Plant Them Deep (14 page)
Authors: Aimee & David Thurlo
“Maybe he’s had problems finding it.”
“Maybe so,” Lena said slowly. “But that old horse always keeps his word. If he said he’d come by, he would have, even empty-handed.”
Rose nodded. Lena was right.
“He said he was going to his favorite collection
site—the one over by Teec Nos Pos.”
site—the one over by Teec Nos Pos.”
“I’ll see what I can find out. If I remember correctly, his old truck is not in very good condition. He may be stuck someplace,” she said with a sigh, “or have run out of gas and had to hike back.”
Lena nodded, then closed her eyes. “I’m glad you came.”
Rose turned the television set off and slipped out of the room. Now she had two friends to worry about.
They both knew Charlie, and he would have come if he’d been physically able to make it at all. That was just the way he was, and it was unfortunate that this had happened now, because Lena didn’t need one more thing to worry about.
They both knew Charlie, and he would have come if he’d been physically able to make it at all. That was just the way he was, and it was unfortunate that this had happened now, because Lena didn’t need one more thing to worry about.
By the time Rose arrived home, it was nearly ten. Two met her at the back door, and she was glad for his company.
“Come on, old dog. It’s just you and me tonight,”
she said, letting him inside first. This time, before she’d taken more than a step into the kitchen, she turned and locked the door.
she said, letting him inside first. This time, before she’d taken more than a step into the kitchen, she turned and locked the door.
Still very worried about Lena and Charlie, Rose didn’t sleep very well at all that night. She tossed and turned so much, throwing off the covers, then gathering them up again, that Two finally jumped off her bed, choosing to lie on the floor instead.
At sunrise,
she went outside and said her prayers to the dawn. Then she came back inside and fixed herself some breakfast. This was her favorite meal of the day, and with no one else to cook for, she decided to indulge herself. While a fresh pot of tea was brewing, she fixed scrambled eggs with sausage, wrapped it in a homemade tortilla, then smothered it all with salsa and cheese.
she went outside and said her prayers to the dawn. Then she came back inside and fixed herself some breakfast. This was her favorite meal of the day, and with no one else to cook for, she decided to indulge herself. While a fresh pot of tea was brewing, she fixed scrambled eggs with sausage, wrapped it in a homemade tortilla, then smothered it all with salsa and cheese.
This morning, she’d eat
a good meal without rushing, then she’d go out and find Charlie. She figured she’d catch him beside the road somewhere between Shiprock and Teec Nos Pos, just across the state line in Arizona, trying to fix his truck—which he usually did quite well. As he’d told her on more than one occasion, he knew his truck better than some men knew their wives.
a good meal without rushing, then she’d go out and find Charlie. She figured she’d catch him beside the road somewhere between Shiprock and Teec Nos Pos, just across the state line in Arizona, trying to fix his truck—which he usually did quite well. As he’d told her on more than one occasion, he knew his truck better than some men knew their wives.
It wasn’t even seven-thirty when she heard someone
pull
up the driveway. She glanced outside through the kitchen window and saw the outline of a man she didn’t recognize sitting in a truck. She tried to catch a clear glimpse of the man’s face, but she wasn’t able to see him clearly until he stepped down from the cab and leaned against the door, waiting.
pull
up the driveway. She glanced outside through the kitchen window and saw the outline of a man she didn’t recognize sitting in a truck. She tried to catch a clear glimpse of the man’s face, but she wasn’t able to see him clearly until he stepped down from the cab and leaned against the door, waiting.
It was Ben Tso. Rose hurried to the porch and invited him inside. She had nothing but respect
for the elderly
hataalii.
Through the years he had learned many Sings, and he was one of the most trusted medicine men in the Southwest.
for the elderly
hataalii.
Through the years he had learned many Sings, and he was one of the most trusted medicine men in the Southwest.
“Come in, old friend. What brings you here this morning?”
“I needed to talk to you in private.”
“Then come into the kitchen. Would you like some breakfast?”
He smelled the fresh herbal tea, glanced at the food on her plate, and nodded. “I really would, thank
you very much. I haven’t eaten since early yesterday. I’ve had to travel to see several patients.”
you very much. I haven’t eaten since early yesterday. I’ve had to travel to see several patients.”
Rose smiled. She loved cooking for people, and the truth was she’d missed it this morning. She fixed him a breakfast burrito, then brought out some fry bread she’d warmed in the oven, placing it beside a dish of butter.
