Free Ghost Medicine by Aimée and David Thurlo Page A

grandson and I went shopping in Farmington, then stopped on the way back at the new grocery store in Shiprock. They had a sale on bread and Spam,” she said. “My grandson enjoys these day trips as much as I do now. He’s been lonely since his wife left to help her mother over by Window Rock. The woman had a stroke and needs extra help right now.”
    “Your grandson, you meanthe one who lives close by?” Ella asked, trying to avoid saying his name aloud.
    She nodded. “He runs a café in Beclabito, so he usually isn’t home until late except on Tuesday, his day off. He’s a good boy, always watching out for his shimasání, ” she said, using the Navajo word for “grandmother.”
    “I’ve been told that he’s had some problems with your neighbor to the north,” Ella said. “The teacher.”

    “If you ask me, that young man’s just looking for trouble to give himself something to do. I told my grandson to stay away from him,” she said, neither confirming nor denying.
    “Have you or your grandson had any problems with your other neighbors?” Justine asked.
    “No, but everyone’s scared. It’s very dangerous here now,” she said in a whisper.
    Ella could see the .30-.30 Winchester standing inthe corner of the room behind the door. It was probably loaded. “Dangerous how? Tell me,” Ella said, and reached into her jacket pocket, bringing out her beaded medicine pouch. The sight of it seemed to allay the woman’s fears somewhat. “It’s okay to talk about it, aunt. We’ve got the right medicine.” Ella gave Justine a nod, and her partner brought out her own bag.
    “Deerskin, with beaded trim,just like mine,” Mrs. Yazzie observed. “You must know the hataalii who lives just west of the Gallup highway.”
    “He’s my brother,” Ella said, and smiled.
    “And my second cousin,” Justine added.
    “Tell us about the troublemakers in this area,” Ella insisted gently. “Do you think they might be responsible for what happened to the man in the pickup?”
    She expelled her breath in a soft hiss. “Theevil ones cause problems for everyone. That’s why I tried to contact the hataalii again today. I want him to give my home some extra protection.”
    “My brother took his family to their sheep camp up by Red Rock, so his son can learn how to care for their livestock. He should be back in a day or two.”
    “I don’t want to wait that long. I’ll try to get the Singer from Cudei to come over,” Mrs. Yazziesaid, then looked toward the kitchen. “I have to tend to my stew. Do you need something else?”
    Ella sensed that finding out Clifford wouldn’t be readily available had frightened her. Pressing Mrs. Yazzie now wouldn’t get them anywhere. She was too on edge already. “I’ll leave my phone number here on the table,” Ella said, placing a business card by the base of the lamp. “Call if you have anyproblems we can help you with, or if you remember anything that might help us solve the crime.”
    The woman nodded, but didn’t speak.
    Ella glanced at Justine, who recognized the signal and walked toward the door. Ella followed.
    Mrs. Yazzie remained silent, but accompanied them to the porch, then closed and locked the door as soon as they were outside.
    “She’s really frightened,” Justine saidas they reached the SUV. “Do you think she knows more than she’s telling us?”
    “Maybe.” As Justine drove back toward the road, Ella looked in the rearview mirror. Mrs. Yazzie was still watching them from the window. “My gut tells me that she’s convinced skinwalkers are responsible, but she’s afraid to point fingers and have them chopped off—or worse.”
    “She’s an old school Navajo,” Justine said.“If someone tries to give her a hard time, or she thinks she’s being witched, she’ll take her rifle to them.”
    “That’s what worries me,” Ella said. “We need to speak to her grandson, Norman Yazzie, but if the schedule we got is right, he won’t be home now.