"But creating accurate reproductions requires detailed knowledge," Kari pressed."Knowledge of what items would have been used in burial contexts, how they would have been positioned, what significance each piece would have had."
"Which I have because I've spent thirty years studying our culture, working with elders, learning the old ways."Jake's hands clenched into fists."But I use that knowledge to preserve and educate, not to...to desecrate."
"Where were you two nights ago?"Kari asked abruptly, hoping to catch him off guard."Between seven and midnight?"
"Here.Working.Alone."Jake's voice was sharp."I live alone, work alone.I don't have alibis because I don't need them.I didn't kill anyone."
Kari changed direction."What about Patricia Lomahongva's genealogical project?Did you participate in it?"
Jake's expression shifted, anger mixing with something else—discomfort, maybe, or fear."No.I didn't participate.And I told Patricia I thought the whole thing was dangerous."
"Dangerous how?"
"Dangerous because some things are better left unknown."Jake moved to the work table and began organizing the reproduction artifacts with sharp, agitated movements."DNA testing, digging into family histories, quantifying heritage like it's just data to be analyzed—it reduces what it means to be Hopi to genetics.It threatens to tear apart families, to create conflicts over enrollment, to make people question who they are."
"Did you tell Patricia this?"
"Yes.About six months ago, when she asked if I wanted to participate.I told her I thought she was playing with fire, that this kind of research would hurt more than it helped."He stopped his frantic organizing and looked at them."But I didn't kill her over it.I disagreed with her work, but I respected her right to do it.That's a fundamental difference."
Kari studied him, noting the agitation, the passion in his defense of tradition.Jake Honanie seemed to believe deeply in what he was saying.He viewed the genealogical project as a threat to cultural cohesion, to traditional ways of understanding identity.
But did that belief extend to murder?To staging elaborate crime scenes at sacred sites to make a point about protecting tradition?
"You said you were here alone last night," Kari said."Is there any way to verify that?Anyone who might have seen your vehicle, or called you, or—"
"I don't know.Maybe someone drove past and saw my lights on.Who knows?"Jake's voice was bitter now."I can't prove I was here any more than you can prove I wasn't.So, unless you have actual evidence, I'd appreciate it if you'd let me get back to work."
It was clear the conversation was over.
"Thank you for your time," Kari said.
In the vehicle, Polacca started the engine but didn't immediately drive away."What do you think?"
"I think he has the knowledge, the materials, and a motive—protecting traditional culture from what he sees as destructive outside influence."Kari looked back at the workshop."But I also think he's angry about the murders.He sees them as desecrations, as attacks on what he's spent his life trying to preserve."
"So is he on the suspect list or not?"
"Everyone with knowledge and access is on the suspect list until we can rule them out.But without alibis, without physical evidence..."Kari trailed off, frustrated.
She was silent for a few moments, thinking.
"We need that genealogical data," she finally said."Whatever Patricia discovered, whatever truth she was planning to share—that's what got her and Robert killed.Until we know what that truth is, we're just guessing about motive."
"Which brings us back to the encrypted files on her computer."
"Or to convincing the tribal council to authorize Emma to share what she has."Kari pulled out her phone."I'm going to call the chief.Ask him to set up a meeting with the council.Make the case that solving these murders requires access to that information."
"Good luck with that," Polacca said, but there was a note of respect in her voice now, a sense that they were truly working together rather than just occupying the same space.
Kari made the call to Chief Lomayesva, explained the situation, and requested his help in securing council authorization.He listened, asked careful questions, and finally agreed to arrange a meeting.
"But Kari," he said, his voice heavy with caution, "the council is very concerned about privacy.About the potential for this data to cause harm if it's released improperly.You'll need to make a compelling case."
"Two people are dead, Chief.That's as compelling as it gets."
"I hope the council sees it that way."
The meeting was set for that afternoon.Which gave Kari and Polacca a few hours to prepare their argument, to gather whatever evidence they had, to make the case that solving murders trumped privacy concerns.
