Chilling Effect by Unknown Read Free Book Online

that he meant no harm.
    “Are you with the tribal police?”
    “No, no. But I’m an elder and a member of the cultural board.
    We’ll be working closely with the police.”
    “How?”
    “Community patrols, encouraging people to talk if they saw
    something, that sort of thing.” Boom’s eyes narrowed and his voice
    took on a pained note. “And, of course, helping to ensure our guests feel safe.”
    “Your guests?”
    “Th e white fat cats who want to tour our grounds, gamble away
    their money in our casinos, and enjoy some overpriced alcohol and
    meals while they’re at it. It wouldn’t do for our profi ts to dip if they get scared off by the death of one expendable Indian.” Anger clouded 42
    CHILLING EFFECT
    his face for the briefest moment. And then he smoothed it away with a too-bright grin. “Which reminds me, did you enjoy your dinner?”
    “Price was right,” Joe joked. Boom’s mercurial mood shifts were
    making him uneasy. And humor was Joe’s fallback when he was
    uncomfortable. He wanted to get out of the woods and back to his
    wife.
    Boom laughed and clasped Joe’s shoulder with his free hand.
    “Very good.”
    “Well, Mr. Cowslip—”
    “Please. It’s Boom.”
    “Okay, Boom. I need to get back to Aroostine. She’s waiting in
    the car. I just had to . . .”
    Joe didn’t intend to tell this guy he just had to get away from his wife before he said something he regretted. Before he could come
    up with a plausible lie, Boom supplied one.
    “Relieve yourself?”
    “Yeah, right. Nature called.”
    “Hmm. Well, yes, hurry back to the missus.”
    “Nice meeting you,” Joe said as he turned to head back down
    the trail.
    “Do you know what happens when you clip a bird’s wings?”
    Joe turned back, disconcerted by the odd question. “No.”
    Boom turned the lamp in his hand toward himself. He looked
    exactly like a ghoulish jack-o’-lantern.
    “It doesn’t have a way to cope with fl ightlessness. It becomes
    irritable, meek, anxious, and fearful.”
    “Oh-kay.” Joe started backing away.
    “I hope you and your strong, brave wife wil stay on the reserva-
    tion for a few days.”
    “Why’s that?” Joe wondered where he was headed with this sud-
    den change in topics.
    43
    MELISSA F. MILLER
    “We need her help. We need an outsider who understands our
    ways and traditions and can also navigate the federal issues that
    Isaac’s death will certainly stir up.”
    “What federal issues would those be?”
    As far as he knew, Aroostine had honored Sid’s request not to
    mention the potential embezzlement charges to anyone on the reser-
    vation. And he couldn’t help wondering how Boom knew his wife’s
    heritage. Did word spread that fast? Or was Boom more connected
    than he was letting on?
    “I’m sure you know as well as I do that Isaac found evidence of
    embezzlement at the casino.”
    Joe stared at him. “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking
    about,” he lied.
    “I doubt that very much. Your wife didn’t make the trip out
    here to talk to Isaac about the weather. Don’t worry, it’s not com-
    mon knowledge. But as a member of the cultural board, I have to
    have my fi nger on these issues.”
    “Right. It wouldn’t do for your guests to get the wrong impression.”
    “Or the right impression, as the case may be. But in this instance, I think my people have a serious problem.” Boom’s voice was grim.
    “Oh?” Joe said reluctantly. Joe wasn’t at all sure what Boom was
    up to but his desire to end the weird conversation and go fi nd his wife was becoming urgent.
    “A fi sh rots from the head, Mr. Jackman. I’m convinced
    the information Isaac uncovered traces directly back to Lee
    Buckmount.” Boom dropped this bombshell with a triumphant
    note in his voice.
    It was clear from the way Boom emphasized the name that he
    expected a reaction. He was going to be sorely disappointed.
    “Who?”
    Boom sighed. “Right, why would you know? Mr. Buckmount
    is our