Free Earthway by Aimée Thurlo Page A

can, I’m going to take a look inside Dr. Lee’s office.”
    “Be very careful. They’re bound to have heightened security on campus, especially after yesterday.”
    “I know, and if it turns out to be impossible, I’ll just talk to the other professors and staffand try to find out more about her that way. I’m in the perfect position as the sister of one of the guest speakers.”
    When they arrived at the college, Ella followed Clifford’s directions and parked in the faculty slots beside the administration office—Narbona Hall—named after a Navajo warrior. Inside, Clifford reluctantly picked up a name tag then, together with Ella, joined the small crowdalready gathered in the spacious lobby. Refreshments had been placed buffet-style on a hexagonal table, and Ella suddenly realized she couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten. Almost as if to emphasize it, her stomach growled.
    As Clifford mingled, Ella stopped at the table and picked up one of the small club sandwiches comprised of cheese, bacon, and a delicious, tangy sauce. As she ate,she carefully watched the people there. The administrators had all dressed conservatively in business suits, or long Southwestern-style dresses with silver and turquoise jewelry.
    The faculty, including guest speakers like Clifford, were almost too casual in comparison. Several of the professors wore western-style jeans, boots, and leather vests or jackets. Most had chosen bolo ties. Her brother,with his white headband, colorful western-style shirt, jeans, and his best deerskin moccasins, fit right in.
    Just as Ella turned to track down another sandwich, Dr. Lee, dressed in a black velveteen dress and wearing a multi-strand liquid-silver necklace, entered the room. The middle-aged woman was accompanied by a long-haired Navajo woman in her twenties, wearing a pale-green knit top and multicoloredbroom skirt that nearly reached the floor.
    Dr. Lee quickly worked the room, introducing herself and her young teaching assistant, Mona Tso, to the guest lecturers and full-time staff. As the group of mostly gregarious people continued to mingle, Ella grabbed a cup of punch and retreated to the perimeter, listening and watching from the shadows, but never looking directly at a person long enoughto catch anyone’s eye.
    To Ella’s surprise, Dr. Lee seemed to do the same, taking a few snacks on a paper plate, then stepping out of the way to observe. Her gaze darted around the room, studying faces, listening in on conversations, and occasionally checking her watch. When the professor looked in her direction, Ella always made sure to be seen looking at a painting on the wall or studying oneof the printed bulletins, which listed all the faculty members and guests.
    Time passed, and though the professor still seemed preoccupied, she began smiling more and engaging others in conversation. Ella made it a point to listen to Dr. Lee, but found nothing particularly memorable or noteworthy about her exchanges.
    Ella then turned her attention to the people gathered around her brother, andjoined them for a few minutes. When she looked around again a short time later, Ella realized that Dr. Lee was nowhere in sight.
    Ella excused herself, stepped out into the hallway, and caught a glimpse of Dr. Lee going into an office farther down the hall. Moving as quietly as she knew how, Ella followed. The door had been left wide open, and she listened for the sound of voices, but there wasonly silence.
    Ella edged closer, wondering why Dr. Lee had left the gathering. Boredom was a possibility, but that seemed unlikely. Before she could give it any more thought, Ella heard Dr. Lee call out.
    “Detective, I’m waiting. You have questions, so come on in and we’ll talk.” Dr. Lee poked her head out of the office and met Ella’s surprised gaze. “Do hurry, will you? I haven’t got all night.”

    Ella knew she’d been silent. Even over rough terrain, she could track without making a sound and here,