“This is a feast! I didn’t mean to put you to so much trouble,” Ben said.
“It’s no trouble at all.” She waited until he had eaten the burrito and was on his second cup of tea before speaking again. “Now tell me what’s brought you here today.”
“Yesterday I went to a collection site that has always been lucky for me. I needed to find ‘frog tobacco’ to make a tea for a patient who was saved from drowning. But I wasn’t able to find the plant anywhere. After checking another
site where I’d found it before and still coming up empty-handed, I spoke to several other
hataaliis
. No one has been able to find it anywhere, except for a few immature plants too small to use.
Not even the new traditionalist singer had any to sell.”
site where I’d found it before and still coming up empty-handed, I spoke to several other
hataaliis
. No one has been able to find it anywhere, except for a few immature plants too small to use.
Not even the new traditionalist singer had any to sell.”
“Let me check my reports.” Rose went into the next room and brought out her notes. They were mostly scribbled on notebook paper, but after a moment
she looked up. “I’m sorry, I haven’t come across any collection sites for it, and neither have any of the Plant Watchers.”
she looked up. “I’m sorry, I haven’t come across any collection sites for it, and neither have any of the Plant Watchers.”
He nodded, then exhaled softly. “There used to be some plants over by Twin Lakes, but when I went to search this time I could see that someone had beaten me to it. Several plants were dead—dug up and left to rot in the sun—but there were twice as many holes as plants, so
whoever dug them up took an equal number with him.” He paused. “I haven’t seen anyone use a GI shovel like that since I was a Marine on Okinawa during the war—but that’s exactly what was used to dig up the plants.”
whoever dug them up took an equal number with him.” He paused. “I haven’t seen anyone use a GI shovel like that since I was a Marine on Okinawa during the war—but that’s exactly what was used to dig up the plants.”
“I know what you’re talking about. I’ve found identical marks at other collection sites all over the Four Corners.”
Ben paused for a long time. Finally, he looked up. “You suggested
that we share the information about our collection sites with you. Well, those of us who met on Beautiful Mountain gathered together again last night at your son’s hogan and we decided on a plan. We want you to act as a primary storehouse of information—keeping the exact locations of the collection sites a secret. Then, when one of us needs something, we could come to you and you could get it for
us. That way the locations would never be compromised, and we would all still share the blessing the Plant People bring.”
that we share the information about our collection sites with you. Well, those of us who met on Beautiful Mountain gathered together again last night at your son’s hogan and we decided on a plan. We want you to act as a primary storehouse of information—keeping the exact locations of the collection sites a secret. Then, when one of us needs something, we could come to you and you could get it for
us. That way the locations would never be compromised, and we would all still share the blessing the Plant People bring.”
“And all have agreed?”
“Not all. The new traditionalist didn’t, but the rest of us in this area are ready to give you the location of the sites, if you’ll agree.”
Rose nodded. “I will report the availability of the plants—or their scarcity—to the council, but I will withhold
the location of the collection sites all of you give me.”
the location of the collection sites all of you give me.”
“Good.” He reached into his pocket and gave her four lists. “These are the sites. I have all of them, but I didn’t look at any of the lists except for my own. Only you will have all the knowledge.”
Rose understood the faith they’d placed in her and was determined not to let them down. “I will make it a point to search for ‘frog tobacco.’
If I find any, I will let you know.”
If I find any, I will let you know.”
Ben finished his tea and, thanking her, stood. “Your son wanted me to tell you that the hand trembler will go to the hospital today.”
“Thank you for telling me,” Rose said.
“I better get started. I have a lot of patients to see today.” Ben headed to the door, then stopped. “Have you seen any ‘salt thin’?”
She shook her head. “But it’s one of the Plant People
I’ve been trying hard to find. Do you need it right away for a patient?”
I’ve been trying hard to find. Do you need it right away for a patient?”
“No, but I was told that it’s getting quite scarce. I like to have some on hand for people who get burns, so if you find it, just send word to me.”
After Ben left, Rose walked outside, locking the door behind her, and went to her truck. Maybe Charlie, once she found him, would be able to tell her about “frog tobacco” and
“salt thin.” He knew each of the Plant People far better than she did.
“salt thin.” He knew each of the Plant People far better than she did.
After patting the dog on the head, she climbed into the truck. Rose had just started the engine when she saw Herman Cloud pulling into the driveway. She sighed, frustrated by what would undoubtedly be another delay. Although she was always glad to see Herman, tracking down Charlie wouldn’t be easy, and she’d have to get going
soon.
soon.
