Kari moved to the desk and looked at the files without touching them.The top folder was labeled with a family name she didn't recognize.She glanced at Polacca."Can I look through these?"
"That's why we're here."But Polacca made no move to help, just leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed, watching.
Kari opened the folder carefully.Inside were genealogical charts, DNA test results, handwritten notes in what must have been Patricia's precise script.The research seemed meticulous, tracing family lines back generations, documenting marriages, births, deaths.Nothing immediately jumped out as relevant to her murder.
She moved to the next folder, then the next.More of the same—families seeking to understand their heritage, Patricia helping them piece together their histories.
"Was Patricia working on anything controversial?"Kari asked, not looking up from the files."Anything that might have made someone angry?"
Polacca was quiet for a moment."You'd have to ask the people who worked with her."
Kari set down the folder and turned to face Polacca directly."Officer Polacca, I can't do this investigation if I'm working blind.I need you to help me understand the context.Was Patricia's work controversial?"
"Some people have strong feelings about genealogical research.About DNA testing.About digging into family histories that might be better left alone."Polacca's expression remained neutral."As far as whether that's relevant to this investigation…" She shrugged one shoulder.
"Alright," Kari said, keeping her frustration in check."Who else works on this floor?Who would have seen Patricia yesterday before she left?"
"The director's office is at the end of the hall.There's also the cultural preservation office, the archives department, and a few researchers who have offices up here."Polacca pushed off from the doorframe."You want to start interviewing people?"
"Yes."
They left Patricia's office and walked down the hall.The first office they came to had an open door and a man inside, maybe forty, working at a computer.He looked up as they approached, his expression friendly until his gaze landed on Kari's uniform.Then his face closed like a door.
"Excuse me," Kari said, stopping at the threshold."I'm Detective Blackhorse, investigating Patricia Lomahongva's death.Do you have a few minutes to answer some questions?"
The man's eyes flicked to Polacca, who stood slightly behind Kari, her face impassive.He seemed to be waiting for Polacca to say something, to vouch for Kari's presence.When she didn't, his jaw tightened.
"I already talked to the police earlier," he said.
"I understand, but I'm following up.When did you last see Patricia?"
"I don't know.Maybe yesterday afternoon?I didn't really pay attention."He turned back to his computer, a clear dismissal."I'm busy right now."
Kari felt the sting of the rebuff but kept her voice level."This will only take a few minutes.Patricia left the building around seven PM yesterday.Did you see her leave?"
"No."
"Do you know if she was meeting with anyone?If she seemed worried about anything?"
"No."The man didn't look up from his screen."Like I said, I already talked to the police."
Kari glanced at Polacca, who was studying her fingernails with apparent disinterest.No help there.She tried once more."Sir, I'm just trying to understand Patricia's final hours.Anything you can remember—"
"I said I'm busy."Now the man did look up, and there was open hostility in his eyes."I don't know why the chief brought in someone from outside to ask questions we already answered.We take care of our own."
Kari felt heat rise in her face but forced herself to remain calm."Thank you for your time."
She stepped back into the hallway, and Polacca followed.Neither of them spoke until they were several paces away.
"That's how it's going to be?"Kari asked quietly.
Polacca shrugged."Some people have strong feelings about outside involvement in our affairs.You knew that coming in."
"And you couldn't have introduced me?Explained why I'm here?"
"The chief already explained why you're here.Whether people accept that explanation isn't my problem."But there was something in Polacca's eyes—not quite satisfaction, but maybe a kind of grim confirmation.See?This is what you're up against.
Kari bit back a sharp response.Getting into a confrontation with Polacca wouldn't help anything.She just needed to push through, do her job regardless of the resistance.
