She drew her weapon, moving in practiced silence as the ravine opened into a small clearing.The cave mouth gaped before her—a dark opening in the rock face partially illuminated by flickering light from within.The chanting grew louder, now clearly recognizable as a single male voice.
Kari approached the entrance, careful to remain in shadow.The cave opening was larger than she'd expected—tall enough to stand in comfortably, wide enough for three people to walk abreast.The inner chamber appeared to slope downward, the glow of what had to be a fire growing brighter as the passage descended.
She texted Ben one final update—Cave located.Entering now.Confirmed voices inside—then silenced her phone completely.
The passage curved as it descended, preventing her from seeing the main chamber until she was nearly upon it.Kari pressed herself against the cool stone wall, easing forward until she could peer around the final bend without being observed.
The chamber opened before her, its dimensions difficult to judge in the flickering light of multiple small fires arranged in a precise five-pointed pattern.Ancient petroglyphs covered the walls—stylized figures, spiral patterns, symbols that seemed to shift and move in the unsteady light.
In the center of the chamber stood David Silver, dressed in what appeared to be a mixture of traditional ceremonial garments and modern clothing.He moved slowly around a central altar stone upon which various items were arranged—bundles of herbs, small clay containers, and what looked like a narrow blade catching the firelight with unsettling brilliance.
And there, seated on the ground near the altar, was Ruth.Her grandmother's hands were bound before her, her ankles similarly secured.She appeared conscious but unnaturally still, her eyes following Silver's movements with a calm that seemed inappropriate to her situation.
Kari paused to assess the situation.The chamber offered minimal cover, with Silver positioned to see anyone entering from the main passage.The ceiling rose to form a natural dome, amplifying sounds throughout the space.A direct confrontation risked both her and Ruth's safety, but she couldn't discern any alternative approach that wouldn't immediately alert Silver to her presence.
As she considered her options, Silver's voice rose again in that same rhythmic chant—words in a language Kari didn't recognize, neither English nor modern Navajo.The cadence resonated oddly in the chamber, creating harmonics that seemed to vibrate through the stone itself.
He paused in his preparations, turning to Ruth."The time approaches," he said, speaking now in English."The cycle that began with my father will end with me.The boundary will open fully, and what has waited between worlds for fifty years will finally cross completely."
"It will consume you," Ruth replied, her voice remarkably steady under the circumstances."As it began to consume your father."
"Ah, but I have something my father never had: the chance to learn from his mistakes.The chance to perfect what he began."
"They'll be here soon," Ruth said."I sense their presence."
Silver laughed."You don't scare me, old woman.The ceremony will be complete long before anyone realizes where we are."
"Kari already knows," Ruth said with quiet certainty."She has always been able to see connections others miss."
Silver shook his head pityingly."That granddaughter of yours looked right in my eyes and had no idea who she was talking to.She is as clueless as your husband was."
"Joseph suspected your father.He may not have had proof, but he sensed the truth."
That must be why he kept those separate records, Kari thought.He didn't want to ruin Remy's reputation, not until he had proof.
Kari moved closer, trying to get a better angle on the chamber.A small stone dislodged beneath her foot, skittering across the cave floor with a sound that seemed deafening in the enclosed space.
Silver's head snapped toward the entrance."Who's there?"he called.
Kari remained frozen, weighing her options.
"I assure you," Silver continued calmly, "any attempt to rush me would be unwise."He moved to stand beside Ruth, the ceremonial blade now in his hand."We have matters to discuss before the ceremony continues."
With no tactical advantage to be gained by further concealment, Kari stepped into the chamber, her weapon trained steadily on Silver."Put the knife down and step away from her, Councilman."
Silver smiled, making no move to comply."You've made remarkable progress in your investigation, Detective Blackhorse.Faster than I anticipated, though not fast enough to save the first three vessels."
"David Silver, you're under arrest for the murders of Martin Reynolds, Jennifer Holbrook, and Jason Haskie," Kari said, advancing slowly into the chamber."Drop the weapon and put your hands where I can see them."
"You still don't understand what's happening here," Silver said, his expression almost pitying."This isn't about murder.It's about completion.About finishing what was interrupted fifty years ago."
Kari maintained her aim, moving carefully to improve her angle while keeping an eye on Ruth.Her grandmother's expression remained unnaturally calm, her eyes alert but unfocused, as if seeing something beyond the physical confines of the cave.
"Your father killed five people," Kari said, trying to keep Silver talking."Now you've killed three more.That's murder, no matter what ceremonial justification you've created."
"Vessels," Silver said."Not victims.Each death opened a specific boundary point, creating the pattern necessary for final crossing.Tonight, I will finish the ceremony."He glanced down at Ruth."With the vessel that should have completed the cycle fifty years ago."
"What happened between my grandfather and your father?"Kari asked, still searching for an opening.The ceremonial fires limited her movement options, creating a barrier between her and Silver.
