, posting signage about "ongoing archaeological assessment" rather than announcing the true reason for the restriction.The park rangers had been enlisted to redirect any hikers or tourists who might attempt to enter despite the warnings.Not that night hiking was common here, anyway.
"Do you think our presence will deter the killer?"Ben asked, his voice low despite their isolation."Or just push him to a different location?"
"I don't know," Kari admitted."If he's following a specific ritual pattern, the location matters as much as the timing.Changing sites could disrupt whatever ceremonial significance these murders hold."
Ben nodded, his expression troubled in the dim light of their vehicle's muted display screens."That's assuming our suspect is motivated by genuine ritual purpose rather than using traditional elements as cover for more conventional motives."
"Either way," Kari said, "he's demonstrated meticulous planning and environmental awareness.We need to assume he knows we're here and is watching for weaknesses in our coverage."
They fell into a companionable silence, the kind that develops between partners who trust each other's skills and judgment.Occasionally, one of the patrol teams would radio a status update, their voices barely above whispers in the communications system.So far, nothing had been detected beyond the natural movements of desert wildlife.
As midnight approached, Kari found her thoughts drifting back to Ruth's unexpected display of emotion.Her grandmother had always been stoic, maintaining an emotional distance that sometimes felt impenetrable.To see her so openly concerned had unsettled Kari more than any warning about unnamed dangers.
"What's on your mind?"Ben asked, noticing her distraction."You've been checking that medicine pouch every few minutes."
Kari hadn't realized she'd been unconsciously touching the leather pouch Ruth had given her—Joseph's pouch, carried during the original investigation.
