CHAPTER FOUR
Kari sat at her desk in the Navajo Nation Police Department, surrounded by printouts from Anna's research files.
She'd spent the morning organizing information about Evan Naalnish's disappearance—the timeline, the search reports.
Methodical work, the kind that felt productive even when it didn't yield immediate results.
Her phone buzzed. Captain Yazzie's name appeared on the screen.
"Blackhorse," she answered.
"Kari, I need you in my office. Now, if you can."
The tone wasn't alarming exactly, but it carried the weight of something significant. Kari gathered her files, tucking them into a folder she locked in her desk drawer. Whatever Yazzie wanted, it probably wasn't related to a fifteen-year-old cold case she was investigating on her own time.
She found the captain at his desk, phone pressed to his ear, his weathered face showing the kind of tension that came with difficult conversations. He gestured for her to sit while he finished the call.
"Yes, I understand the sensitivity... She'll be there this afternoon... I appreciate that." He ended the call and set down the phone. "That was Phoenix PD. They've requested your assistance on a high-profile murder case."
Kari felt a flicker of surprise. "What kind of case?"
"Two homicides. Both victims wealthy residents of Paradise Valley, both connected to a controversial development project. The suspect in custody is a Navajo environmental lawyer."
Kari was surprised to hear that not only was there already a suspect, but that suspect was in custody. What did they need her for?
Yazzie pulled out a file folder. "They want you as a cultural consultant. Specifically, they want your perspective on whether the suspect's activism could have escalated to violence."
"When did they make the arrest?"
"This morning. Thomas Hatathli—do you know the name?"
Kari frowned, the name tugging at something in her memory. "I think so. My mother mentioned him in some of her research notes. Environmental lawyer, right? Works on cases involving sacred sites?"
Yazzie nodded, looking unsurprised that Anna's work would have crossed paths with Hatathli's.
"He's been fighting development projects across Arizona for fifteen years.
High-profile cases, lots of media attention.
He's particularly known for defending sacred sites and indigenous cultural resources.
" Yazzie opened the folder, showing Kari a photograph of a man in his early forties with sharp, intelligent features.
"The victims in this case were both involved in approving a luxury resort that destroyed ancient petroglyphs during construction.
Hatathli had publicly opposed the project, made statements that could be interpreted as threats. "
"What's the evidence against him?"
"DNA found at both crime scenes. Hair samples that match Hatathli's profile." Yazzie's face grew troubled. "Both victims were shot in their homes with what appears to be the same weapon—a handgun with a suppressor. No signs of forced entry at either location."
Kari studied the photo of Hatathli. He looked like what he was—a lawyer, someone who worked within the system rather than outside it. But appearances could be deceiving. She'd learned that lesson thoroughly on the Hopi reservation.
"Why do they need me specifically?" she asked. "They have their own people who can evaluate this."
"The request came from one Detective Maria Santos.
She said she wanted someone who understands both criminal investigation and the cultural complexities of indigenous activism.
Someone who won't just rubber-stamp the department's conclusions.
" Yazzie met Kari's eyes. "She mentioned you worked together in Phoenix. "
Maria. The name brought a flood of memories—three years as partners in Phoenix PD Homicide, some of the best investigative work Kari had ever done, a mentor who'd taught her to trust her instincts while backing them up with evidence.
It had been months since they'd spoken beyond the occasional text message.
"Maria Santos was my training officer when I made detective," Kari said. "She's good. One of the best homicide investigators Phoenix PD has."
"She also said she's skeptical about the suspect's guilt despite the DNA evidence. She wants someone who won't be influenced by department pressure to close the case quickly." Yazzie closed the folder. "Thoughts?"
Kari thought about the files locked in her desk drawer, about the plan she and Ben had made to investigate Evan Naalnish's disappearance.
This would pull her away from that work, at least temporarily.
But it would also give her a chance to work with Maria again, to get involved in an active investigation rather than chasing fifteen-year-old ghosts.
And if Maria was skeptical about Hatathli's guilt, that suggested the case wasn't as straightforward as the DNA evidence made it seem.
"How long would they need me?" Kari asked.
"Hard to say. Could be a few days of consultation, could turn into something longer if the case gets complicated." Yazzie leaned back in his chair. "Phoenix PD is under pressure on this one—wealthy victims, high-profile suspect, media attention. They want to make sure they get it right."
"What about my caseload here?"
"Light enough that Tsosie can cover for you.
I'll clear it with him." Yazzie's expression softened.
"This is an opportunity, Kari. Phoenix PD specifically requested you.
That's recognition of the work you've done, the reputation you're building.
And working with your former partner on a case like this. .. it could open doors."
Kari nodded slowly. She'd left Phoenix PD to return to the reservation, to be closer to Ruth, to investigate her mother's death.
She'd thought she was done with big-city police work, with the politics and pressure and media circuses that came with high-profile cases.
But Maria had taught her well, had shown her how to navigate those complications while staying focused on finding the truth.
"Alright," Kari said. "When do they want me there?"
"This afternoon, if possible. I'll send them confirmation." Yazzie pulled out another sheet of paper. "Detective Santos is expecting your call. She'll brief you on the details and set up the logistics."
Kari took the paper with Maria's direct number, though she already had it memorized. "Thank you, Captain."
"Kari." Yazzie's voice stopped her at the door. "Be careful with this one. Cross-jurisdictional cases, especially with this kind of political pressure... they can get messy fast. Don't let Phoenix PD use you to validate conclusions they've already drawn."
"I won't."
"And remember—you're representing this department out there. Whatever you do reflects on all of us."
"Understood."
Back at her desk, Kari pulled out her phone and stared at Maria's number for a moment before dialing. The phone rang twice before a familiar voice answered.
"Santos."
"Maria, it's Kari."
"Kari! Thank God. I was hoping Yazzie would clear you." Maria's voice carried relief mixed with urgency. "How soon can you get to Phoenix?"
"Couple hours. I need to pack a bag, brief my partner on my cases." Kari paused. "Yazzie said you're skeptical about the suspect's guilt?"
"I'll explain when you get here. It's... complicated." Maria's voice dropped lower, as if she was worried about being overheard. "I need your eyes on this, Kari. Someone who won't just see what the evidence wants us to see."
"That sounds ominous."
"It is. Look, we'll talk when you get here. Come straight to the station—I'll meet you in the lobby." Maria paused. "It's good to hear your voice. I've missed working with you."
"Same here." Kari felt a warmth in her chest that surprised her. "I'll be there by early afternoon."
After ending the call, Kari sat for a moment, processing.
Two murders. A suspect in custody with DNA evidence.
Maria skeptical despite the physical evidence.
It had the hallmarks of exactly the kind of case that had made Kari good at her job in Phoenix—complicated, politically charged, requiring the ability to see past surface explanations to deeper truths.
She thought about Hatathli's photo, about a man who'd spent his career fighting for indigenous rights within the legal system. Had that activism finally escalated into violence? Or was something else going on, something that Maria had sensed but couldn't yet prove?
Kari locked her desk, grabbed her jacket, and headed out. First stop would be Ben's desk to brief him on the change of plans, then home to pack, then the drive to Phoenix and whatever waited there.
As she walked through the station, Kari caught sight of the folder she'd been working on that morning—Anna's research, Evan Naalnish's case, the investigation that might finally explain what had happened to her mother.
That work would have to wait. But it had waited fifteen years already. A few more days wouldn't matter.
What mattered now was two dead people in Phoenix and a suspect who might or might not be guilty of murder.