Indian School Days (6th in the Charles Bloom Murder Mystery Series) by Mark Sublette

Author:Mark Sublette [Sublette, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Murder Mystery Fiction
ISBN: 978-0-9998176-0-5
Publisher: Mark Sublette
Published: 2018-05-24T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 26

THE BIG TRADE

Rachael was amazed at the amount of detritus five hundred Navajo could leave in one day—not that the after-party mess was unexpected. Bloom, Rachael, and Ruth all were on trash duty starting at 8:30 a.m. Half of the pumpkins were gone and only a few of those remaining were still intact. Candy wrappers floated in the wind until they caught on juniper branches; the nearby trees now looked as if they were in some weird winter bloom, with their flowers—of course—all above human reach.

The half-eaten hamburgers, bits of hot dogs and mushy buns scattered around the grounds were being devoured by the hungry rez dogs that had found their way to the post from the surrounding houses—and the occasional “CAH” reverberated as the ravens swooped in to get their fair share. The post’s resident cat was so full of leftovers that she could barely stand; sprawled on the porch, she ignored the pesky canine and avian visitors altogether.

“Another successful party,” Bloom thought as he looked out at the work awaiting his attention.

By 10 a.m. the trio was making serious headway. Ruth seemed to be enjoying the process of picking up trash and organizing the garbage into piles. Bloom was sure he could keep Ruth employed if she wanted a job, which would also help relations with Mrs. Bennally, the Bloom family’s unpaid babysitter and longtime Yellowhorse neighbor.

Bloom knew Ruth had some emotional issues and didn’t form relationships with men easily. She was past forty and had never been married, but she was a good worker and smart enough to be an asset to the post. Rachael had expressed some concerns as Ruth had a tendency to spend money that came her way on bootleg liquor, purchased from individuals she didn’t want around, but she was willing to give Ruth a chance if she could stay sober.

Marvin was usually at the post by 9:30 a.m. and today Bloom was waiting anxiously for his grand prizewinner to make an appearance for ice cream and small talk, but the Navajo was a no-show. Bloom didn’t want to admit that he was worried, but he did understand that Marvin had a life of his own—even if it was one that revolved around the trading post.

“He probably went to show all his friends his necklace,” Bloom said to Ruth, who didn’t seem the least bit concerned.

“Maybe he overate and slept in,” Bloom hypothesized, knowing this explanation was far-fetched.

Rachael, who was tying up the last sack of trash, recognized her husband’s concern. “Bloom,” she said, “if you’re worried, drive down and check his hogan. I’m sure he’s fine, but if it makes you feel better I’ll watch the post.” Bloom considered this option, and decided not to be Marvin’s keeper.

“No, he’s a grown man and I’m not his dad. Marvin will show up when he wants to. If he hasn’t come around in a couple of days I’ll go check his place out,” Bloom said, trying to convince himself that Marvin’s business was his own and that he shouldn’t care that much.

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