The Nora Abbott Mystery series Box Set Page 16

  Behind her, the mountain erupted with bursts of flame. Drums pounded and people cheered.

  Nora raced by the lodge. Abigail still hadn’t made it home. Nora didn’t like Abigail being with Barrett, but it beat getting caught in the middle of an incendiary riot. Whatever, Nora couldn’t take care of Abigail tonight.

  “Nora!” Cole’s shout stopped her before she made it to her Jeep. “Thank god you’re okay.” He sat in his Toyota Tacoma pickup, the engine running. “I saw flames and was afraid…”

  She jumped into the pickup and Abbey scrambled in after her. Nora scooted over to share the bucket seat. “Go! Alex has Heather. We need to save her.”

  He backed out of the parking lot. “He has Heather where?”

  “The rez. I don’t know. Somewhere. The lava tube blew and he took Heather.”

  Cole drove down the mountain. “You aren’t making sense. Start from where I left you at the lodge.”

  Nora told him about Big Elk and the explosions and the kachina costume. She explained everything.

  He braked as he pulled into town. “We’re going to go to the police station and tell them what you just told me.”

  Nora shook her head. “No. We should go to the rez. I’m sure that’s where he’ll take Heather.”

  “Which rez?”

  “Hopi!”

  “Do you know which mesa?”

  Nora hadn’t been to the tiny reservation completely surrounded by the Navajo Nation. She didn’t know all the details but the Hopi had been in this part of the country for centuries before the Navajo made their way to the area. The Navajo tribe grew and little by little moved onto traditional Hopi lands. When the United States government, showing their usual even-handed, understanding ways, divided up the area for reservations, they reduced the amount of land the Hopi considered theirs and placed the reservation smack in the middle of the immense Navajo Nation.

  The Hopi lived on in a remote part of the desert on three mesas north of Winslow. About 2 hours drive from Flagstaff.

  Cole pulled into a parking space in front of the police station. “If we don’t get any satisfaction here, I’ll get Benny to help us.”

  Benny? Oh, Cole’s Hopi friend. Okay. She’d give the cops a chance but if they didn’t do something immediately, she and Cole would rush to the rez.

  She didn’t get the action she’d hoped for. Every spare hand patrolled the mountain to create order after the amazing fireworks show. Worse, the cops dragged their feet before even talking to them.

  They took Cole one way and escorted her to a room where they told her as soon as someone was available, they’d take her statement. Hours passed. Twice Nora tried to leave and uniformed officers led her back to the room. As a person of interest in two murders, the cops didn’t feel magnanimous toward her.

  Finally Gary showed up, took notes, told her not to worry and let her go.

  Not to worry that Heather could be injured and in the clutches of a murderer?

  A grumpy cop relented and let her use the office phone to call Abigail. The apartment phone rang uselessly. Nora slammed the receiver down. Her mother wasn’t home.

  Either Abigail held a grudge at Nora for her demolition derby or she experienced a romantic encounter with Barrett that stretched all night. Staying at a hotel to indulge a snit seemed far-fetched, even for Abigail. But Nora couldn’t calculate the cost of therapy to cope with the image of Abigail in Barrett’s bed.

  Where was Abigail? What about Heather? Getting home to a mountain pocked like incinerated Swiss cheese presented a problem. She stepped out of the police station into the inky predawn quiet.

  Cole popped out of his pickup, followed by Abbey. They hurried toward her. “I’m sorry. I had no idea they’d keep you like that.”

  She glared at him, patted Abbey and marched toward his pickup. “Did you find Heather?”

  He shook his shaggy head. “I checked the hospital and she’s not there. I talked to Benny. There’s a public dance out there today at Second Mesa. Alex is supposed to dance so there’s a good chance she’ll be there.”

  Nora opened the passenger door and let Abbey in. What if Heather was hurt in the explosion? “Let’s go to the rez.”

  “You can’t just go out there. There are certain rules.”

  “Like what?”

  “It’s sort of like a church service and you’re supposed to dress nice.”

  “You’re taking me to church?”

  He opened the door and settled in. “I’m taking you home. Benny will help Heather.”

