Henry - The HoneyBadger A Nose for Murder (eBook)

Chapter 1

Henry arrived a quarter hour early for his appointment at the Diné Restaurant in Window Rock, Arizona. He chose a corner table with a clear view of the front door and parking lot, and sat with his back to the wall.

While he waited, he took in the scents of the food other diners were eating. As everyone knows, honey badgers have an extraordinary sense of smell, and Henry savored the tantalizing aroma of mutton stew and Navajo fry bread.

At exactly nine o’clock, a white Navajo Nation Police SUV pulled into the parking lot and backed into a space close to the entrance. Two men got out. The lieutenant was an older man with close cropped gray hair. The sergeant was younger, tall, lean and black-haired. The two police officers entered the restaurant and looked around. The younger one spotted Henry and pointed him out. The two made their way to Henry’s table. As they got close, Henry raised his right paw and said, “Yá’át’ééh.”

The younger man said, “Yá’át’ééh, Henry. It’s good to see you again.”

The older man said, “Yá’át’ééh, Henry. I’m grateful for you coming all the way here from Africa to help us out.”

Henry said, “That’s what friends are for, lieutenant. You said it was a tough case.”

He said, “It’s been very tough. Very tough and very important. Gertrude Tsosie was expecting her grandfather for dinner, and when he didn’t show up, she asked her son to drive out to check on him. She couldn’t call him because Hosteen Yazzie lived way out where there is no cell coverage. In any case, he didn’t have a cell phone. When the son got out to the old man’s place, he found him lying by the side of his hogan, dead from a blow to the back of his head.”

The sergeant said, “Hosteen Yazzie was a revered figure. He was one hundred and one years-old and had been a Marine Corps Code Talker in World War Two. He was in good health and still drove his fifty year-old pickup, although very, very slowly.”

Henry said, “Any idea why he was killed, or who did it?”

The sergeant said, “No. He had no known enemies and lived by himself in a remote part of the res.”

The lieutenant said, “We called Sherlock Holmes and he came over to investigate. So did Miss Marple and Adam Dalgliesh, but they came up with nothing.”

Henry said, “Those three are excellent detectives, but they don’t have my nose. I’ve had to solve quite a few cases that left them stumped.”

The lieutenant said, “We’re stumped, too. And that’s why we called you, Henry. As everyone knows, you’re the best.”

Henry bowed. “It’s hard to be humble.”

The sergeant said, “Is your fee the same?”

Henry said, “For old friends like you guys, sure. One case of Spam per day.”

*****

Dawn came to the Heifer Boma in the wild bush country of the Northern District of the tiny African republic of Malinda. Henry was still fast asleep when Marea Thembekile awakened and slipped silently outside for her morning routine of prayer, meditation and gardening. A few minutes later, Dr. Patti the Stewardess arose and joined her.

Marea said, “Henry was talking in his sleep again.”

Patti said, “What was he saying this time?”

Marea said, “He said, ‘I’ll have two orders of mutton stew with Navajo fry bread and a side order of Spam.’ Then, he mumbled for a while and said, ‘No, I don’t think the murderer is a skinwalker, but I want to examine that sandwich carefully. It could be that he’s a shapeshifter.’”

Patti said, “He’s been binge listening to Tony Hillerman Navajo police mysteries on my iPad. It keeps him entertained and lets him rest. He still doesn’t appreciate how serious his gunshot wound was. He’s not a big animal, and he took a bullet from a .416 Rigby. It ripped open his belly, but miraculously didn’t touch vital organs. If Theo Nabale hadn’t given him first aid, Henry would likely be dead.”

Marea said, “Henry told Cassandra that he’s decided to change careers and be a consulting detective.”

Patti said, “He got hooked on Sherlock Holmes, but he said England is too cold and rainy, and he prefers to work in a warmer, drier climate. Last night, he told me he was helping the Navajo Nation Police solve an important murder case.”

