Chapter 3 The Meet-Up #4
“There’s something you need to know first.” He glanced over at Kaya, who’d been listening intently to their conversation, angling his head at her to bring her back into their huddle.
“Kaya wasn’t raised on the rez, so she doesn’t completely understand what I’m about to tell you.
” He eyed her with concern. “Be very careful how you handle this information, because no good will come from kicking an old hornet’s nest; but that’s what you’ll be facing if you do any digging into this.
Hornets. Angry ones. There’s bad blood between the Comanches and the Haywood family. Always has been.”
Hearing him verify Kaya’s claim so adamantly made something cold and heavy pass across April’s heart. “How bad?” She was pretty sure Kaya understood it more than he realized. However, she didn’t set him straight on the matter, and neither did Kaya.
“I’m talking about skirmishes that never made it into the history books.
” He spread his hands. “Back in the day, there were folks who believed that the only good Injun was a dead one. All they had to do was claim the Injun was trespassing or poaching, and the friends of those same folks would turn a blind eye when bullets started to fly.”
Kaya gasped in outrage.
The pressure in April’s ribcage grew heavier.
Any children between the two families who’d dared to fall in love would’ve been forced into a Romeo and Juliet situation.
Is that what had happened to his sister and her boyfriend?
“Do you have any names, dates, or other details concerning these skirmishes?”
“I do, but I’d rather not bring them into the mix yet.
” He shook his head at her. “I just wanted you to be aware that bad blood exists when you go looking into things. To get both sides of the story, talk to the old-timers in Heart Lake and on the rez — the most senior citizens you can find. They’ll remember.
Whether they’ll talk to you about it is another matter entirely. ”
“Okay. That’s what I’ll do.” April suspected it was his way of keeping his own biases out of her research, which elevated her good opinion of him even further.
It was starting to sound like she might be in town for a while, so it was a good thing she had a ton of use-or-lose vacation days at her disposal.
“I’ll pass the tip on to Gil and Luke.” She gave Bear a warning look.
“They’re not going to be too thrilled about your continued absence.
If you’d be willing to make a showing and tell them what you just told me—”
“Can’t.” He waved away the suggestion before she could finish.
“It’s too risky. I don’t have time to be detained at the precinct while a deadly predator may be out walking the streets.
One who may have his or her sights set on the Dakota family.
” He paused to let that sink in before adding, “Again.” The finality in his voice told her he was done talking about it for now.
It sounded to her like the bad blood between the Comanches and the Haywoods was personal. Not good. Another thought struck her right on the heels of the last one. “How will your absence affect your business?”
“I’ll have to clear my schedule for the next few weeks.” He shrugged. “No way around it. It’ll cost me, but my nieces are worth it.” It sounded like his mind was made up. “I’ll make the call as soon as you ladies take off.”
You’ll make the call? April caught her lower lip between her teeth, searching his copper features.
He silently dared her to challenge his slip-up.
Fortunately for him, she had bigger fish to fry. “Just tell me how I can reach you.” Unless she’d misread his words, the wily retired councilman had access to a phone after all.
He rattled off the number. “Memorize it. Both of you.”
“Done,” April and Kaya chorused.
However, Kaya wasn’t ready to let it go. “It’s a good thing you weren’t under oath when you lied to me about not having a cell phone.” Her voice was dripping with sarcasm.
“I didn’t lie.” His voice was flat. “I just didn’t correct your assumptions. It’s a burner phone for emergencies only.”
Her eyes widened. “My assumptions and everyone else’s!”
He returned his attention to April. “What’s your number in case I need to reach you?”
She knew better than to read too much into his request, but her foolish heart raced anyway. She breathlessly rattled off her phone number.
He nodded, committing it to memory. “Couple more things. I need you to make Kaya’s role as your assistant official, and I need you to keep her close until this is over.”
Kaya gave a huff of disbelief. “I don’t need a babysitter!”
“Never said you did.” He continued holding April’s gaze.
It was all she could do to keep from smiling. He loved his niece and was making no effort to hide it. “I could use an assistant.”
“I’m standing right here,” Kaya snapped.
It wasn’t April’s first negotiation. She knew a few things about how to sweeten a deal. “I’m in an all-expenses-paid suite at the Heart Lake Plaza Hotel. One of the adjoining rooms has a sleeper sofa.”
“Still standing right here,” Kaya grumbled.
“With room service included,” April taunted in a sly voice. “On the house.”
“Reassessing my options,” Kaya said quickly. “Technically, the whole assistant gig was my idea, so it only makes sense for me to keep playing along.”
Thank you, Bear mouthed to April.