Free Coyote's Wife by Aimée Thurlo Page A

budget increase. Then I got a call from the tribal president demanding we give anything associated with StarTalk top priority. He, like others, is afraid that unless we get things under control—immediately—StarTalk could suffer.”
    “We’ll do our best, chief,” Ella said.
    “Stay active on the Charley death, but concentrateyour main efforts on Benally and the incidents surrounding him. It may be that we’ve got a bunch of low-rent hoods out to stir up trouble. If that’s the case, shut them down fast,” Big Ed said.
    “Understood,” Ella said, then motioned for her team to follow her.
    They met in Ella’s office minutes later. Joe Neskahi closed the door behind them and took a seat to the side of Ella’s desk.
    “Joe, youspoke to the people present at the chapter house meeting after I left, but I haven’t seen your report yet. I know about your conversation with the Benallys, but did you get any leads from anyone else that we can follow up?”
    “
Hosteen
Nez didn’t know anything specific, but news of the problems at StarTalk has already spread. Word has it that Ervin’s starting to get worried. He’s convinced thata traditionalist group of radicals is responsible, like with the nuclear power plant. He’s afraid of them and what they may be ultimately capable of doing,” Joe said.
    “I thought that the traditionalists had voiced their concerns when the satellite telephone proposal first came before the council,” Justine said.
    “It was all vetted out. The traditionalists on the council were happy when they learnednone of the sacred sites were going to be affected. Everything is
way
above ground except for the actual phone units, and they’re only out when in use. You’ve seen how small they are,” Ella replied, “not much bigger than the original cell phones. But follow up on it anyway, Joe, and see if you can get anything more.”
    Ella turned to Officer Tache. “Ralph, go with Joe and help out. You’re withme,” Ella said to Justine. “We’ll interview company employees and any ex-employees. Although it seems like a long shot, we need to find out once and for allif there’s any possible connection between George’s death and what’s happening to Ervin.”
    Once the two men on their team left, Justine turned to Ella. “Something else is bugging you, boss. Is it Roxanne, or this case?”
    “Both.” It didn’tsurprise her to see how well attuned Justine was to her moods. They’d known each other all their lives, and had worked together for the past ten.
    “I’m still pressing for info on Roxanne,” Justine said. “I asked people I trust, but what I’ve found out is
very
second hand. You still want to know?”
    “Yeah. Fill me in on our way to StarTalk. Let’s get moving.”

SIX

    Moments later, after getting the address of the StarTalk offices, they were on the road, Justine behind the wheel.
    “Tell me about Roxanne,” Ella said.
    “Turns out she was with the department for three and a half years, two of those working out of Window Rock. She was constantly getting in trouble because she was overly aggressive and couldn’t follow orders.Then she was transferred here. She was partnered with Henry Tso and developed a crush on the guy.”
    Ella gave her a puzzled look. “Am I thinking of the right Henry? Short, very chunky—stubby arms and legs. He’s constantly knocking things over when he comes into the station. He’s married, too. Am I right?”
    “That’s him. And, yeah, he’s married, and faithful, too, near as anyone can tell. But here’sthe deal. He’s kind to almost anyone and, from what I hear, Roxanne took that to heart. When he requested a new partner, she stalked him—I mean seriously. She also tried to scare off Henry’s wife. That’s when Henry went straight through the roof. He reported her to the watch commander and filed a formal complaint. I’mnot sure what happened next, but Big Ed got involved and the problem went away.”

    “Is that when