Down On The Bayou Detective Agency - Case Files

Chapter 15

Case # 19 - The Shady Shaman Part 3

Definitions:

spon·ta·ne·ous com·bus·tion - noun the ignition of organic matter (e.g., hay or coal) without apparent cause, typically through heat generated internally by rapid oxidation.

Bilagaana - It's the Navajo name for white people, or people of Caucasian descent

Doli - means "blue bird" in the Navajo language

Hózhǫ́ - is a dynamic balancing of multiple moving forces not a static symmetry. The inner and outer, active and static, male and female, light and dark all need to be in balance. It is always within our power to work on walking in hózhǫ́.

Powaka - or bad power is what a witch in Hopi is called.

~o0o~

Previously:

Edward and Sam looked at each other and nodded. Edward asked McDonald, "Have there been more unexplained fires similar to this?"

McDonald scoffed, "You're thinking spontaneous combustion?"

Edward and Sam both nodded. "Yes, that's exactly what we're thinking."

~o0o~

Doli Yázhe was tall for a Navajo. She had short hair and sunburned complexion, which was common among those who spend so much time in the open desert country. Her eyes, however, were a blue that spoke of DNA that was not Southwest Native American. Her other physical features were native.

"Hello, Sam, I'm glad to finally meet you, Hástin spoke about you frequently and always with the greatest respect," Doli said as she shook Sam's hand. She then turned to Edward. "And you must be Edward Cullen. I've heard a great deal about you, too. I'm sorry you never got to meet Hástin. You would have liked each other." She then turned back to Sam. "I am happy that you didn't bring Angela with you. She would have been in grave danger...more so than you two will be." She then turned to MacDonald. "Thank you for coming too. Will you follow me back to my home where we can talk?"

She didn't wait for the three men to answer. She just turned on her heels and nodded at Officer Tolth. "Heather."

~o0o~

One hour and forty-five minutes, several dusty roads, and one semi road later, the three vehicles pulled up in front of Yázhe's house. It was a modest-size stucco home with a red tile roof. The front yard was mostly hard-packed dirt with what looked to be native bushes artfully placed. There was a gravel walkway leading from the driveway to the front porch with medium stones painted white lining it on either side.

Doli lead the three men into her home and offered them all either iced tea or coffee. After the niceties were offered and accepted, they were able to settle down and discuss what Doli had brought them there to talk about.

"I hope I'm not overstepping any ritual for greeting," Sam started, but didn't get to finish.

"But, you've come a long way," Doli finished.

"Yes, to not put too fine a point on it," Sam said.

Edward and McDonald sat silently, watching and sipping their iced tea. Edward had all of his senses on high alert, waiting. MacDonald crossed his ankle over his opposite knee. Edward could hear McDonald preparing himself for a long wait. These things could take forever.

"First, let me explain that I'm not pure Navajo, as I'm sure you've figured out from my blue eyes. My great grandfather was of Scottish descent. He came out here in the early 1900s and opened a dry goods store. Later, he fell in love with my grandmother, and they were married, much to the dislike of her family. Long story short, my mother was, for all intents and purposes, an outcast, and I was sent away to the Bilagáana schools, but I came back here and went to work for my grandfather. That is where I met Hástin. He and I fell in love and were married. This did not set well with the majority of the family, but we didn't care. Hástin also did not care that I am a Seer." Doli paused waiting for a reaction that didn't come before she continued on. "That is how I knew about Angela, Sam, and you, Edward. My Guides warned me that Angela could die if she came with you, Sam, and, Edward, I've never heard my Guides be so complimentary about another Seer."

Doli turned back to Sam. "I know you have been told that Hástin burned to death, but the tribal police and even you, McDonald, do not know what I've been told and shown regarding the deaths by fire here." She picked up her coffee and took a sip before continuing. "There is a very dark, dark magic at work here. Hástin was unable to locate its source, but I have had a clue from a vision of the Hopi Fire God Katsina, also called Shulawitsi. I know that the Skinwalker is not Navajo, but Hopi, and that their god of fire is what is being used to curse our people. I do not know why those who've died were chosen, nor am I sure why I'm still alive, but I feel my time is limited."

Sam was thinking that he needed to assure Doli that he and Edward would find this Hopi Skinwalker and it would all be over, but she held her hand up to still him.

"I, like Edward, am a mind reader, Sam. I know what you are wanting to say but don't. I have seen my Hózhǫ́ is out of balance. You'd call it my fate or destiny. No Hand Trembler or Singer would come to me. They think me a witch, which is okay. I accept my lot. I always have." She smiled at the three men and continued. "I know of only one Hopi powaka and that is Ahote Tewanima. Now, I have more to tell you that might save your lives and perhaps the lives of more of my people." She paused again. "I saw something just before Hástin died." Again she paused, gathering her thoughts. "It was as if the air behind him was smudged, or perhaps a better description would be heat waves. There was also a sound before I saw the disturbance-that's the only way I can think to describe what I saw in the air-it was accompanied by a whistling noise. Much like when wind blows over broken reeds along a river. If you hear that noise, run from that place. I can't promise it'll work but..." Doli stopped and looked out the bay window in her living room at nothing at all, just remembering.

Edward was able to see what Doli was seeing, and he'd never seen anything like it before in his life. He was sure that if he ever saw it again, he'd know it for what it was, a portent of disaster to come.

With a rapid change in her demeanor, she said, "Now, I need to get some housework done. I need to go to work soon and help my grandfather stock the shelves." She stood and walked to her front door and opened it.

The three men said nothing, other than thanking her for the iced tea and information. They left without conferring with one another, choosing to wait until they'd gotten a good distance from Doli's home.

"What do you think, Edward?" asked McDonald.

"What do I think? I hope I never see or hear what she described, Mac. I also think she's going to be doing some death chanting-the Navajo do that. She's ready for death to claim her."

"I got the same impression, Edward," Sam added. "She's not the least bit frightened."

McDonald just shook his head. "All right, you two. Do your thing and let me know what you find out, Okay?"

They climbed back into their vehicles and parted routes shortly afterward. McDonald presumably went to his offices while Edward and Sam went in search of a hotel.

~o0o~