Leaphorn parked at the station, and Largo greeted him like the old friend he was. They shared a few stories and got down to business. Largo told him the rookie had not arrived.
“That’s fine. I stopped at the gas station where he’d responded to the robbery.” Leaphorn summarized Roland’s comments. “I’d like to see how he wrote it up before we talk.”
“I thought you might. You’ll find some other information here, too.” Largo handed him a folder. “I appreciate you doing this, Lieutenant. I’d like to keep the rookie on the force because he has a lot of potential. And I’d like to keep him alive. The incident where somebody broke his nose could have been worse.”
Largo led Leaphorn into an empty office. “Take a minute to look at that stuff. I’ll let you know when Sam gets here. You can talk in the interview room.”
Officer Wilson Sam arrived on time. Leaphorn’s first impression confirmed what he’d heard. The young man wore the uniform well and looked physically fit, lean and muscular. They walked together down the hall to the interview room. Leaphorn motioned Sam to the empty chair where the interviewer usually sat. He spoke in Navajo. “Sit there. We’ll chat a little.”
He noted the young man’s lack of surprise at being offered the power seat. Leaphorn introduced himself with a brief overview of his career and mentioned that he and Largo had worked together and that he had mentored Sergeant Jim Chee.
“Well, you know who I am.” Sam leaned back. “The captain said you wanted to talk to me about an incident I responded to, that bomb in the high school parking lot. Is that right?”
“Yes. Let’s start with that.”
“Did he tell you I was one of the first responders?” The rookie crossed his forearms and rested them on the table.
“I heard you got to the scene shortly after the car blew up, and that you found the man who died. Tell me about it.”
Sam began at the beginning of the assignment. Leaphorn noted that in his rendition of the story the rookie gave himself a larger role than the written reports had allotted him. He spoke concisely and had good recall of the details.
“What did you think of the other law enforcement people who were at the incident?”
“I know why you’re asking. The captain didn’t like the way I took charge and wants Manuelito to have most of the credit. He doesn’t appreciate the fact that I can think for myself. So is that why you’re really here? Tell me the truth.”
Leaphorn had anticipated the question. “As I mentioned, Largo and I go back to the days before cell phones. The incident with your nose told him that you have some things to learn. He believes you could become a fine officer, so he asked me to consider working with you to sharpen your skills. Because of your injury, he figured this would be a good time for us to get acquainted.”
Sam put his hand to his face. “You know this thing? It wasn’t my fault. I was doing my job, and next thing I knew . . . baaam. I’m on the ground, bleeding like crazy.”
“So when you see a fight . . .” Leaphorn left the sentence unfinished.
The rookie smiled for the first time. “They stopped once I got hit. The surprise factor. But, yeah, I don’t wanna stop a fight this way again. You want the details?”
“Not right now. I’d like to talk about something else.” Leaphorn opened the folder Largo had given him and extracted the rookie’s report on the gas station robbery. “On my way here, I stopped at the station on 491. I spoke with the manager before I read your report. I have questions about some discrepancies.”
The rookie uncrossed his arms. “That’s the way things go, isn’t it? The witness can’t remember or gets it wrong. I write up what she says. Time goes by, and her story changes, right? Women are the worst. They like to hear themselves jabber away, and it takes them too long to get to the point.”
“In my experience, there are ways to help people recall details or discuss incidents they have witnessed that might be embarrassing. Many veteran officers use these—you could call them tricks of the trade—to build rapport and learn more about a crime.” He paused, giving Sam an opportunity to pursue the topic.
“I can’t see that rapport would have made any difference with that old woman. She got testy. Change of life or something. I needed to cover the basics and move on.” He gave Leaphorn a condescending look. “Time moves faster these days, quicker than when you worked as a cop.”
Leaphorn removed two pieces of paper from his folder. “This is your report.” He tapped it. “The next page details my observations from my interview with Mrs. Roland earlier today. We discussed the incident and your visit. Would you like to take a look?”
Sam sighed. “I’m sick of being second-guessed, called a screwup. Is that really why you’re here?”
Leaphorn put the pages back in the folder. “I’ll say it more clearly. The captain asked if I’d be willing to mentor you, and I told him I needed to meet you first.”
“Mentor? Like when kids get in trouble and someone is assigned to them, some grown-up who is supposed to help them go straight.”
Leaphorn said nothing.
“I don’t need that kind of attention. Thanks anyway. Do you mind giving me that paper with your observations?”
Leaphorn handed him the sheet of paper, wondering if the rookie really cared or if he mistakenly thought he could prevent Largo from seeing the comments.
“Anything else, Lieutenant?”
“Yes.” Despite his irritation, Leaphorn kept his voice calm. “Son, lose the attitude. It could get you killed. And one more thing. An honorable man treats women with respect. Now get out of here.”
After Sam left, Leaphorn tried Bernie’s phone again. This time she answered and they spent a minute on small talk.
“Sir, I was looking forward to seeing you today, but I’m dealing with a stolen-vehicle issue out by Rattlesnake. I don’t know when I’ll be done.”
“OK then. Next trip. Say hello to Chee for me.”
“I will. He’s in Chinle.” Bernie explained briefly.
“What happened with that body you found over the weekend?”
“The Feds are on it. Agent Johnson’s not saying much. I’ve been reinterviewing the Navajos I saw out there, but no one has been helpful. There’s one man I haven’t been able to find yet, but I hope to wrap that up today. We could use a break in the case.” Then Bernie laughed. “My best witness is the dog and he’s not talking.”
He waited for her to ask about Louisa and end the call, but Bernie surprised him. “What are you working on, Lieutenant? Chee said you’re really busy these days.”
“Oh, it’s complicated.”
“Your cases usually are, and I think that’s why you take them. You’re making me curious.”
“I’ll tell you over that pie you promised me.”
After that, he walked to the captain’s office. Largo looked up when Leaphorn knocked on the door frame.
“Come in. I’ve got some stuff to finish here, then we can have dinner and swap lies about the old days.” He motioned Leaphorn to a chair. “What do you think about working with the rookie?”