Page 13 of Arresting the Warlord

“Why don’t you use that talent to figure out what kind of alien is killing people and how to stop it,” I snapped.

He straightened. “I’m Zarek’s top investigator and he sent me here to find out what the Navajo people are hiding.”

“I don’t have time for your stupid games. I have a serial killer to find and stop. Now get the fuck out of my way.”

“I’m not going anywhere, buttercup.”

Other than critiquing my techniques, the Jackass didn’t lift a finger to help me process the crime scene.

A sleek black shuttle landed two hundred yards away from the crime scene. A brawny Coletti warrior hurried down the ramp with a funky looking gurney.

“Don’t forget to photograph the intestines hanging from the tree,” Jake commanded and hurried over to the warrior.

What a bossy prick. While General Jones and Jake spoke with the warrior, I headed over to my father.

A frown knotted his forehead. “What’s wrong?”

I pulled out the evidence bag with the bracelet. “It’s Dezba’s.”

The color drained from my father’s face. “You think she did this?”

“The dark magic does call to her. I spoke with the victim and she described the suspect’s vehicle as a blue van. She said an older Navajo woman was driving the car.”

“No. Dezba wouldn’t do this,” Father said emphatically.

“I hope not, but we need to check her hogan. Any idea on how to ditch the warlords?”

Father nodded. “We have a Blessingways ceremony to attend.”

Chapter Three

Jake snorted. “A holy ritual. What a load of crap.”

“The Blessingways ceremony is not a load of crap. It’s used to restore equilibrium to our lands and invoke positive blessings. The event is sacred and private. No Coletti warlords are allowed,” I retorted.

Jake narrowed his eyes in a hard, studying look. “It’s an excuse to ditch us.”

“Our lands have been desecrated and balance must be restored,” Father replied.

I added, “It’s in our treaty. I suggest you read it.”

“CeeCee’s correct. We aren’t allowed to interfere with their ceremonies,” General Jones said.

Every inch a Council Elder, Father stated, “Officers Yellowhorse and Begay will stay and assist you. Now, if you will excuse us, we must leave.”

As we walked away, I gave Jake the one-fingered-salute.

“If you run, I will find you,”he growled in my head.

“I took an oath to protect my people and I intend to honor it. So, back the hell off.”

“You have three hours. Not a minute longer.”

“I suggest you use that time to read the damn treaty,”I snapped, and literally had to climb up to the driver’s seat of Yellowhorse’s official high-rider truck.

My father slid into the passenger seat and began chanting softly in Navajo. None of the superior Coletti Empire’s technology could penetrate one of his cloaking spells.

Jake held up three fingers as I drove by him.

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