"Understood," Kari said.
"Polacca, you report directly to me on this.Anything Detective Blackhorse needs, she gets.Any resistance from the community, you bring it to me immediately."His tone made it clear this was non-negotiable."Clear?"
"Clear, Chief."
Lomayesva took one more look at the crime scene, his expression heavy with a mix of grief and anger, then headed back toward his vehicle."I'll leave you two to it.Stay in touch."
When the chief's vehicle had disappeared down the dirt track, leaving a trail of dust hanging in the still air, Kari pulled out her phone."Give me a minute," she said to Polacca."I need to update my partner."
Polacca nodded and moved off toward the evidence markers, giving her space.
Ben answered on the second ring."How bad is it?"
"Bad.Murder, desecration of an ancient burial site, victim posed with artifacts."Kari kept her voice low."Chief wants me to work it, but he's assigned me a local officer to partner with.Bringing you in right now would...complicate things."
There was a pause.She could practically hear Ben processing this, weighing his concern against the practical realities."You sure about this?"
"No.But I don't see another option.The community's already going to be resistant to one Navajo detective.Two would feel like we're taking over."
"And if this gets dangerous?"
"Then I call you."Kari glanced at Polacca, who was crouched by one of the evidence markers, pointedly not listening."The officer I'm working with—Polacca—she's not exactly thrilled about this arrangement.But she's a professional.I think we can make it work."
Another pause."Alright.But Kari, if anything feels wrong—"
"I know.I'll be careful."The concern in his voice had made her chest tighten."Tell Captain Yazzie what's happening.I'll send a full report tonight."
"I'll pass that along."
She ended the call and pocketed her phone, then turned back toward Polacca and the crime scene.The officer was standing now, watching her with an expression that was carefully neutral.
"All good?"Polacca asked.
"All good."
They were both silent for several moments.
Finally, Polacca spoke."The tech finished processing about an hour before you arrived.She's already taken preliminary samples back to our lab.The ME is planning to do the autopsy this afternoon."She gestured toward the taped area."Everything's been photographed and documented.If you want to see the case file, I can take you back to the station."
"I'd like to look around a bit more first," Kari said."Get a feel for the scene.If that's alright."
Polacca's expression remained neutral."It's your investigation.Apparently."
The edge in those last two words was subtle but unmistakable.Kari decided to address it head-on rather than let it fester."Look, Officer Polacca, I know this situation isn't ideal.I'm not here to take over or to tell you how to do your job.I'm here because your chief asked for an outside perspective.That's all."
"An outside perspective from a Navajo detective."Polacca's tone was flat."You don't think that's going to cause issues?"
"Probably.But less than if this case goes unsolved because everyone's too close to it."Kari met her eyes steadily."I'm not your enemy.I'm just trying to help find whoever killed Patricia Lomahongva."
Polacca was quiet for a moment, her jaw tight.Then she gave a short nod."Fine.What do you want to look at?"
"Everything.But let's start with the approach.Show me how someone would have accessed this site without being seen."
Polacca hesitated, then gestured for Kari to follow.They walked the perimeter of the crime scene, Polacca pointing out the terrain features, the sight lines, the places where evidence markers indicated someone had walked.As they moved, she explained the layout of the area, which dirt roads led here, which families had traditional claims to this land.
Kari listened carefully, not just to the words but to what wasn't being said.Polacca was thorough, but there was a distance in her voice, a holding back.She was sharing information because she'd been ordered to, not because she trusted Kari or wanted her here.
It was going to be a long investigation.