Herman climbed out of his own pickup and came over, leaning into her passenger’s side window. “Where are you off to now? Can you use company?”
Rose considered it, then nodded. “Actually, I would like some companionship. I’m going over to check some sites between Beclabito and Teec Nos Pos this morning,” she said, and explained.
“That’s a lot of ground to cover.”
Rose exhaled softly.
“That may be a good thing. I have to search for ‘salt thin’ and ‘frog tobacco.’ Some of our
hataaliis
are looking for it.”
“That may be a good thing. I have to search for ‘salt thin’ and ‘frog tobacco.’ Some of our
hataaliis
are looking for it.”
“I know both of those plants. I can help and save you some time.”
“Good. Hop in my truck and we’ll get going.”
As Rose drove them east toward the highway, she enjoyed the cool desert morning air that came through her open window. She loved early morning drives in June.
Later, the day could get spectacularly hot, but the morning temperatures were always pleasant and invariably brightened her mood.
Later, the day could get spectacularly hot, but the morning temperatures were always pleasant and invariably brightened her mood.
“I spoke to the nurses at the hospital this morning. They said that there’s no change in our friend’s condition,” Herman said after they’d traveled a few miles.
Rose nodded. “I saw her last night, and I’m very worried. Once we find
Cháala,
I want to bring him by quickly.
I think seeing him again will make her feel better. She’s always had special feelings for him.”
Cháala,
I want to bring him by quickly.
I think seeing him again will make her feel better. She’s always had special feelings for him.”
Herman smiled and nodded. “I know, and I think he does for her too, but he’s not the kind to get married. Never was. He likes his lifestyle too much—no attachments, comes and goes as he pleases. I heard he has a new, larger trailer now too.”
“It sounds like you envy him just a little bit,” Rose said,
eyebrows up.
eyebrows up.
He laughed. “Most men do,” he answered, then grew serious. “But I love the family I still have. I’m glad every day of my life that I have those boys … men, now.” He reached for the radio and turned it on, finding the Navajo music station.
Fifteen minutes later, cruising down the highway, Rose tensed, an odd feeling she couldn’t shake creeping slowly over her. Alert and uneasy,
she turned off the radio, not wanting any distractions.
she turned off the radio, not wanting any distractions.
Herman sat up. “Is something wrong?”
“I thought I heard a funny noise. Hush and listen.”
For several minutes all they heard was the hum of tires on the road. Then it came again, a soft rattling sound. She recognized it in an instant. “Don’t move, it’s close. I can feel it in my bones. I just don’t know where it is.”
“Where
what
is?” He
listened, and they heard the sound again. “Never mind,” he whispered. “I recognize it.”
what
is?” He
listened, and they heard the sound again. “Never mind,” he whispered. “I recognize it.”
“Only one thing makes a dry rattling sound like that—a rattlesnake.” She pulled slowly over onto the shoulder of the road. “And if it’s rattling, it feels threatened and is telling us to watch out because it’s ready to strike.”
R
ose switched off the ignition and then sat very still. They had just lifted their feet up onto the seat and were all hunched up. “Try to pinpoint its location without moving.”
ose switched off the ignition and then sat very still. They had just lifted their feet up onto the seat and were all hunched up. “Try to pinpoint its location without moving.”
“I’m not even breathing,” Herman whispered back.
Rose listened, but now there was no sound except the ticking of cooling metal from the engine. Then, as she shifted in her seat, she heard it moving again.
“I think it’s behind my seat in that storage area somewhere.”
“I think it’s behind my seat in that storage area somewhere.”
“Then stay still. Let me see if I can find out exactly where it is.” Moving slowly, he unbuckled his seat belt and swung around, getting onto his knees with a creaky groan. “I’m getting way too old for this.” Then he peered over the back of the bench seat. “It’s coiled at the moment, directly behind you, but it can’t strike at anything,
not from where it is now. Open the door and jump out quickly.”
not from where it is now. Open the door and jump out quickly.”
Rose didn’t hesitate. Opening the door quickly, she scrambled out and stepped away from the cab, turning around to watch for the snake. Herman had gone out his door at the same time, and now hurried around to join her.
“How on earth did that thing get inside my truck?” she managed.
“There’s no way it could have crawled into the
cab by itself,” Herman said. “Not unless you left the door open all night and put in a ramp for it to use. I know you didn’t park against a hill or under a large tree branch.”
cab by itself,” Herman said. “Not unless you left the door open all night and put in a ramp for it to use. I know you didn’t park against a hill or under a large tree branch.”
