“Why didn’t you tell me this before today?” Kee had been interviewing from Flagstaff to Tucson and was heartsick at having to leave the rez, especially now. People were moving and building and naturally getting hurt in the process. Accidents due to drinking were way up and there was a troubling spike in heroin overdoses.
“I only got word today. Email’s in my computer. It’s just been approved by our oversight board. So, you need time to think about it?”
“Forgiveness of all my loans? I have five.”
“All.”
“Private and government?”
“All means all,” said Hauser.
Kee felt the weight of his burden lifting off his shoulders and he almost felt like dancing. He laughed.
“Well, then yes.” Kee grinned. “I could work with that.”
Hauser extended his hand and they shook. His mentor reeled him in and wrapped an arm around Kee’s shoulders.
“Good, good. I’ve been thinking. I’ve been here doing this thirty-five years. When the time comes to turn over the reins, I’d like that someone to be you.”
Kee was speechless.
Hauser let him go and spoke in Tonto. “You are like a second son to me.”
Kee felt the hitch in his throat and didn’t think he could speak.
“You know Turquoise Canyon,” said Hauser. “You are a part of this place. You belong here with your people.” He switched back to English. “Besides, I’ll be damned if I’ll lose you to some big city hospital when you are needed right here.”
“I’m honored to follow your example, sir.”
“Well, it’s settled, then. I’ll get you the paperwork. Get it back when you can.”
Kee felt humbled. This man was all he ever wanted to become and earning his respect...well, Kee was brimming with joy. All the hard work and effort was paying off. Hauser had called him a second son. Kee thought he might cry.
“Now we have to find you a nice girl, hmm?”
Kee flushed. That was an odd thing to say. “Time still for that.”
“No time like the present. Pay off the loans. Find a wife and have a few children. You’ll be all set. Settled. A man the community can trust.”
That was a strange way of saying it, thought Kee. He thought he’d build trust by having a sterling reputation and all the necessary credentials. Unlike his father and Ty, Kee had steered clear of trouble and taken the road that involved hard work and sacrifice.
“My wife has a niece you should meet. She’s beautiful, traditional and lives in Koun’nde,” he said naming one of their three settlements.
“Well, we’ll see.”
Hauser clapped him on the shoulder. “Good man.” Then he turned to go, waving a hand in farewell. “Patients waiting.”
The female voice came from behind them. “Dr. Hauser?”
Kee knew that voice. It was the clinic administrator, Betty Mills.
Hauser turned and smiled at the woman who kept the place running. Betty was in her middle years, with onyx eyes and hair to match. She dressed better than anyone Kee knew, with never a hair out of place. Her makeup was thick and meticulous from the liner to the bright unnatural pink of her lips. High heels and the jangling gold bracelets she always wore on her left arm announced her on each approach. Betty loved her bling. Even the chain that held her reading glasses on the bright purple blouse was gold with clear crystal beads.
“There’s my boss,” said Hauser to Kee and winked. “What’s up, Betty?”
“Waiting room is full and so we’ve set up lawn chairs outside. They’re full now, too. You both need to pick up the pace.” She snapped her fingers, the long acrylic nails painted purple to match her outfit.
Hauser winked at Kee and then scuttled down the corridor to the exam area where Dr. Day waited.
Betty gave Kee a critical stare. “I’ll tell Lori you’re ready for the next one.”
Down the corridor, Dr. Day stepped out of the examination area rubbing his neck. Hauser frowned after him and then drew the curtains closed behind him.
Hauser had not liked Day since the minute the tribal council had informed him that they had voted to get them extra help. It seemed Hector did not mind being bossed by Betty, but he did not like the tribal council interfering with his clinic.
Dr. Day reached Kee and gave him a defeated look. “All I did was ask if he’d speak in English when I’m there.”
“I can imagine how that went over,” said Kee, feeling sympathy for the doctor who was struggling to fit in with the local culture.
Kee glanced to the receiving station and the young mother carrying a crying toddler in his direction. He smiled and motioned them into the free exam area.
She spoke to him in Tonto Apache and Kee answered in kind. He could not believe how lucky he was to be able to stay here in the place he loved with the people he knew. A house. A car and a salary that was more money than he could even imagine. It seemed nearly too good to be true.
Tuesday morning at the temporary clinic was crazy, made more so by the fact that Dr. Day did not appear at his usual time. Kee covered the women’s health clinic, now in the adjoining trailer, and Hauser took the urgent care center. Kee called Day several times but got no answer.
Hauser popped into Kee’s exam area.
“Anything?” he asked.
“No answer on his phone.”
“FEMA sent us a dud.”
Kee didn’t think Hauser was giving Day a chance. He almost seemed to be undercutting his efforts. Kee didn’t understand it because he’d never seen Hauser act like this.
Hauser waved a dismissive hand. “Social skills of a tortoise and just as much personality.”
Kee was now officially really worried. He knew Day had set out with his Subaru at seven, his mountain bike strapped onto the vehicle’s bike rack, and that he was always back by just after eight thirty, which was why he was usually late for their 9 a.m. opening. Still, he was never this late. Something felt off but he told himself to be patient.
Kee glanced at his watch. Day had been missing for hours.
When they reached noon and Kee still had no word, he called his brother Jake Redhorse.
“When did you see him last?” asked Jake.
“This morning. He was going for a ride before work.”
“On a horse?” asked Jake.
“He rides his bike. Mountain biking.”
“Okay, yup. I’ve seen him. Looks like a giant canary escaping a coal mine?”
Kee thought of the bright yellow exercise gear Dr. Day wore when biking and smiled.
“Yeah, that’s him.”
“I’ll put the word out, but I’m down at the worksite on the river. I’ll call FEMA. Meanwhile, you got a neighbor who could see if his car is there? Maybe check the house?”
Kee thought of Ava Hood. She lived just down the street.
“Yeah. I have someone.”
Kee