Tribal Law

Dryer made a face. “You think I’m alone up here? I’m not. This is a joint operation.”

In spite of the doubts he felt, Gabe kept his poker face.

“You get a call about those barrels?” asked Dryer.

He had. From his uncle Luke. Gabe felt sick. Had Luke been playing him? Was it true that an Indian who worked for the Feds wasn’t Indian anymore?

Gabe had aspirations to become a field agent. But not if it meant betraying his people.

“The FBI is aware of our investigation.”

And yet his uncle had not notified him. Was that because Gabe was also a suspect? Frasco was back trafficking and Gabe had once been engaged to Frasco’s daughter. Guilt by association. Gabe wondered.

“Before you get all pissy, your uncle doesn’t know about me. It’s above his pay grade.”

Because his uncle was Black Mountain Apache and so could not totally be trusted? Gabe narrowed his eyes. The fury sparked, burning his carefully cultivated control.

“He should have been informed,” said Gabe.

Kino’s brows lifted, recognizing the potential for danger in Gabe’s quiet tone.

“He’s Apache. You are thick as thieves up here. Everyone is somebody’s cousin. His department thought it best to keep him out of the loop. Not my call. We’ve been coordinating with his supervisor and his partner.”

“Cassidy Walker?”

“Right.”

Cassidy Walker, the one his uncle said had ambitions to transfer to DC. Gabe smelled a rat all right, but not in the Apache hierarchy.

“She’s running this. Senior man, even though she’s a woman.”

“So you suspected my uncle?” he said.

“Seemed logical.”

“Because he’s Indian.”

“Black Mountain Apache. Brother to a known drug trafficker.”

Dryer was referring now to Gabe’s father. He had been a convicted felon when he had been murdered by a trafficker who went by the name The Viper.

“My uncle went through FBI screening. He’s clean.”

“He’s related to people involved with this case, just like your big brother, the tribal councilor.”

“Clyne? You suspect Clyne? He’s incorruptible.”

“Everyone’s corruptible, Chief. Your dad. Your tribal council...your big brother...you. Hey,” he said his voice full of forced enthusiasm. “You back to seeing Frasco’s daughter?”

Gabe was stunned speechless. How would Dryer know that he’d once seen Selena?

“I hear you two spent some quality time together. But be careful. You know the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Gabe spun him with one hand and hit Dryer squarely across the jaw. The DOJ field agent dropped like a stone. It took both Kino and Detective Juris to drag Gabe back. It was only after the red haze had cleared that he realized he had just struck a federal officer.

Gabe watched Dryer shake off the blow as Gabe tried to decide if he should arrest him, cooperate with his investigation or hit him again.

Dryer struggled to his feet. Neither Juris nor Kino lifted a hand to help him.

“I wish I’d done that,” said Juris.

Dryer rubbed his jaw. “That was worse than getting shot,” he said.

Gabe glanced at Selena, feeling embarrassed now for his outburst. How much could she hear back there through the raised windows?

She met his gaze and tried to exit the unit but found the doors locked from the outside. She was trapped. Gabe lifted a hand and she flopped back in the seat, clearly impatient with her captivity. But if what Dryer said was true, arresting her was at least a way to keep her safe.

Gabe turned to Dryer. “Do you want to press charges?”

Dryer cocked his head. “Against you?” He snorted. “No.”

It was hard, but Gabe thanked him and Dryer offered his hand. The handshake was brief and halfhearted.

“Okay,” said Dryer, as if getting back to business. “No comments about Selena. Got it. But that box truck. It can’t be mentioned in your reports or on the radio. I know Escalanti listens to the police scanner. So, no mention of the truck, the Doselas or me.”

Gabe’s gaze flicked to the DOJ agent, wishing he could put him in a gag as well as handcuffs. “If there’s no box truck, why did I shoot Jason Leekela and an unknown gunman again?”

“I don’t know...brandishing a weapon. Shooting at you.”

“So you want me to lie.”

“I want you to keep a lid on the undercover operation.”

“In exchange for full disclosure,” said Gabe.

Dryer considered his offer. Then qualified. “To you, only. Not to the council.”

“I could get fired for doing that.”

“And you could catch these guys if you do what I’m telling you.”

Gabe didn’t like being told what to do by outsiders.

“My brother and first officer here already know.”

“That’s all they know from here forward, and you keep them quiet.”

Both his men put their hands on their hips, clearly not liking that plan.