Aimée Thurlo - Restless Wind

He ran his hand over the sturdy wooden posts. “This type of hogan is called the Forked Together House. It’s the result of lessons given to us by Talking God, the greatest of all Navajo gods.”

Dana looked around. The floor of the hogan had been dug out a foot or more, leaving a bench near the wall that could also serve for storage. Everything had a simple beauty that spoke of decades long past. The blankets on the ground were frayed, but she could see the grandeur they’d once held.

“You or your brother must come out here every once in a while to maintain the place. There are no weeds, leaves, or any sign of four-footed ‘visitors’.”

“We take turns. I checked the place out last month.”

He spread their blanket on the ground, lay down, then stretched out his arms to receive her. “You can rest against me. My shoulder will be your pillow.”

“There was a time when I couldn’t go to sleep unless I was safe at home,” she murmured, settling against him, then drifting off.

“You’ve found a new one, sawe,” he said, using the Navajo word for sweetheart, “in my arms.”

DANA SENSED Ranger’s absence even before she’d opened her eyes. Sunlight was filtering past the worn blanket that served as a door as she sat up. Realizing she was alone in the cold hogan, fear gripped her.

Then she heard Ranger’s rich baritone voice nearby, rising in a haunting chant that spoke of history and the wisdom of the ages. Moving quietly as to not disturb him, she went outside and saw him open his jish, take a pinch of pollen out, touch it to the tip of his tongue, then throw it upward toward the heavens.

Although she hadn’t made a sound, he’d sensed her presence. “Did I wake you?” he asked, turning to face her.

Only by not being there. But she kept that answer to herself. “That was a beautiful chant,” she said.

“It’s a Hozonji, a song of blessing,” he answered, then wanting her to understand him, added, “When you take care of what’s most important first, other things eventually fall into place.”

Dana nodded in silent agreement. Ranger’s strength came from more than his toned body, training and intelligence. His beliefs made him the man he was.

She followed him back inside the hogan and helped him gather their things. “Do you think your friend will get back to us today with the rest of the information we need?”

He nodded. “I’m almost certain of it.”

“We should try to eat along the way,” she said as they got underway, circling around toward the highway.

“There’ll be people selling naniscaada sandwiches, made with homemade tortillas or fry bread, out of the back of their trucks between here and Shiprock. That’s the best rez food there is.”

THEY’D JUST REACHED the highway when his cell phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, he put the phone on speaker. “Good morning, Maria,” he said.

“I have the address. 222 Canyon Way in Bloomfield. When I accessed the address of the registered pet owner, the software also listed a complaint filed just yesterday. Two vicious dogs have allegedly been harassing children through the bars of the front gate. Animal control is scheduled to make a visit this afternoon to check it out.”

“That’s his main address,” Ranger said, surprised. “ Trujillo owns several properties and he’s been moving around. That’s why the FBI hasn’t been able to zero in on him. But it sure sounds like he’s back there now. Any chance of you asking animal control to hold off on their investigation until tomorrow?”

“Do I want to know why?”

“Not really.”

“No surprise. I’ll make the request, but no guarantees.”

“I understand. And, Maria, thanks again.”

“Remember, you owe me.”

“I will, and thanks,” he said, hanging up and looking over at Dana. “ Trujillo will undoubtedly move on after a visit from animal control, so we need to get over there as soon as possible and reconnoiter,” Ranger said. “Maybe we can find a way to put your plan in motion.”

“Food first,” Dana said as her stomach rumbled loudly.

He chuckled. “Good idea. Otherwise, your stomach will give us away for sure.”

RANGER LAY FLAT on his stomach, surveying the gated mansion from the adjacent hillside. Two Doberman pinschers had been given free run of the grounds, and they made frequent stops at the gate to sniff and posture. Ranger handed the binoculars to Dana so she could take a look, then called his brother.

Ranger gave Hunter a quick rundown. “I’m planning on taking a clandestine tour. Is there any intel we can get on the house, or maybe on Trujillo ’s habits? We’re looking for a stash of cash he’d keep nearby.”

“I can get you the plans to the house in a short time, but as far as his habits…that might take some time.”

“That could be a problem. Our man’s scheduled for a visit from animal control. Once they come by, he’ll probably pick up stakes and move on.”

“Hang tight. I’ll see what I can do,” Hunter answered.

They waited for over thirty minutes and Ranger used the time to maintain surveillance on Trujillo ’s estate. He needed to get a feel for the place and its rhythms.

When his phone rang, Ranger was ready.

“I’ve got some intel,” Hunter said. “About four months ago, Ignacio accused his housekeeper of stealing and fired her. But as it turns out, her cousin’s one of ours. According to what she told him, Ignacio has a safe in each of his homes, every one of them behind paintings above the bedroom dressers.”

“Got it. Thanks.”

“But she also said that every house is full of alarms.”

“I’ll be on the lookout.”

“We’ll set up a watch on the place. That way if he bolts we’ll still be right on his tail,” Hunter said.

After Ranger hung up, Dana glanced over at him. “We’re going to need a really good plan to get into that house. I don’t want to be a hot lunch for those guard dogs.”

“Don’t worry about them. I’ve got that covered. My Shicheii taught me something that’ll take care of that problem without harming the animals.”

KNOWING THAT GETTING on Trujillo ’s property would be tricky, Dana had insisted on a diversion. Ranger had heard her out and agreed on her plan.

On schedule, Dana called Agent Harris and let him know where Trujillo was. Then, before he could inundate her with questions, she hung up.

“You were right. He already knew about this place,” she told Ranger. “He asked me how we’d found this address even before I’d finished giving it to him. But if Harris was waiting for Trujillo to make a move before closing in on him, we’ve now forced the agent’s hand.”

They didn’t have to wait long before Agent Harris and two county deputies came to pay Trujillo a visit.

“They’re all in the front room,” Ranger said, looking through the binoculars. “One of Trujillo ’s men is watching the front gate, but we can bypass him altogether if we climb the adobe wall out back.”

“And lower ourselves into the jaws of his killer dogs…”

“Don’t worry. I told you, I’ve got that covered. Just stay behind me,” he said.

“Count on it,” she answered with a hesitant smile.

“Our biggest problem once we’re inside will be bypassing the alarms. Whatever you do, don’t touch anything.”

“I’ve got a good eye for detail. If I spot anything, I’ll give you a heads-up. I just wish we weren’t doing this in broad daylight.”

“That’s going to work in our favor. No one will expect a break-in now, especially while the FBI and police are inside. And the fact that someone’s at home means the internal motion sensors will probably be turned off.”

They stopped by his truck and Ranger picked up a small backpack.