Chilling Effect by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page A

chief fi nancial offi cer.”
    44
    CHILLING EFFECT
    “Th ere’s a tribe CFO?”
    “Technically, he’s the CFO of the tribe-owned corporation that
    operates the casino and resort, but that’s just a nicety. He is, in reality, basically the CFO of the three tribes who form the reservation, yes.”
    “And you think he killed Isaac Palmer?” he ventured, not at all
    sure why Boom would be sharing his theories with a stranger in the
    woods. Unless their encounter wasn’t random.
    “I didn’t say that. I think Isaac Palmer’s death is related to Mr.
    Buckmount’s activities.”
    “You sound like a lawyer. What activities would those be?”
    Boom shook his head, his braids whacking against his neck.
    “I’m not sure. Possibly drug activities. I’ve thought for a while
    he’s had a problem, but I’m not sure. Th at’s why I need your wife’s help.”
    Joe stiff ened at the thought of Aroostine wading into a scandal
    involving tribal politics ugly enough to result in murder. “I’m not sure why you think Aroostine can help you.”
    “Because our community is small and insular. And because the
    outside views us with disdain and suspicion. But she understands our ways—and yours. Please. Mr. Jackman, let her do what’s in her heart.”
    Boom’s timbre was pleading and sincere. But Joe was just creeped
    out. It was like the guy had installed a listening device in the car or something. How could he possibly know what was in Aroostine’s
    heart?
    “Um—”
    “Just spend the night. Th e cultural board maintains an authen-
    tic home we off er to rich, white philanthropists who want to get the fl avor of life on the res. You’re welcome to it. Stay, watch the sun rise over the majestic mountains and enjoy some of our cook Selena’s
    hand-ground cornmeal cakes for breakfast. You’ll be my guest. If
    you still want to go back to your luxury resort after experiencing all of that, well, then go right ahead.”
    45
    MELISSA F. MILLER
    For a possibly demented old guy, Boom sure was a masterful
    salesman.
    “Well . . .”
    “Talk to your wife. See what she says. If you want to stay, I’ll see you at the guest cottage. It’s just two doors down from Isaac’s house.”
    Joe left the man standing in the clearing and hurried along the
    trail back to the road. A jumble of thoughts whirled through his
    mind as he tripped over rocks and roots. Boom’s comments about
    drugs, crime, and profi t on the reservation were background noise.
    Joe kept coming back to the cryptic remarks about clipping a bird’s wings. He couldn’t be responsible for grounding his wife, fl ightless and listless. He had to let her fulfi ll her purpose.
    A bird must fl y.
    He quickened his pace as the ground fl attened, running back
    to her.
    Aroostine milled around the car for a moment after Joe stalked off .
    She had no intention of getting back in the Jeep just because he’d
    told her to. At least he hadn’t said “I told you so,” in response to her announcement. Th at was progress of a sort.
    Slipping into the passenger seat held some appeal. She was
    tired. No, she was more than tired. She was drained. She’d started
    her day with a sunrise hike and ended it by fi nding a murder victim.
    Closing her eyes and leaning back against the headrest sounded like a much better way to wait out Joe’s fi t or tantrum, or whatever he was doing, than pacing back and forth.
    She settled into the seat, slowed her breathing, and tried to
    wipe the image of Isaac Palmer from her mind. She might have suc-
    ceeded—she might even have caught a quick cat nap—if it hadn’t
    been for a car that pulled up alongside the Jeep, idled for a moment, 46
    CHILLING EFFECT
    and then eventually parked, leaving its headlights on. Her eyes
    snapped open. She blinked into the light and squinted to make out
    a fi gure moving toward her car. She tensed and hit the door locks.
    Tap, tap, tap. Th e person was rapping on the passenger side window. A concerned woman