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Thomas studied her face, seeming to assess her sincerity.“You are Anna Chee’s daughter.”

The personal recognition caught Kari off guard.“Yes.”

“She interviewed my grandfather about old stories.The ones most anthropologists don’t know to ask about.”A hint of respect softened his expression.“She listened well.”

Kari filed away this unexpected connection for later consideration.“Mr.Begay, I need to establish your whereabouts on Tuesday night between 10 PM and 2 AM, and again early this morning between 4 AM and 7 AM.”

“Tuesday night, I was at home, preparing materials for my language class the next morning.I live alone since my divorce, so there is no one to confirm this.”He stated this simply, without defensiveness.“This morning, I was running before sunrise.I do this every day, five miles along the ridge trail near my house.”

“Anyone see you on this run?”

“Perhaps.I passed two other runners near Whispering Mesa.I do not know their names.”

Kari made notes, keeping her expression neutral.The sooner she could establish an alibi for Begay, the sooner she could get him safely out of Daniels’s reach.

“You had previous interactions with Dr.Harrington,” she said.“Can you tell me about those?”

Thomas straightened.“He came to the Tribal Council six months ago, seeking permission to document sacred sites for his research.I spoke against granting this permission because he showed no understanding of why these places are protected.”

“Did you confront him personally?”

“I addressed him respectfully during the public comment period.I said he was continuing a long tradition of outsiders treating our spiritual heritage as scientific curiosity.”Thomas’s gaze was steady.“I did not threaten him.I did not follow him.I simply spoke truth to the Council.”

“And Rachel Delgado?Did you know her?”

“No.”Thomas shook his head.“I have heard she was an environmental activist fighting against the mining company.I filed a formal complaint about the same company contaminating water near my family’s grazing land, but I never met this woman.”

Kari shifted direction.“Mr.Begay, are you familiar with protective ceremonies used to contain dangerous entities or forces?”

For the first time, genuine surprise flickered across Thomas’s features.“Yes.My grandfather is a healer who maintains some of the old ways.”

“Could you describe, in general terms, how such ceremonies would be properly conducted?”

Thomas’s expression closed immediately.“Those are sacred matters not to be discussed in police stations while cameras record.”He nodded toward the red light in the corner.“Especially not when you seek to use such knowledge against me.”

“I’m not trying to use it against you,” Kari said.“The opposite, in fact.”

Thomas studied her with renewed intensity.“What do you mean?”

“The bodies were arranged with ceremonial elements—herbs, directional positioning, cornmeal patterns.”Kari kept her voice low, respectful.“But the arrangements contained significant errors no traditional practitioner would make.”

Understanding dawned in Thomas’s eyes.“You believe someone is imitating our ways.Someone who has learned about but not lived them.”

“That’s my theory,” Kari said.“Which is why I’m asking what you would recognize as obvious mistakes.”

Thomas was quiet for a long moment, clearly weighing how much to share.“The most basic understanding is that directions matter.East is the primary direction of power and blessing.North relates to protection.South to learning.West to reflection and ending.If the ceremonial elements don’t align with the proper directions, the entire purpose is corrupted.”

This aligned with what Ruth, Natoni, and Dr.Redford had all confirmed.“And the herbs—sage, cedar, and globemallow—how would they be properly arranged?”

“This should not be casually discussed with police,” Thomas said firmly.Then, after a thoughtful pause, he added, “But anyone who knows would place them at the cardinal points, not randomly around a body.”His eyes narrowed.“These murders involve these elements?”

“Yes,” Kari said simply.

“Then you are looking for someone with book knowledge, not lived knowledge.”Thomas leaned forward.“Detective Blackhorse, I have taught Navajo language and traditions for twelve years.I would no more make these mistakes than an English professor would mix up their alphabet.”

The door opened before Kari could respond.Captain Yazzie looked in, his expression carefully neutral.“Detective, Agent Daniels would like a word.”

Kari nodded, gathering her notes.“Thank you for your cooperation, Mr.Begay.I’ll be back shortly.”

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