Rose’s eyes widened in horror. “Someone put that thing in there on purpose!”
“Yes,” Herman said quietly. “You don’t do that by accident.”
“I thought they were only trying to scare me … but now they mean me harm. We both
could have been bitten, or been in an accident. What if my granddaughter had been with me?”
could have been bitten, or been in an accident. What if my granddaughter had been with me?”
“Maybe the person knew she and your daughter the police officer weren’t at home,” Herman said, taking a closer look at where the reptile was still hiding.
“From what I can see,” he said, “the snake was in an open gunny sack when it was placed behind your seat. Our voices and the motion of the truck, along
with its bad mood after being trapped in the sack, must have triggered its rattling,” he said, then added, “You know it’s rare for a rattlesnake to actually kill an adult, but it could have made you very sick.”
with its bad mood after being trapped in the sack, must have triggered its rattling,” he said, then added, “You know it’s rare for a rattlesnake to actually kill an adult, but it could have made you very sick.”
“Maybe the person was hoping I’d have a car accident.”
Herman pursed his lips, lost in thought for a moment. “Whoever did this was not just trying to scare you. He’s obviously prepared
to go a lot further than that.”
to go a lot further than that.”
“I can see that now.” Rose took a deep breath, determination pounding through her with every beat of her heart. “And that does scare me. But if they think they can make me back off, they’re in for a surprise. My daughter and I are alike in that way. We don’t let anyone frighten us away from doing what’s right.”
“I know that,” Herman said slowly, “and so do all
your friends. Whoever did this not only doesn’t know you very well, he has underestimated you badly.”
your friends. Whoever did this not only doesn’t know you very well, he has underestimated you badly.”
Rose looked into the cab through the open doorway.
“It hasn’t even tried to slither out. I think we’re going to have to help it escape.”
“It hasn’t even tried to slither out. I think we’re going to have to help it escape.”
“I’ll go find a long, sturdy branch,” Herman said. “Then I’ll try to pick it up by the middle and lift it down to the ground.”
Herman moved away and started
searching. There weren’t many branches of any length around them, most of the vegetation in that spot being shrubs and grasses.
searching. There weren’t many branches of any length around them, most of the vegetation in that spot being shrubs and grasses.
“Wait,” Rose called out to him. “There should be a spare shovel in the bed of the truck. My daughter always makes me take one along in case I get stuck, and I remember putting it back after I got my truck from the shop.”
Herman nodded, and walked around to the tailgate.
“It’s here.” He climbed up and unfastened the shovel from a small bracket that held it down to the bed with a wing nut.
“It’s here.” He climbed up and unfastened the shovel from a small bracket that held it down to the bed with a wing nut.
“It’s too bad my son isn’t here. He was picking up snakes by their tails when he was ten. He’s never gotten bit either,” Herman said with a laugh, jumping down from the bed with the shovel.
Working carefully, Herman kept the business end of the shovel poised while Rose moved
the lever that allowed the seat to move forward or back. As the seat shifted, the snake, once again feeling threatened, started to coil and rattle furiously.
the lever that allowed the seat to move forward or back. As the seat shifted, the snake, once again feeling threatened, started to coil and rattle furiously.
“Here you go.” Herman slipped the blade of the shovel under the snake, which immediately coiled into a tight spiral on the metal surface. Stepping back, Herman swung the blade around, and moved quickly away from the vehicle across the highway,
which was clear of traffic at the moment. When the snake started to move up the handle, Herman lowered the shovel blade to the ground, dropping the handle and stepping back.
which was clear of traffic at the moment. When the snake started to move up the handle, Herman lowered the shovel blade to the ground, dropping the handle and stepping back.
The shovel bounced slightly, and the snake slipped off onto the ground. Instead of coiling again, it quickly slithered away under a clump of brush.
“Good work!” Rose called from beside the truck as Herman picked up the
shovel and came back across the road.
shovel and came back across the road.
“It’ll go on with its life now, as long as it stays off the highway,” he said.
“Good. Since snakes are related to Thunder and are the earthly form of the Lightning People, harming it in any way would have worsened the drought we’re having.”
“All things are connected. To kill anything without cause is dangerous,” Herman agreed.
