Aimée Thurlo - Restless Wind

Dana sat back, rethinking her approach. She was missing something crucial. If this was intended for the use of whomever was scheduled to be at the house-in this case, Ranger Blueeyes-the password would be reset just for them. Her fingers flew over the keyboard as she typed in the name Blueeyes. After a short pause and a faint whirr from the hard drive, a new screen came up with the options to either log on to the Internet or search the files.

She decided to search the text and database files first. She soon discovered that the information seemed to focus on the Navajo tribe and was geared for use by a Navajo police officer.

Fortunately for her, she also wanted to know about Navajos-mostly one in particular, Hastiin Dííl. There were reports on various issues the tribe was facing, but nothing that concerned or pertained to a Hastiin Dííl, or anyone named Daniel Runningbear.

Without another option, she decided to go on the Internet next. She could access more phone book listings from there. Using the phone itself would be too risky now. She logged on and, fortunately for her, the passwords for access had been stored in memory, so she didn’t have to try to guess her way any further.

She started to type out Hastiin Dííl’s Anglo name, then stopped. This software usually stored a record of search words and sites visited, and she didn’t remember how to disable or erase that information. Not wanting to leave a trail, she decided an indirect search was best.

Dana typed out the words Navajo medicine men. Hastiin Sani had been a medicine man, and men in his profession were highly regarded. It stood to reason that his successor in the Brotherhood of Warriors might be a medicine man, too. For all she knew, being a medicine man was one of the requirements for leadership.

Her search was slow and time-consuming, but she kept at it, intent on finding something that would lead her to Hastiin Dííl. She found a wealth of information about medicine men in general, but nothing specific. If there was a listing for medicine men anywhere, like physicians in the phone book, she couldn’t find it.

Dana was about to give up when she found a link to an article about medicine hogans. She went to the site and read the piece, written by an anthropologist, who explained their different construction, like the fact that they were larger than other hogans and had no stovepipe in the center.

She also learned that medicine men usually frequented trading posts in traditionalist areas where their services were in high demand. These trading posts were also known to carry the materials the medicine men needed for the various kinds of Sings.

Unfortunately, this didn’t get her any closer to Hastiin Dííl, though the site’s map clearly delineated the more traditionalist sections of the rez. The problem was that the reservation itself was as large as several eastern states.

Dana sat back, lost in thought. She needed to nail down a smaller search grid. Assuming that the medicine man lived close to the Four Corners, maybe she could start by finding out more about the last Blessingway done in their area. If Hastiin Dííl’s name was mentioned, that might at least confirm that she was right in looking for a Singer.

Such events were often reported in the tribal newspaper. Dana was typing in the name of the newspaper when she heard footsteps down the hall and realized Ranger had woken up.

Moving with lightning speed, she shut down the computer and put it back where she’d found it. Then, spotting a book placed end out farther down on the bookshelf, she pulled it out and ran to the couch.

She was sitting back, pretending to be reading, when he sauntered in.

Ranger came in barefooted and bare-chested, wearing low-slung jeans. He looked completely relaxed and as drop-dead gorgeous as ever.

“You didn’t sleep long,” she said casually.

“I got nearly four hours,” he said with a shrug. “That’s all I need.”

Dana looked at the clock in surprise. As it usually was whenever she was immersed in something, she’d lost all track of time.

“What you been up to?”

She shrugged. “I watched a little TV, then I decided to do a little light reading.”

He picked up the book she held. “‘Medicine Men, A Navajo Perspective.’ That doesn’t seem like light reading to me.”

It took everything in her not to react. She’d only given the shelves a cursory look after seeing mostly a collection of popular fiction. Yet it was entirely possible that the information she’d tried so hard to find was sitting on her lap.

“I’m interested in all kinds of things,” she replied, hoping it didn’t sound as lame to him as it had to her.

He went to the laptop computer and, touching it, glanced back at her. “Still warm. This computer’s encrypted. Did you try to get online?”

“Yeah, but the password got in the way.”

He studied her expression for a moment, probably just to see if she squirmed, then picked up the laptop and carried it over to the coffee table. He sat down in nearly the same spot she’d chosen.

Ranger typed in a password and then another that took him to a screen she hadn’t seen before. After two more passwords that appeared as asterisks on the screen, he reached a very official-looking government site. It was blue, with a gold emblem and shield in the center, and she thought it might have been the FBI’s Web page. She moved closer to confirm, but he’d already reached yet another screen requesting a password.

“What are you doing?”

“Some creative information-gathering,” he said.

“By hacking into…what, an FBI site?”

“I assume you referring to my status as a ‘Full Blooded Indian,’” he answered. “Let’s see what’s new on the kidnapping suspects.” He paused for a minute, reading what was on the screen, then continued. “The body they took from the cabin is still being processed at the Albuquerque OMI’s office. They’re checking dental records. Since the victim was wearing a Four Corners area high school ring, that should speed up the ID process.”

Hearing several rapid beeping tones, he suddenly disconnected.

“What happened?” she asked.

“I had to log off. I got access through a site that spoofs my Internet address, but they have new software that can eventually backtrack to this location. If I’d stayed on, they would have had me.”

“Looks like you’ve learned to cut some corners,” she said. “So, assuming we aren’t raided by the feds anytime soon, what’s next on our schedule?”

“We lay low. The police advised me to keep you under wraps,” he said.

She shook her head. “Bad idea. Growing up with my mom, I learned a lot about survival. The first rule is never wait around for others to do something on your behalf. That’s a good way to become a victim.”

Ranger gazed at her for a long time, then finally replied, “I understand what you’re saying but, in this case, you do have someone working on your behalf. Going proactive now will only put you in the line of fire.”

“I’m already there. I’m the only one who can make a positive ID and the police still haven’t arrested any of the kidnappers.”

Ranger took a deep, slow breath. “Putting myself in Ignacio Trujillo’s head, I’ve come up with an interesting theory. Want to hear it?” Seeing her nod, he continued. “Now that Ernesto’s dead, Ignacio will want to take over his brother’s business. But until he proves himself by avenging Ernesto, he won’t be able to command any respect. He has to succeed or he’s nowhere. This is more than a personal vendetta, so don’t underestimate the threat he still poses to you.”

“That only emphasizes the point I was trying to make. I’m in his sights no matter what I do. And after he gets the information he thinks I might have, I’ll be of no further use to him.”