Page 18

The chill night air cut through his bare chest. Still, he lingered.
He could stay. One more night. Just long enough to be sure.
But the thought was dangerous—his training, his instincts on overdrive from the events of the night.
He shoved it down hard and forced his feet toward Zach’s white Tahoe, marked with the yellow and green emblem of the Navajo Nation Police.
Khaki colored cotton hit him in the face.
“Put that on,” Zach muttered as he slid behind the wheel.
Caleb sniffed. “Is it clean?”
“Beggars can’t be choosers,” Zach growled. “Yes, it’s clean.”
Caleb pulled the shirt over his head, wincing at the snap of pain in his shoulder. “Thanks.”
Silence stretched until Zach turned onto the highway.
“Lucky you were in the right place at the right time.” Accusation clung to Zach’s words.
Caleb bristled, then let it go. “What do you know about Gia?”
“She doesn’t talk about herself.”
“What about her ex?”
“Nothing.” Zach cut his eyes in Caleb’s direction. “She’s been here six weeks. Grandfather met with her. Whatever she said satisfied him, so I didn’t probe further. He helped her get a twelve-week contract job ata clinic that’s short-staffed. Found her housing. She rarely leaves the rez.”
“Whoever this asshole is, he found her anyway. His errand boys drove an SUV with Arizona plates. Think he’s local?”
Zach shook his head. “Her car had a temporary Arizona plate when she arrived. All she’ll say is she’s from the East Coast.”
“We need his name. My colleague can run a background check.”
“I’ll ask her. Maybe with what happened tonight, she’ll be more forthcoming.” Zach pointed to his badge. “And I can run a check.”
He pulled into Lucero’s. The neon open sign was no longer lit, the building dark. Only Caleb’s rental remained in the lot.
Caleb climbed out of the Tahoe. Something else occurred to him. “What’s Gia’s last name?” She hadn’t offered it up when he asked.
Zach’s eyes narrowed. “If she didn’t tell you, why is it your concern?”
“She’s not safe here anymore.”
“She’s also not your problem. I’ll take care of her. See you at youramá’s ceremony tomorrow.”
Caleb blinked. “You’re coming?”
A shrug. “Shinálíexpects it.”
When your grandfather was president, his word was law, apparently
The Tahoe’s tires spit gravel as Zach sped off.
The temperature had dropped some more. Caleb’s breath billowed out white as he made his way to the Jeep. He shrugged into his black leather jacket, then removed his Glock 19 from its case and set it on the passenger seat. His shoulder burned and his body ached from the blows the younger thug had landed.
He’d been planning to spend the night at a hotel in Gallup. Instead, he retraced the route back to Window Rock. The funeral and burial would be held on the rez, so he might as well spend the night there.