*****

Mercy Botshelo awakened to the familiar sounds of the little town of Nyati coming to life. The Busy Buffalo Bakery was open, and she decided to buy some breakfast bread. On the way, her phone rang. It was Patti the Stewardess.

“Dumela, doctor.”

“Dumela, Mercy. I apologize for calling you so early, but Henry asked me to call. He wants to talk to you.”

Patti put the call on speaker.

“Dumela, mma. This is Henry speaking, and I have a great favor to ask. Will you help me?”

Mercy said, “Dumela, Henry. Of course, I will help you if I can. What is it you need?”

Henry said, “I’m working as a consulting detective on a murder case on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico.”

Mercy was surprised. “Really?”

Henry said, “Yeah, really. A couple of old friends on the Navajo Nation Police were stumped and asked me to help.”

Mercy said, “I didn’t know you had friends there. I don’t know how I can help you.”

Henry said, “Remember when we all went to the United States on the jet that Uncle Deke rented?”

Mercy said, “Of course. It was a wonderful trip and a great experience.”

Henry said, “Yeah, it sure was. We honey badgers call it ‘study abroad.’ Do you remember the flute you bought?”

Mercy said, “Of course. David bought it for me in Canyon de Chelly on the Navajo Reservation. I play it every day. Why do you ask?”

Henry said, “I think it is always helpful for a consulting detective to immerse himself in the culture of the victim of a crime. And I would be happy to pay you a can of Spam to play your Navajo flute while I contemplate the particularities of the case at hand.”

Mercy said, “Of course, Henry. I’d be delighted to play. But there’s no need to pay me. We’re friends.”

Henry said, “Au contraire, there is a need to pay you. I’m a professional consulting detective pulling down a cool case of Spam a day. I like to spread the wealth around.”

Mercy laughed. “Then, I guess getting paid will make me a professional musician. When would you like me to play for you?”

Henry said, “Maybe later today, if that’s okay. I’m getting really bored out here at the Heifer Boma and feel the need for a little socialization. I thought I’d drop by Nyati and see how Mma Olabumba is doing. I’ll also check in with Chief Inspector Richardson to see if he has a case he needs my help with. Doctor Patti said she’d drop me off in town.”

When the call ended, Henry said to Patti, “Thanks, doc. Go enjoy your breakfast with Marea and Mma Christiaan. I’ll prowl around outside looking for little crawly things to eat.”

Cassandra joined them at the table. Her long dark hair was brushed and shiny. She wore a dark red sleeveless dress that Miriam had made for her at The Little Dress Shop.

Marea said, “You look lovely, Cassandra. When is Riley coming?”

Cassandra said, “He said he’d leave Maatlamotse around eight o’clock, so he should be here a little after ten.”

Patti said, “I suspect that the major was up well before dawn and could arrive at any time.”

Elspeth said, “Cassandra, dear child, I believe Patti is correct. You were stirring well before sunrise. I have no doubt Major Riley is as excited as you are.”

Marea said, “It’s not every day that a man takes a woman to buy her a ring.”

Cassandra said, “I’m still a little overwhelmed. I’m thirty years old and never even had a boyfriend. I wasn’t what boys considered pretty, so…”

Elspeth cut her off. “Dear child, boys might not consider you pretty, but a real man would consider you beautiful.”

Patti said, “Very beautiful.”

Marea said, “Riley used the word ‘magnificent.’”

Elspeth said, “And Major Riley is a real man.”

Henry hurried back inside. As everyone knows, honey badgers have extraordinary hearing, and as a Long Range Reconnaissance Honey Badger, Henry had learned to identify the aural signatures of a variety of vehicles. He bowed to Cassandra and said, “Hark! A Jeep Rubicon ‘cross yonder plain approaches. Your love slave is about ten minutes out.”

*****

Miriam Richardson awakened to find Cecil propped up on one elbow, gazing at her and smiling. It was not an uncommon experience.

“Good morning, inspector.”

“Good morning, my dear wife.”

She said, “How long have you been awake?”

He said, “I haven’t got the foggiest idea. A whole day beholding your beauty would seem no longer than an...