Free Earthway by Aimée Thurlo Page B

there’d been very little to give her away. She’d greatly underestimated Dr. Lee. When Ella entered the small office she found the professor sitting behind her desk, leaning back on her chair, her hands folded on her lap.
    “About time. Both the Feds and the tribe have been showing a great dealof interest in me lately. So let’s get to it. What’s the problem?”
    Ella wondered if she’d made those assumptions after finding Ford’s listening device, or if she’d had more to go on. “You have a history of demonstrating against the operation and construction of nuclear power plants,” Ella said, not elaborating. Her gaze stayed on Dr. Lee but the woman gave nothing away.
    “And you want to knowif I’ll be a problem once the
Tsétaak’á
Generating Station opens? Is that it?”
    “In a nutshell,” Ella answered, glad to take the direct approach.
    “As I’m sure you already know, I’ve discontinued my efforts to prevent the opening of the Hogback facility.” She met Ella’s gaze and, though it was an atypical response for a Navajo, held it. “I’ve come to realize that other types of influence are moreeffective—and are more long lasting—than demonstrations.”
    “Explain,” Ella prodded when Dr. Lee didn’t elaborate.
    “Women are the real source of power on the reservation.We’re the property owners, and always get custody of the kids. Our primary clan, the one we’re ‘born into,’ is our mother’s. It’s through our women that change—the real kind—will come. That’s why I teach women’s studies thesedays. Influencing those who’ll impact the future, that’s the legacy I want to leave behind.
My
voice won’t prevent future nuclear power plants, but the young women who are in my classes today may someday accomplish that goal.”
    It was a practiced speech. Ella could feel it in her gut. “So you’re no longer interested in stopping the opening of our nuclear facility?”
    “No. This is a fight for thenext generation,” Dr. Lee said. “Does that disappoint you?”
    Ella blinked, surprised by the aggression in her tone. “I’m neither pleased nor disappointed. I’m only after the truth.”
    Ella allowed the silence to stretch out between them for several long minutes. Dr. Lee scarcely moved, her breathing regular and slow. Intuition assured Ella that she, too, was being methodically sized up.
    “What’sfrightening you?” Dr. Lee asked at last, her gaze narrowed. “Has there been another threat against the plant? Are you here to determine if
I’m
involved?”
    “What makes you think anyone has made any threats?” Ella deflected. Dr. Lee’s tactic disturbed her. The activists she’d met in the past had usually been argumentative and highly driven people—warriors of a different kind, anxious to take action.Yet there was a coolness about Dr. Lee that seemed out of character with the radical, outspoken activist her old files claimed her to be. Maybe age
had
mellowed her, or maybe she was just fishing, trying to find out what Ella knew.
    Dr. Lee stood. “I’m here most mornings, teaching, but I have office hours in the afternoons. If I can help you with something, Investigator Clah, don’t hesitate toask,” she said. “You might consider stopping by and acquainting yourselfwith what we have to offer in women’s studies these days. We give the students plenty to think about, and there’s more than enough to satisfy anyone who needs a commitment to a cause.”
    “I didn’t come here tonight only because of you,” Ella said, just to gauge her reaction.
    “I’m sure you didn’t,” Dr. Lee answered with alaugh. “Multitasking is the province of a skilled law enforcement officer.”
    “You say you’re no longer involved with the activists who’ve worked hard to stop the power plant from opening. Does that mean you’ve lost contact with those people?” Ella glanced at Dr. Lee’s desktop computer. “Or do you mean that you only stay in touch via e-mail?” It