  She jumped into her side. “We’ve got to go out there now. Heather needs us.”

  He started the pickup and maneuvered through the silent town. “Benny has a better chance of getting her home than you or I.”

  Nora argued and reasoned and still Cole held firm. He might be right. Nora wasn’t exactly Heather’s best friend and she’d fight coming home.

  It didn’t matter. The stubborn girl needed someone to help her. The cops didn’t care and if Barrett found out he would crush Heather’s spirit. She might not want the responsibility of Heather, but Nora couldn’t turn away.

  Cole pulled into Kachina’s parking lot. “There is something else.”

  She hated those words and the serious way Cole dropped them.

  “I found out the cops were about to extradite Big Elk to South Dakota when he disappeared.”

  Stupid cops. “Only to reappear on my mountain. What did he do in South Dakota?”

  “His real name is Ernie Finklestein. He’s wanted for a scam that stole the investments of a bunch of retirement home residents. They lost his trail several years ago. Turns out Ernie got a sunburn and changed his name and now he’s into something here.”

  “Aside from destroying my property and threatening my life?” Nora asked.

  Cole nodded. “Looks like he’s importing cheap crap from China to sell as authentic Navajo crafts.”

  “A real hero.” She stared out the window. “Maybe he knows the cops are on to him and after last night’s Bonfire of the Kachinas, he’ll go underground.”

  “He doesn’t strike me as the underground type.” Cole pulled up in Kachina’s parking lot.

  “Don’t worry about us." Abbey scrambled from the cab and Nora followed. She was a few steps up the path when his door slammed. She whirled around. “I can handle it from here.”

  “I’m not leaving you out here alone.”

  Punching him might feel good. Not that he’d blown up the mountain or caused Heather to run away but because of him, she’d lost precious time. “Just leave me alone.”

  He paused. “Have you found out anything new about Scott?”

  Why would he ask unless he wanted to know how close she was to finding out he was the murderer? Except he’d have no possible reason to kill Scott. Unless he felt far more strongly about no snowmaking than he let on. Her suspicion must have scrolled across her face.

  His face hardened. “I’m only trying to help. The key to everything lies with figuring out who killed Scott. Once I know that, this nightmare will be over for you.”

  Which nightmare did he mean? Alex’s hands crushing her larynx? Big Elk blowing up her property? Barrett ruining the mountain? Or Abigail taking up residence in her home? She stomped up the path.

  After a few moments she heard his pickup door open and close. He didn’t start the engine of course.

  Nora slid her hand into her pocket for her key but when she held the knob to insert it, she realized the door was unlocked. She locked it last night. She knew it.

  What to do? Something caught her eye. The screen on the window next to the front door was bent. It looked as though someone peeled it back. The sliding window was open just a crack. Someone had broken into her house. She should run. Cole sat in the lot waiting to rescue her once more.

  Rescue or attack?

  A slight shuffling sounded behind the drawn blinds. Someone was inside!

  Damn it. No more being a victim. She would fight back t
his time. Casting about wildly for a weapon, Nora grabbed an old ski pole she used to shoo raccoons that occasionally climbed the stairs.

  Nora held the pole like a bayonet and reached for the knob. One, two, three….

  With a mighty leap she opened the door, lunged inside and stabbed into the kitchen where she heard the shuffling.

  “For heaven’s sake, Nora! What are you doing?”

  Nora stopped mid-attack, confused. “Mom?”

  “Whom did you expect at this hour?”

  Abbey trotted inside, his tail wagging.

  A silent figure stepped from the hallway. Nora raised the ski pole again, sure this was the intruder who used Abigail as a hostage.

  “Hey, Nora,” Charlie said. He walked from the bathroom.

  Nora lowered the ski pole.

  Abigail tied an apron behind her waist. She opened the refrigerator.

  What the…?

  Charlie fumbled for a chair at the table and her mother banged a fry pan onto the stove.

  Abigail glanced up. “If you’re going to join us for breakfast, at least comb your hair.”

  Nora turned questioning eyes toward Charlie but his head rested on his hands, gazing adoringly at Abigail.

