A council member to the chairman's right—a woman in her fifties with steel-gray hair—spoke up."Has Emma Talayesva been threatened?Are there other project participants in danger?"
"We don't know," Kari admitted."That's part of why I need to see the data—to understand who else might be at risk."
Another council member, younger, maybe forty, said, "But if the killer's motive is to suppress this information, wouldn't giving you access potentially make the problem worse?You're an outsider.There's no guarantee you'll keep it confidential.What if it leaks?What if families who never consented to having their genealogical information shared with law enforcement suddenly find themselves exposed?"
"I would be willing to sign any confidentiality agreement you require," Kari said."I have no interest in publicizing this information.I only need to see it to understand the pattern of who might be threatened."
Chairman Namingha's expression remained neutral."Let me be frank, Detective.This genealogical project has been controversial from the beginning.Some of us supported it as a way to help families heal and connect with their heritage.Others opposed it, believing DNA testing reduces our identity to genetics and threatens our enrollment system.Patricia's work was revealing information that challenges long-held family narratives and, in some cases, official enrollment records."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across his fellow council members before returning to Kari."If that information becomes public—even inadvertently—it could tear this community apart.Families could be split by disputes over heritage and enrollment status.People could lose their tribal membership.The political and social fallout would be devastating."
"With respect, Mr.Chairman, keeping the information locked away hasn't prevented two murders," Kari said."I believe the killer already knows what's in that data, and they're willing to kill to keep it secret.The question is whether you're going to help me identify them before they kill again, or whether you're going to prioritize privacy over justice."
She knew immediately she'd pushed too hard.Several council members stiffened, and Chairman Namingha's eyes flashed with anger.
"Detective, we are not choosing between privacy and justice.We are trying to balance multiple competing concerns—the privacy rights of dozens of families, the integrity of our enrollment system, the stability of our community, and yes, the need to solve these terrible crimes."His voice was sharp now."Don't presume to lecture us about our priorities.We've been protecting this community for generations.We know what's at stake here better than you do."
Kari bit back her frustration."I apologize if I overstepped.But I'm asking you to help me do my job.I can't solve these murders blind."
The council members conferred among themselves in low voices, some in English, some in Hopi.Kari couldn't follow the conversations, but she could read the body language—skepticism, concern, a few who seemed sympathetic but were clearly in the minority.
Finally, Chairman Namingha spoke."We need to discuss this privately.If you'll wait outside, we'll call you back in when we've reached a decision."
Kari, Polacca, and Chief Lomayesva filed back into the antechamber.The door closed behind them with a solid thunk that felt final.
Chief Lomayesva rubbed his face, suddenly looking older."That didn't go well."
"I pushed too hard," Kari said.
"They needed to hear it."He shook his head."But the chairman is dug in.If he opposes authorization, he'll carry most of the council with him.He has that kind of influence."
"Why is he so opposed?"Polacca asked."It's not just about general privacy concerns.There's something specific driving his resistance."
Chief Lomayesva was quiet for a moment, clearly weighing how much to share."The chairman's daughter married outside the tribe.Her children are enrolled, but it's been challenged before—questions about blood quantum, documentation issues.If Patricia's research includes data about the Namingha family, if it reveals anything that could be used to challenge his grandchildren's enrollment..."He trailed off.
Kari understood immediately.The chairman wasn't just protecting abstract principles.He was protecting his family.And that made him a formidable opponent because his opposition was personal, not just political.
They waited for forty minutes.Kari paced the small antechamber, her mind churning through alternatives.If the council refused, what options remained?Could she get a warrant?Probably not, given the political sensitivities and the lack of concrete evidence tying the genealogical data directly to the murders.Could she convince Emma to share the information anyway?No, Emma had made it clear she wouldn't defy the council's instructions.
Which left them with the encrypted computer files and Lucas's increasingly frustrated attempts to crack them.Not exactly a promising path.
The door opened.A council member gestured for them to return.
Back in the chambers, Chairman Namingha's expression told Kari everything she needed to know before he even spoke.
"Detective Blackhorse, the council has decided that we cannot authorize the release of the genealogical research data at this time.The privacy concerns are too significant, and we're not convinced that the information would be relevant to your investigation."
"Not relevant?"Kari couldn't keep the disbelief from her voice."Both victims worked on this project.They were killed days before they were scheduled to present their findings.How is that not relevant?"
"Correlation is not causation, Detective.Yes, both victims were involved in the project.But you haven't demonstrated a direct link between the specific data they collected and their murders.You're asking us to compromise dozens of families' privacy based on speculation."
"With respect, Mr.Chairman, I can't demonstrate that direct link without seeing the data.That's circular reasoning—"
Chairman Namingha held up a hand."Our decision is final.However, we're not unsympathetic to your investigation.We're authorizing Chief Lomayesva to provide you with whatever resources and personnel you need.We're also directing Emma Talayesva to share general information about the project's methodology and scope—nothing that identifies specific families or individuals, but enough to help you understand the context."
It was a compromise that gave Kari almost nothing useful.General methodology wouldn't tell her what specific discoveries had gotten Patricia and Robert killed.It wouldn't reveal which families might feel threatened by the findings.It wouldn't point her toward a suspect.
"Thank you for your consideration," Kari said, forcing the words out through clenched teeth.
