No response.
"You're in serious trouble," she continued, opening the folder to reveal photographs of the evidence collected from the hogan."We found you conducting what appears to be a ceremonial ritual involving photographs of three murder victims.We found herb bundles identical to those used in the killings.And we found these."She placed a photograph of her grandfather's journals on top of the other images.
Tso's eyes flicked to the photograph, then back to Kari's face, but he remained silent.
"These are my grandfather's personal journals," she said."Joseph Chee, lead investigator on the original Shadow Walker cases fifty years ago.Journals that have been missing for decades."She leaned forward."How did you get them?"
Tso's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
Ben placed his own folder on the table."We have enough to charge you right now, Tso.Three counts of first-degree murder.The evidence is overwhelming."He tapped the folder emphatically."You knew two of the victims, and maybe the third as well.You have specialized knowledge of the ceremonial elements used in the killings.You were found with missing case materials.And now we've got you conducting some kind of ritual with the victims' photographs."
"You don't understand," Tso said finally, his voice rough from disuse.
"Then help us understand," Kari said."Because right now, everything points to you as our killer."
Tso closed his eyes briefly, seeming to wage some internal struggle.When he opened them again, resignation had replaced his earlier defiance.
"I'm not the killer," he said."I've been trying to identify the killer."
"By conducting private ceremonies with victims' photographs?"Ben asked skeptically.
Tso's shoulders slumped."It sounds absurd when stated that way.But yes."He rubbed his face with both hands, then straightened."I've been attempting to make contact with the spirit of the original Shadow Walker to understand his methods and identify his successor."
Kari kept her expression neutral despite her surprise at this admission."You believe you can communicate with a murderer from fifty years ago?"
"I believe ceremonial methods can reveal patterns and connections that conventional investigation might miss," Tso said, a hint of defensiveness entering his voice."I've been studying traditional practices for identifying malevolent influences since I was an undergraduate.My thesis focused on purification ceremonies following violence."
"How did you get my grandfather's journals?"Kari asked, bringing the conversation back to concrete evidence.
Tso hesitated before answering."They were in the historical archives at the Cultural Center.Not cataloged officially—stored in a box of 'miscellaneous tribal documents' that was going to be discarded during renovation last year.I recognized their significance immediately."
"And instead of turning them over to the proper authorities, you kept them," Ben said.
"I was going to return them," Tso insisted."But then the murders started, following the exact pattern documented in those journals.I thought I could use the information to identify the current killer, maybe even predict the next victim."He looked directly at Kari."I wanted to solve the case your grandfather couldn't complete."
"To be a hero," Ben said flatly.
Tso flushed."To prevent more deaths," he corrected, though his tone lacked conviction.
Kari studied him carefully.His explanation was outlandish, yet something about his embarrassment seemed genuine."You had access to both Reynolds and Holbrook before their deaths," she said."They took your tours."
"Yes," Tso said."They were both interested in sacred sites, both asked questions about traditional practices.When I heard they'd been killed, I saw the pattern forming—academics studying cultural elements found dead at sacred locations."He leaned forward."That's when I started reviewing the journals more carefully, trying to identify potential victims before the killer could reach them."
"And Haskie?"Ben asked."How does he fit the pattern?"
Tso shook his head."That's what confused me.Haskie wasn't an academic.His death doesn't match the victim profile from the original cases."He gestured toward the journals."According to your grandfather's notes, all five original victims were researchers documenting sacred sites or ceremonial practices."
Kari felt a chill at the casual reference to her grandfather's private observations.Tso had clearly studied the journals extensively."Where were you the nights Reynolds and Holbrook were killed?"she asked.
"At home," Tso said, then grimaced at how weak the alibi sounded."I live alone.No one can verify my whereabouts, but I swear I was not involved in these deaths."
"And last night?"Ben pressed.
"Leading an evening tour at Canyon del Muerto.Eight tourists can confirm my presence from 6 PM until nearly 10 PM."For the first time, Tso looked genuinely confident in his response.
Kari made a mental note to verify this alibi immediately.If true, it would eliminate Tso as a suspect in Haskie's murder, though not necessarily the earlier deaths.
"Let's assume for a moment you're telling the truth," she said."That you're not the killer but some kind of spiritual detective trying to solve these murders through ceremonial means.Why keep this to yourself?Why not share what you've learned with the police?"
