Kari circled around to view the scene from a different angle.As she moved, something caught her attention—the way certain stones were positioned, the direction a particular pottery shard was facing.She thought about the Navajo burial practices her grandmother had described over the years, the subtle differences between how different tribes approached death, and the honoring of remains.
"There are Navajo elements too," Kari said slowly."Look at how these stones are placed.And the way that bone fragment is oriented—that's not Hopi practice, that's Navajo.But it's not quite right.The angle is off by maybe fifteen degrees from where it should be."
Polacca moved to where Kari was standing, following her gaze.Her expression remained neutral."I think you're reading too much into it.Rocks are rocks.The placement could be coincidental."
"Multiple elements that just happen to align with Navajo ceremonial traditions?That's a lot of coincidence."Kari knelt down, careful not to touch anything, studying the arrangement more closely."Whoever did this has knowledge of both Hopi and Navajo practices.That's unusual."
"Not as unusual as you might think.Our peoples have lived side by side for centuries.There's overlap, shared knowledge, and intermarriage.It doesn't mean anything sinister."
Kari couldn't tell whether Polacca genuinely saw the situation differently or just liked being a contrarian.
"I'm not suggesting it's sinister.I'm suggesting it's a clue."Kari stood and faced Polacca directly."The killer has deep knowledge of multiple tribal traditions.That could mean someone of mixed heritage who learned from both sides of their family.Or someone who studied both cultures extensively—an academic, maybe, or a cultural preservation specialist."
"Or it could mean you're seeing patterns that aren't there because you're looking for connections to your own culture."Polacca's voice was flat, but the accusation was clear."Not everything involves the Navajo, Detective."
Kari bit back her irritation."I'm not trying to make this about cultural rivalry.I'm trying to understand who has the knowledge to commit these crimes."
"Everyone here has knowledge of Hopi practices.That's not a clue.That's just life in this community."Polacca turned away, moving toward where the Hopi man was sitting on a rock.
"Where are you going?"Kari asked.
"To interview James Koyiyumptewa," Polacca said over her shoulder.
Kari watched her go, frustrated by the wall Polacca kept throwing up every time Kari tried to discuss theories or interpretations.She understood the defensiveness—Polacca didn't want to believe that someone with deep cultural knowledge, someone from within the community, could be doing this.But refusing to consider the evidence wasn't going to help them catch the killer.
After taking a moment to calm herself, Kari joined Dr.Nakai, who looked up as she approached.Dr.Nakai was a woman in her fifties, her face showing no sign of shock or unease at the presence of the dead man.Kari had the impression that Dr.Nakai had seen a lot during her time.
"Time of death is approximate, but I'd estimate sometime between midnight and four AM last night," the ME said."Cause appears to be similar to the Lomahongva case—multiple stab wounds.He was killed elsewhere and brought here post-mortem.The arrangement happened after death."
"Any defensive wounds?"Kari asked.
"I'll know more after the full autopsy, but preliminary examination suggests yes.He fought back."Dr.Nakai gestured to the victim's hands."Tissue under the fingernails, abrasions on the knuckles.He tried to protect himself."
Kari filed that information away.Patricia and Robert—both killed with a knife, both fought back, both transported to ancient sites and surrounded by items with ceremonial significance.The pattern was clear, even if the motive wasn't.
Polacca joined them.
"That was quick," Kari said, glancing at James Koyiyumptewa, who was now rubbing his face with both hands.
"He didn't have much to say," Polacca answered."He saw vehicle lights out here late last night, came to investigate this afternoon, and found the body.Didn't see anyone, didn't hear anything specific.Just lights in the distance."
"No description of the vehicle?"
"Too dark, too far away.Could have been a truck or an SUV.That's all he could tell me."
Kari pondered the timeline.Patricia had been last seen at seven PM the previous night, Robert at six PM.Robert had apparently died between midnight and four AM.
"Dr.Nakai," Kari said."Could you hazard a guess as to Patricia Lomahongva's time of death?"
"I'd say between seven-thirty and nine PM last night," Dr.Nakai answered.
That meant that between six PM and four AM, someone killed Patricia and Robert, transported their bodies, and staged their bodies.A lot of work for ten hours.With any luck, the killer would be sleeping today rather than targeting anyone else.
Kari turned her attention back to the scene, trying to see past the horror to the information it contained.Two victims now, both connected to the Cultural Center.Patricia had been a genealogist, Robert an anthropologist.Both worked with cultural information, with history, with the documentation of Hopi heritage.
But what was the motive?Why had they been targeted?
"Robert's office," Kari said suddenly."We need to see it.If he was working on something related to Patricia's research, there might be evidence there."