“Snakes have to crawl through
hot sand and rocks because they can’t walk, and they will never have possessions of their own. We should be kind to them, otherwise the gods will think we don’t appreciate who we are and all the things we have.”
hot sand and rocks because they can’t walk, and they will never have possessions of their own. We should be kind to them, otherwise the gods will think we don’t appreciate who we are and all the things we have.”
They were on their way down the highway once again after Herman stowed the shovel in the back. “You know, if there was one thing I wish I could make everyone understand, it’s that I’m
fighting for more than the lives of a few of the Plant People,” Rose said. “Everything is part of the whole. If even one of the Plant People moves on, it starts a chain of events. Plant People, like us, depend on each other.” She shook her head and lapsed into a long silence.
fighting for more than the lives of a few of the Plant People,” Rose said. “Everything is part of the whole. If even one of the Plant People moves on, it starts a chain of events. Plant People, like us, depend on each other.” She shook her head and lapsed into a long silence.
Herman never interrupted her thoughts. He was always at ease with her. Rose leaned back in her seat and enjoyed the silence.
When two minds thought alike, there was no need for endless chatter.
When two minds thought alike, there was no need for endless chatter.
Once they reached the roughly hewn canyons between Beclabito and Teec Nos Pos, not having seen Charlie along the entire route from Shiprock, Rose slowed the truck down. They both began watching for his vehicle or tire tracks at places where Charlie might have turned off the highway. After several more minutes had gone by,
Herman spotted a fresh-looking trail leading toward a known collection site. Rose turned the
truck around and followed the tracks, trying to catch a glimpse of Charlie or his truck.
Herman spotted a fresh-looking trail leading toward a known collection site. Rose turned the
truck around and followed the tracks, trying to catch a glimpse of Charlie or his truck.
She wasn’t surprised he’d come here. This was a large area with varied terrain, moisture supplies, and soil types—a region favored by Charlie and others because so many varieties of Plant People grew undisturbed here.
Getting out of the truck when the risk of getting stuck became too great, they searched on foot, looking not only for Charlie and his pickup, but also for important plants. Here, at least, there were no signs of the small pointed shovel that she’d seen at so many other sites closer to Shiprock.
“The Plant People like it here. Smell the fresh blossoms and the scent of sage, pine, and juniper?
Even the plants that we haven’t found anywhere else are thriving in this location,” Rose said softly. “There’s even ‘frog tobacco’ and ‘salt thin.’”
Even the plants that we haven’t found anywhere else are thriving in this location,” Rose said softly. “There’s even ‘frog tobacco’ and ‘salt thin.’”
“I can understand why they live in this place. Things are peaceful and undisturbed here. But something else is troubling you. I can hear it in your voice,” Herman said as he continued along the parallel search he was making about twenty feet to her
left.
left.
She shook her head. Words had power, and she was afraid to speak too soon, but something was wrong here. She could feel it as plainly as she could feel the ground beneath the soles of her feet.
“Look, there’s a pickup over there on the bluff,” Herman said, pointing. “Isn’t that his?”
“It sure looks like it.” She looked completely around in a circle before moving again. “But I don’t see
him anywhere.”
him anywhere.”
“He could be out of sight, farther away from the edge,” Herman suggested.
“That sounds like him. He hates to climb, so he’s either somewhere along the top looking for an easy way to drive down, or he’s gone off in the other direction,” Rose said, trying
to remember all she could about Charlie’s work habits.
to remember all she could about Charlie’s work habits.
They walked along the base of the cliff, trying to spot where Charlie
might have found an easy way down. Finally, Rose stopped and listened for a moment. “I don’t like this. The birds should be flying away from the area our friend is disturbing as he walks, and he loves to whistle little tunes as he works, but there’s only silence out here. Even the birds are quiet.”
might have found an easy way down. Finally, Rose stopped and listened for a moment. “I don’t like this. The birds should be flying away from the area our friend is disturbing as he walks, and he loves to whistle little tunes as he works, but there’s only silence out here. Even the birds are quiet.”
“Are you sure that’s his truck up there? If it is, maybe it broke down and he walked back out to
the highway to hitch a ride.”
the highway to hitch a ride.”
“It’s possible, but I haven’t seen any of his tracks, have you?” Rose asked.
Herman shook his head. “I haven’t seen any human tracks, except ours.”
“He favors thick-soled work boots that give good snake protection. Those leave clear impressions.”
“We’ll just keep searching. He may be beneath that old truck, trying to breathe some life into it. That thing is nearly
as old as I am,” Herman joked. “If he starts it up, we’ll hear it all the way across the valley.”
as old as I am,” Herman joked. “If he starts it up, we’ll hear it all the way across the valley.”
