"That's my interpretation.There's also evidence of a struggle—bruising on the victim's upper arms consistent with being grabbed forcefully, defensive wounds on her hands where she tried to protect herself.She fought back, Detective.She didn't go quietly."
Kari nodded, unsure whether to be encouraged or troubled by this."Anything else?"
"The body was moved to the burial site within a few hours of death—rigor mortis patterns suggest she was positioned before full rigor set in, which would put the staging between midnight and two AM."
So the killer had held onto Patricia's body for several hours before arranging it at the site.That suggested preparation, the need to wait for the right time when they wouldn't be disturbed.And considering Robert had been murdered last night, too, it showed a lot of careful planning on the killer's part.
"What about the tissue under the fingernails?"Kari asked.
"I've sent it for DNA analysis, but that will take at least a week."
Kari tried not to show her disappointment in her tone."Thank you, Dr.Nakai.This is helpful."
"I'll have the full report to you by tomorrow.And Detective?I'll be doing the Nuvangyaoma autopsy tonight.If there are any significant differences in the pattern, I'll let you know immediately."
Kari ended the call just as another vehicle pulled into the parking lot—a small sedan that parked two spaces away.A Hopi woman in her early forties emerged, dressed professionally in slacks and a cardigan, her expression showing confusion rather than concern.
"That's Emma," Polacca said, opening her door.
They met Emma at the entrance to the building.She was looking between them with puzzlement."Officer Polacca, I'm happy to talk, but I'm not sure what's so urgent.I heard about Patricia, of course—everyone has.It's tragic.But I don't see how I can help with the investigation."
Kari and Polacca exchanged a glance.Emma didn't know about Robert yet.The news hadn't spread through the community, or at least not to her corner of it.
"Ms.Talayesva," Kari began carefully, "there's been another death.Robert Nuvangyaoma was found this morning."
Emma's face went pale."Robert?What do you mean?What happened?"
"He was murdered," Polacca said."Similar circumstances to Patricia."
"Oh my God."Emma pressed a hand to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock."Robert...we just talked two days ago.He was...oh my God."
"That's why we need to speak with you," Kari said gently."Both Patricia and Robert were involved in the genealogical research project you coordinate.We need to understand that project, what they were working on, whether their work might have created conflicts with anyone."
Emma fumbled with her keys, her hands shaking as she unlocked the building's front door."I can't believe this.Two people.This doesn't make sense."
She led them inside to a small office, gesturing for them to sit while she moved around her desk like someone in a daze.She sat down heavily in her chair, still processing the news.
"Ms.Talayesva," Kari said, keeping her voice calm, "can you tell us about the genealogical research project?"
Emma took a deep breath, clearly trying to compose herself."It's a community initiative.We started it about eighteen months ago, working with university partners to provide DNA testing services for tribal members who wanted to understand their family histories.The goal was healing—helping people connect with their ancestry, understand their lineage, recover knowledge that might have been lost through displacement or historical trauma."
"And Patricia was the primary researcher?"
"Yes.She had the expertise in genealogy, the understanding of how to interpret the genetic data in the context of our tribal histories.Robert was helping her analyze the broader implications, looking at what the data meant for understanding Hopi history and cultural continuity."
"What kinds of things were they discovering?"Kari asked.
Emma hesitated."That's...complicated.Genealogical research can reveal unexpected things.Sometimes people discover they're related to families they didn't know they had connections to.Sometimes, adoption or fostering arrangements that weren't formally documented become clear.Sometimes..."She trailed off, choosing her words carefully."Sometimes the genetic data doesn't align perfectly with family oral histories or official records."
"You mean it shows mixed heritage that people didn't know about?"
"Among other things."Emma straightened, looking ill at ease with this line of questioning."But this is private information.These are people's family histories, their identities.I can't just share details about what was discovered."
"Two people connected to this project are dead," Kari pressed."If their research revealed something that made someone angry enough to kill, we need to know what it was."
"I understand that, but there are privacy concerns.Ethical obligations.These are real people's lives, their enrollment status, their standing in the community."Emma leaned forward, her expression earnest."Detective, you have to understand—tribal enrollment is about more than just genetics.It's about cultural connection, community acceptance, family ties.If genetic data challenges someone's enrollment or questions their heritage, that's not just an academic issue.It's existential."
Polacca shifted in her chair."Were Patricia and Robert planning to make their findings public?"
