Enemy Way Read Free Page A

toward her and reached for the jacket. “That isn’t yours.”
    “I’m just borrowing it. Consider it a police emergency.” Ella said and glowered at her.
    The woman backed up a step, then saw the badge pinnedto Ella’s belt and the pistol in her holster. “Bring it back, okay?”
    Ella nodded once, and slipped the jacket on over her own. “I’m going along on this ride,” she told Justine. “If Neskahi is in trouble, I’ll be there to back him up. If it is a mistake, and there’s a victim that needs to be transported, the helicopter crew can do their job and I’ll ride back with the sergeant, quizzing him onthe ten codes.”
    They hurried up the stairs to the roof and as they opened the door and stepped out, the helicopter’s rotor blades picked up speed. The downwash ‘whomp’ seemed to send its vibrations right through Ella. “One more thing,” she yelled at Justine. “Send two units to Neskahi’s location right away. If there is trouble, I want to have plenty of backup.”
    Ella kept her head down and ranover to the shiny white and turquoise air ambulance. A silver hawk with a halo was painted on the pilot’s door, and below it was the name “Angel Hawk.”
    The moment Ella climbed into the helicopter, she leaned forward to talk to the Navajo pilot. His jaw was set, and one look told her that this wasn’t a man who liked sharing authority.
    “You aren’t a member of my crew, and this isn’t a carnivalride. What makes you think you can go up in my chopper?” he shouted over the rotor noise.
    She opened the white jacket she’d borrowed, and showed him her badge and police ID. “I’m going with you on this run. There may be more to the situation than a medical emergency.”
    The lanky young medic sitting on a fold-down seat in the patient treatment area placed his hand on the pilot’s shoulder. “Wecan’t afford the time to argue, boss. We have a pickup to make.”
    The pilot gave Ella a quick nod. “I’ve heard about you, Investigator Clah, so okay, you can go. Climb up front and ride with me. As soon as you have that seat belt fastened, we’re going to lift off. You can fill me in on the way. If I’m heading into trouble, I want to know exactly what I’m facing.”
    “Deal.”
    Fighting the suddenlurch in her stomach as they took off, Ella gave the pilot a long, sideways glance. She’d never met the man before, but, then again, the reservation was a large place and the air ambulance was a very recent addition to the hospital. Also, these days she was hardly ever sent on traffic accident calls.
    Ella glanced at the pilot’s name tag. Jeremiah Crow. She searched her memory for the name, butcame up empty. “You must be new to this corner of the Rez.”
    Crow nodded. “My clan has always lived in the Tuba City area. After the military I flew tourists over the Grand Canyon before the job opened up here.” He glanced over at her quickly, then focused back on his dimmed instrument panel. “Now you know about me. It’s time to keep your side of the bargain. And talk fast. We’ll be there in justa few minutes.”
    Ella filled him in on what she knew, then added, “When we get there, stay alert until I give you a thumbs-up. Any other sign will mean that you’re to lift off immediately.”
    “We’ll be sitting ducks inside this chopper on the ground, even in the dark. I flew scout missions in the army. I’ve been shot at enough to know a little strategy pays for itself. I suggest we do a fast orbitfirst and illuminate the area with the spotlight. It’s got an adjustable beam width, so you can assess the situation before we take action. From below it’ll look as if we’re searching for the best place to set this bird down.”
    “All right,” Ella agreed. “It’s a good plan. But, once we’re down, if there’s trouble, you stay out of it. Lift off immediately.”
    Ella watched the stark expanse of desertbelow them. The moon had risen from behind the cliffs, and a blend of