Rose took a deep, steadying breath. “I’m worried. The other day at the hospital I asked him to check on the plant thefts, you see …”
Herman nodded, obviously remembering their recent experience with the rattler, and didn’t press her to say more.
They continued along the bottom of the cliff, but
couldn’t see where anyone might have climbed down. When they got to the spot right below where Charlie’s truck was parked, Rose looked up, then pointed overhead. Two vultures were circling. “I’d have spotted them sooner if I’d been looking up instead of down. They’re after something,” she said, her voice taut.
couldn’t see where anyone might have climbed down. When they got to the spot right below where Charlie’s truck was parked, Rose looked up, then pointed overhead. Two vultures were circling. “I’d have spotted them sooner if I’d been looking up instead of down. They’re after something,” she said, her voice taut.
“Probably a sheep or a cow that wandered off,” Herman said.
“Nobody has grazed their
animals here in a long time. We would have seen their tracks.” Rose shuddered. Like most Navajos, she made it a point to avoid contact with anything that was dead. For courage, she reached into her pocket and grasped her medicine bundle, but still her uneasiness grew.
animals here in a long time. We would have seen their tracks.” Rose shuddered. Like most Navajos, she made it a point to avoid contact with anything that was dead. For courage, she reached into her pocket and grasped her medicine bundle, but still her uneasiness grew.
As they continued along the foot of the cliff, Rose’s uneasiness intensified. Suddenly they both stopped at the same moment. Twenty
feet ahead, lying on the rocks directly below the drop-off, was the broken body of Charlie Dodge.
feet ahead, lying on the rocks directly below the drop-off, was the broken body of Charlie Dodge.
Rose held her breath and stared in horror. There was no doubt that her friend was dead. His limbs were bent at odd, unnatural angles and his head was turned sharply to one side—his neck no doubt broken. Blood stained the rocks and earth around his body. His eyes were staring at nothing, but they
seemed to cut right through her. Rose turned her face away.
seemed to cut right through her. Rose turned her face away.
Herman found his voice after a moment. “We have to go find a telephone now. We need the police … or someone,” he managed.
Rose wanted to speak, but the words were all lodged in her throat.
“He obviously got too close to the edge,” Herman said, looking up.
Rose shook her head, but still couldn’t speak. That wasn’t the explanation for
whatever had happened here. Charlie had had vertigo for as long as she’d known him. There was no way he would have been anywhere near the edge of the cliff.
whatever had happened here. Charlie had had vertigo for as long as she’d known him. There was no way he would have been anywhere near the edge of the cliff.
They’d called the police from a pay phone in Teec Nos Pos outside a gas station, then returned to the area to wait for the officer to arrive. They’d also left a white handkerchief on a stick beside the highway to let the police know where
to turn off the main road.
to turn off the main road.
It was shortly past noon now and the temperature was
climbing steadily, though thunderclouds were starting to appear to the southeast. Uncomfortable sitting in the truck, Rose got out and found a boulder to rest on beneath the shade of the cliff well away from where the body was located. “I’ll want to go up there after the police come,” she said, gesturing to the top
of the cliff.
climbing steadily, though thunderclouds were starting to appear to the southeast. Uncomfortable sitting in the truck, Rose got out and found a boulder to rest on beneath the shade of the cliff well away from where the body was located. “I’ll want to go up there after the police come,” she said, gesturing to the top
of the cliff.
“You mean you want to climb that rock face?”
“We don’t have to climb. We can drive along until we find an easy way up.”
“But why? What do you expect to find up on the cliff or in his truck? Down here is where he … the body … ended up.” Herman stopped talking. He knew, like her, that references to the dead were dangerous, especially in a place where the
chindi,
the evil part of
a person, remained after death.
chindi,
the evil part of
a person, remained after death.
“I have to find out what happened. He was my friend, and part of the reason he was here was because of me. I’d asked him to help me search for the Plant People.”
“You aren’t taking responsibility for this accident, are you?” he asked, surprised. “Surely you realize that whatever happened here had nothing to do with you.”
“I don’t think we know what really happened
here,” she said simply. “Not yet.”
here,” she said simply. “Not yet.”
“So let the police find out,” Herman said.
“I will, but I also need to take a look around myself.”
“Your daughter’s bullheaded stubbornness when she’s working a case has given her an almost legendary reputation. Now I know who she gets that from.”
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