Double Down by Paty Jager

Author:Paty Jager
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Female sleuth, disabled veteran, Native American Fiction, Casino murder mystery, Pacific Northwest Mystery, Mystery with a twist, Strong woman
Publisher: Paty Jager
Published: 2022-09-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

After Quinn left and they’d cleaned up the kitchen, Dela climbed into Heath’s truck and they headed over Interstate 84 and deeper into the reservation. Heath said Ruth lived in the Cayuse area. The Cayuse name was given to the people of this area and the horses they rode. It wasn’t the name they called themselves. Wáylatpu is the true name for the Cayuse people. At one time there had been a village in the area where Heath said Ruth lived. Later the village became a town with a post office and store. The town no longer existed but the area remained known by the name Cayuse.

They pulled up to a small house with two barking dogs and three children running after a chicken.

“Are those her children?” Dela asked, thinking the woman was too old to have such young children.

“Her grandchildren.” Heath opened his door but didn’t step out. “This family has lost many to addictions. Her son killed his wife and himself two years ago while high. Ruth is all the children have.”

Dela’s chest squeezed. Her heart ached thinking of what these three must have gone through. “Were they there when it happened?”

“No. They were here. Ruth discovered the bodies when she drove over to see why the parents hadn’t come to pick up the kids.” Heath watched the scurrying boy and two girls. “We have to keep drugs off the reservation. All lives are sacred but especially the children.”

Dela nodded and they both stepped out of the vehicle as Ruth appeared around the side of the house.

The woman raised a hand to shield her eyes as she stared at them.

“Do you think she’ll tell us anything?” Dela whispered as they walked across the scraggly winter-killed lawn.

Heath didn’t answer, he said, “Ruth, we’d like to visit with you if you have a few minutes.”

“Is this official?” she asked.

He motioned to his civilian clothes. “No. We just have some questions.”

“Barry, quit chasing that chicken or she won’t lay an egg for your breakfast,” the woman raised her voice enough to carry to the children and nodded to the house. “We’ll go inside.”

Dela followed the woman, and Heath followed behind, into a house half the size of hers. She wondered where the children slept. Sadness overtook her not seeing any toys or even a television. No wonder the children were chasing the poor chicken.

Ruth led them into a small kitchen with a round table and four chairs. “Have a seat. I have some coffee on.”

They sat and Dela’s gaze traveled around the tidy kitchen. The stove was old. It looked like one that her mom had replaced when Dela lived at home. The sink was enamel with chips and scratches. The refrigerator was newer, but still at least twenty years old. The linoleum on the floor was worn. The dull grain of wood peeked through in several places.

Ruth set the cups in front of them and took a seat. “Are you still trying to find Levi?”

“No, we found him. I’m surprised he didn’t tell you to not talk to us,” Heath said, picking up the mug to take a sip.

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