  “What is going on?” Nora managed to ask.

  Abigail didn’t look up from beating the hell out of the eggs. “I refuse to talk to you until you make yourself presentable.”

  “Oh for the love of Pete.” Nora went off to change clothes and brush her teeth.

  Bacon sizzled and coffee dripped, which seemed fairly normal. What made Nora wonder if one of the Hopi warriors had let go of a serpent head and thrown the world off its axis, was the way Abigail sat at the table across from Charlie and spoke in a soft voice.

  Keeping an eye on them, Nora snagged a cup of coffee.

  Abigail turned to her. “Please pick up your feet. Shuffling is low class.”

  The mug warmed Nora’s hands. “Where have you been? Why did you break into my house? What are you doing with Charlie?”

  Abigail raised her eyebrows. “The tables are turned and she’s giving me twenty questions.”

  Charlie looked up at Nora and grinned. “I’ve been taking good care of her.”

  Nora ran a hand through her hair. “Excuse me, Charlie. But you can barely take care of yourself. Why would you overwhelm yourself with Queen Abigail?”

  Her mother giggled. “See?” She said to Charlie. “That’s why I like to be around her. She’s always so witty.”

  “Not witty, Mother. Tired. Worried. Confused. And just a little freaked out.”

  Abigail and Charlie exchanged a look that said “isn’t she cute?” Abigail patted Charlie’s hand and got up to fiddle with the bacon and start the eggs.

  Nora sipped her coffee, trying to clear her head. “I thought maybe you were staying in a motel or something.”

  “Why would I do that?” Abigail poked a strip of bacon with a fork and transferred it to a paper towel-lined plate.

  Her mother practiced her typical form of punishment. She’d force Nora to detail the offense and Abigail would demand an apology.

  Frustrated, Nora took a breath. “I’m sorry I called you a kept woman. I didn’t mean it.”

  Abigail nodded and continued with the sputtering and popping bacon.

  “I’m sorry I ran into Barrett’s bumper and probably ruined your lunch date.”

  Abigail grabbed the eggs and whisk and let them have it again. “You didn’t ruin our date. We had a lovely time.”

  Nora couldn’t fathom what a lovely time with Barrett looked like. Her imagination balked at anything romantic with that man, and thinking of her mother that way was just plain sick.

  “You’re not mad at me?”

  Abigail poured the eggs into the warm pan. “I’m not pleased with your performance. You should see a therapist for your anger issues.”

  Nora looked at Charlie, hoping for some help.

  He dozed, head resting on his hand.

  Nora fortified herself with coffee. “Where have you been and how did you end up with Charlie?”

  Abigail folded the omelet, a skill that impressed Nora. “I was understandably upset when I got back to Mountain Village. Honestly, Nora, you wear me out sometimes.”

  “So what about Charlie?”

  “When Barrett dropped me off I went for a stroll instead of going directly home. I ran into Charlie and he took me for a cocktail at the Tavern.”

  Nora choked on coffee. “You went to the Tavern? With Charlie?”

  Abigail shot her a withering look. “Really, Nora. I’m not an ice queen.”

  Nora tried to keep from laughing. “No, go on.”

  “We had a few drinks and he bought me supper…”

  “At the Tavern? You know they only serve fried food there.”

  “I had a fairly nice salad.”

  “Okay, salad. How did you get from drinks and salad to spending the night with Charlie?”

  Abigail’s eyes blazed. “I DID NOT spend the night with Charlie.”

  Nora grinned. “You’re right. You’re home before dawn.”

  Abigail pulled the skillet from the stove. “Sometimes you’re so crude.”

  “So what happened?”

  “You know I’m not much of a drinker…”

  Nora laughed, “You have a cocktail or two every night.”

  Abigail gave her a warning look. “While we were walking home I felt queasy and Charlie gallantly took me to his cabin. He gave me seltzer and aspirin and I’m afraid I fell asleep.”

  “You passed out at Charlie’s house?” This was getting better and better.

  Abigail slid the omelet onto a plate and picked up a knife. “Would you please try to act like an adult?”

