"First thing.But let's verify Michael's alibi first.I don't want to waste time chasing suspects who couldn't have done it."
They arranged to meet at seven the next morning.Then Polacca drove Kari back to the small motel where she'd checked in that afternoon—a modest place on the edge of Hopi territory where a handful of rooms were available for the occasional researcher or government official.
"You did good work today," Polacca said as Kari gathered her things.It was the first real compliment she'd offered, and it caught Kari off guard.
"So did you.We're getting somewhere, I think."
"Maybe."Polacca's expression was unreadable in the dim light."I'll see you tomorrow, Detective."
Kari watched her drive away, then let herself into the small, clean room that would be home for the foreseeable future.She called Ben to update him, spoke to Captain Yazzie about the day's developments, then collapsed onto the bed, exhausted but unable to sleep.
Two victims.A genealogical project revealing dangerous truths.A killer with deep cultural knowledge using sacred sites as stages for murder.And somewhere in the encrypted files on Patricia's computer, the answers that would make sense of it all.
Kari stared at the ceiling and thought about patterns, about the seventeen unsolved cases her father was reviewing, about deaths at sacred sites explained away with cultural context.
The present and the past aren't separate.They're threads in the same weaving.
Tomorrow, she would talk to Jake Honanie.She would follow the leads where they went.She would keep pushing until something broke.
Sleep finally came, restless and filled with half-formed dreams of ancient sites and modern murders, of secrets buried in genetic code and truths too dangerous to share.
* * *
The next morning began with a phone call to Dr.Nora Namoki, who confirmed that Michael Sekaquaptewa had been with her at the Cultural Preservation Office on the night Robert Nuvangyaoma was killed.They'd worked together from six PM until nearly midnight, collaborating on a grant proposal.She was clear, credible, and specific about timing.
Michael was off the suspect list.
Which meant they needed to focus on other possibilities.
Jake Honanie's workshop was located at his home, a traditional-style dwelling on the edge of Second Mesa.The property was well-maintained, with a separate building that served as his workspace.As they pulled up, Kari could see traditional pottery drying on racks outside, katsina dolls in various states of completion visible through the workshop windows.
Jake himself emerged from the workshop as they approached.He was in his fifties, stocky and strong, with calloused hands and paint stains on his work apron.His expression was wary as he saw Polacca's uniform, and it didn't improve when he noticed Kari.
"Officer Polacca," he said, his tone neutral."What can I do for you?"
"This is Detective Blackhorse from Navajo Nation Police.We need to ask you some questions about Patricia Lomahongva and Robert Nuvangyaoma."
Jake's expression hardened."Terrible what happened to them.But I don't see how I can help."
"Can we come in?"Kari asked.
Jake hesitated, then gestured toward the workshop."Out here is fine.I've got work to do."
They followed him into the workshop, and Kari felt her pulse quicken as she took in the space.Shelves lined the walls, filled with ceremonial items in various stages of creation.Traditional pottery—some pieces looked ancient in style, others clearly modern but following traditional patterns.Katsina dolls, their features painted with meticulous detail.And in one corner, laid out on a work table, were items that made Kari's breath catch.
Bone fragments.Stone tools.Pottery shards.
They looked remarkably similar to the items that had been arranged around Patricia's and Robert's bodies.
Jake followed her gaze, and his jaw tightened."Those are reproductions.For educational purposes.Museums use them, cultural centers.I make them so people can learn without disturbing actual ancient sites."
"You create items that look like artifacts from burial sites?"Kari asked carefully.
"I create items that look like traditional Hopi cultural materials, yes.That's my job.That's how I preserve our heritage—by teaching people what our ancestors made, how they lived."His voice was defensive now."If you're suggesting—"
"We're not suggesting anything," Polacca interrupted."We're just trying to understand who has the knowledge and materials to create the scenes we found at the crime sites."
"Half the tribe has that knowledge if they grew up traditionally.And the materials?"Jake gestured at his workshop."Anyone who's ever visited an ancient site has seen similar items.They're not exactly secret."
