Before Sunrise by Diana Palmer Read Free Book Online Page B

actually sound poetic,” she pointed out.
    He shrugged. “I’m part Cherokee. Remember, we’re not just ‘the people,’ we’re, ‘principal people’ in our own tongue.”
    Every tribe was “the people” in its own language, she recalled, except for the Cherokee, who called themselves “principal people.” They were an elegant, intelligent people who had their own written language long before other tribes.
    â€œNo argument?” he asked.
    She held up a hand. “I never argue with the law.”
    â€œGood thinking,” he stated, straightening so that his close-fitting uniform outlined his powerful body.
    Before she could reply, the sound of a loud muffler caught their attention. Marie pulled into the parking lot in her old truck, which was pouring smoke from the tailpipe. She cut off the engine and it made a loud popping sound.
    Diverted, Drake went to it at once, motioning for Marie to open the hood. He stood back to let the smoke dissipate, waving it with his hand. He peered in over the engine and fiddled with a valve.
    He stood up, shaking his head, while Marie waited with a worried look on her face. “It’s carburetor backfire, Marie,” he told her. “If you don’t get it fixed, it could catch the truck on fire.”
    â€œI’m not convinced that would cost less than replacing it,” Marie muttered. “Oh, I hate this thing!”
    â€œIt’s just old,” he told her, smiling. “Maybe a little…overused.”
    Marie went scarlet. “I’ll go phone my brother at his garage right now!” She didn’t even look at Phoebe as she ran past her, fumbling with her key when she realized the door was still locked. Fortunately she didn’t think to ask why.
    Drake and Phoebe were laughing softly.
    â€œI won’t tell her a thing,” Phoebe promised.
    â€œI’ll see what else I can find out. Maybe Saturday, for the lessons?” he added.
    She nodded. “I get off at one.”
    â€œI’ll arrange my schedule so I’m off that afternoon,” he promised. He glanced toward his squad car, where the radio was crackling. “Just a minute.”
    He strode to the car and picked up the mike, giving his call sign. He listened, nodded and spoke into it again.
    â€œI’ve got to go,” he said. “The FBI agent is on his way. They want us to assist,” he added with a grin. “I suppose my investigative abilities have impressed somebody at the federal level!”
    She chuckled. “See you Saturday.”
    He waved, jumped into the car and sped away.
    Â 
    â€œW HAT WAS GOING ON OUT THERE ?” Marie asked curiously.
    â€œDrake’s going to teach me to shoot a gun,” Phoebe said. “I’ve always wanted to learn.”
    Marie was oddly subdued. She moved to the desk and looked across it worriedly. “I know you don’t want to trust me with any important news, after I blabbed to Cousin Drake about what you said. I’m really sorry,” she added.
    â€œI’m not mad.”
    Marie grimaced. “My brother says they found an anthropologist dead on the Rez this morning, and gossip is that he spoke to you yesterday. You’re in danger, aren’t you, and now you can’t tell me because you think I’ll tell everybody.”
    Phoebe was shocked. “How did your brother know…?”
    â€œOh, we know everything,” she said. “It’s a small community. Somebody from one clan finds out and tells somebody from another clan, and it’s all over the mountains.”
    â€œWorse than a telephone party line,” Phoebe said, still gasping.
    â€œReally,” Marie agreed. “You could stay with me,” she added. “Your place is way out.”
    â€œDrake’s going to teach me to shoot.”
    She lifted an eyebrow. “You didn’t like him.”
    â€œHe grows on you.”
    She