  Nora drank her coffee to hide her amusement. “Sorry. Go on.”

  “That’s all. There’s nothing more. I woke up, Charlie walked me home, and I promised him breakfast.”

  Nora followed Abigail as she carried the plates to the table and set one down in front of Charlie.

  He opened his eyes and smiled at Abigail. “This looks perfect.”

  Abigail sat. “You need some companionship, Nora. Charlie and I think you should start seeing Cole Huntsman.”

  Nora nearly spit her coffee. “Good idea. It will make it easier for him to kill me.”

  Abigail laughed.

  “You agreed with this?” Nora asked Charlie.

  Charlie smacked his lips, loving the omelet. “He’s a fine man.”

  “Well, if you love him so much, why not take him a cup of coffee to make stalking me more comfortable for him.”

  “What do you mean?” Abigail said.

  “He’s sitting in the parking lot right now making sure I don’t get away.”

  Abigail smiled. “That’s so sweet.”

  Nora wanted to go to bed forever. She glared at Charlie. “You approve of what he does for a living?”

  Charlie sat back and patted his belly. “Nuclear is cleaner and more efficient than coal but I don’t think they need to gut the Grand Canyon for uranium. But Cole’s a good man and he’s working on other things. ”

  “What else? Murder?”

  Abigail set down her coffee cup. “Really, Nora. You should get more rest. You sound confused.”

  Charlie stuffed a giant bite in his mouth and closed his eyes in ecstasy. Or was he hiding something about Cole?

  When he swallowed and opened his eyes, he saw her staring at him. “You ought to get that front window fixed,” Charlie said.

  “I’ll get to it later.” She sipped her coffee. “Did you rip the screen or just bend it.”

  Abigail got up for more coffee.

  “Why didn’t you use your key?” Nora asked.

  Abigail filled Charlie’s cup and gave Nora a puzzled look. “I did.”

  Nora reached for a piece of bacon from Abigail’s plate and received a slap for her effort. “If it was so easy for you guys to break in maybe I ought to put bars on it.”


  Abigail’s head snapped up. “We didn’t break in, Nora. I told you, I used my key.”

  27

  She left Charlie to repair the window and as soon as Cole drove away and Abigail turned her head, she jumped in the Jeep and started for the rez. Maybe Cole could sit around and wait for his friend to intercede but Nora needed to help Heather and do something to stop Alex before he broke into their home again. This time, when they were home and ripe for murder.

  Nora traveled as fast as she dared the nearly seventy miles to Winslow. She turned off the Interstate onto a two-lane paved road and pushed the accelerator even more, the bumps and swells of the poorly maintained surface creating a sway like a sailboat. The sign to Second Mesa said sixty miles on a road that ran straight to the horizon.

  She headed toward the three Hopi mesas, each with some villages. Nora had heard that Old Oraibi, on Third Mesa, was the oldest constantly inhabited village in North America. Cole said today’s dance took place on Second Mesa.

  Poor farms and ranches of the Navajo Nation dotted the roadsides miles apart, each compound with a hogan.

  After what seemed like five hundred miles, the road ended with a T. On the right, a mesa rose and Nora barely detected the symmetrical lines of structures on the flat surface above her. The buildings blended with the yellow dirt of the desert, effectively camouflaging the town. A sign pointed left to Second Mesa. She passed a large, new school and turned right on a road leading up the side of Second Mesa. Around a switchback the road tilted sharply upward. It continued to get steeper with two more switchbacks. Shanties and worn buildings with signs identifying them as tribal and U.S. government and health facilities squatted alongside the road.

  The third switchback, about halfway up the mesa, brought her to a stretch of road occupied with cars, people and several card tables set up under bright awnings. The tables displayed food and crafts.

  Whatever Nora expected of the ancient village, the truth disappointed her. The settlement looked like a third world country. Dirt dominated everything. Yellow dust covered the paved strip of road, which broke off in uneven edges and dropped to windblown dirt shoulders. Houses made of cinder block, rock, and cobbled-together materials clung to the bare dirt hillside.