The Bible Seller: A Navajo Nation Mystery by R. Allen Chappell

Author:R. Allen Chappell [Chappell, R. Allen]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2017-07-17T00:00:00+00:00

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Alfred’s old pickup truck was pulled right up to the door which now stood ajar. Charlie sounded relieved, “Well at least it looks like Alfred might be at home.” Then shook his head, “Doesn’t anyone up here ever lock their doors? Alfred, apparently, doesn’t even shut his.” He smiled. “I guess that’s because neither one of them has anything worth stealing and everyone knows it.”

Thomas, however, wasn’t smiling when he pushed the door open and saw Alfred lying in the middle of the room covered in blood. The couch behind him and even the walls were speckled with gore. Both men immediately thought Harley’s neighbor was dead. This caused Thomas to back up a step, and look cautiously around the room, possibly fearing the man’s chindi could already be hanging around ready to pounce on some unsuspecting innocent.

Charlie edged past the tall Diné and stood staring at Alfred Nakii––immobilized by the pitiful sight of a once so familiar person. As he studied the motionless form he thought he detected the flutter of an eyelid and immediately jerked his head toward Thomas. “I think he may still be alive.”

The tribal investigator quickly sank to one knee and first tried whispering, but when there was no response, raised his voice. “Alfred, can you hear me?” He put his ear so close it nearly touched the man’s swollen lips and asked yet again. Putting a finger on his neck, Charlie thought he detected the vestige of a pulse. “Thomas, get him some water and put something under his head.” Charlie was already on his way out the door to the truck and two-way radio. They were high enough here, and close enough to town, that he felt sure he could reach tribal police for an ambulance. Still, he held out very little hope for poor Alfred Nakii. Whoever did this had left him for dead––and Charlie thought this might yet be the case––should help not arrive quickly.

When Charlie returned, Thomas had a sofa pillow under Alfred’s head and was holding a cup of water to his lips. “He’s trying to say something, but I can’t quite make it out. He’s a tough bastard, Charlie, but he’s taken a hell of a beating. If they get someone out here fast enough, though, I think there’s still a chance he might make it.” He turned his head toward the investigator. “Do you think this has anything to do with Harley and that woman?”

The investigator watched silently from the door; the thought had already occurred to him. This beating of Alfred Nakii was more than likely connected to the disappearance of their friend Harley Ponyboy and this mystery woman.

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