Death Walker Read Online Free PDF

too straight either. He’s been drinking, but he’s not so drunk that he’s going to beeasy to fool.”
    “You want me to take over negotiations now?”
    “Yes, your common background with this guy should give us an edge.”
    Ella nodded, picked up the phone, and identified herself by name as a police officer. “Didn’t you go to school with me at Shiprock High? It’s been a long time, but your name is really familiar. Come outside so we can talk, and get to see each other again. No one willharm you.”
    “No. Lisa’s my kid. She belongs with me and with our People. She needs to grow up like a Navajo. She needs her father.”
    “But right now you’re jeopardizing her life. That’s not what you want for her, is it?” Ella countered, keeping her tone calm.
    “The cops won’t hurt her?” Tony scoffed, his speech slightly slurred.
    “Not on purpose, no, but do you really want to take chances withher safety?”
    Silence followed for several minutes. “Are you there?” Ella asked.
    “Yeah. You say you’re Navajo and that I should trust you. But I can’t even see you. I remember Ella Destea from school, and then hearing about her after she became Ella Clah. But that woman wouldn’t hide from one of the Dineh. If you’re who you say you are, come over and talk to me. My daughter needs some food too.You can bring her and me some hamburgers. And some fries.”
    “Release Lisa first.”
    “No. But if you don’t come in, I’ll kill her and myself.”
    Ella heard the deadly intent in his voice. She had no doubt that he’d carry out his promise. “All right. Let me get the food, then I’m coming in.”
    “Unarmed. I read about what you did in L.A.”
    “All right.”
    Blalock elbowed her hard in the ribs. “Are younuts? If anything happens to you, the bureau will barbecue my butt. He’s talking murder/suicide. You know what that means. He’s hoping to make it easier on himself by goading you into killing him.”
    “No. He’s scared. I remember exactly who he is now. Tony was only a year ahead of me in high school, and not a macho type. What he’s looking for is a way out for himself and his kid.”
    While an officerraced to the fast food place down at the corner, Ella unbuckled her holster and handed Blalock her weapon. “Keep this for me.”
    “You got a backup?”
    “In my boot.”
    “Stay sharp. I don’t want you coming back out of there in a body bag,” he snapped.
    “You and me both. And think of all the reports you’d have to do by yourself.”
    He rolled his eyes and started to answer when the uniformed officer returnedwith the bag of food.
    “Here I go,” Ella said, stepping around the squad car into the open, hands out in front of her. “I’m coming in now.” She spoke loudly enough so he could hear from the house.
    “Stop!” The one word reverberated in the silence of the street.
    She froze in her tracks. “What’s the problem?”
    “Take off your boots, and leave them there in the street.”
    Ella felt her heart lodgein her throat. She hadn’t counted on this. But many guys on the Rez carried knives in their boots, and Tony was apparently not taking chances. She sat down in the street and slipped her boots off.
    “I knew this wasn’t a good idea,” she heard Blalock whisper from behind the unit. “Try to get him in front of the window or door. Our snipers need a line of sight.”
    “I’ll do my best.” Ella stood upin stockinged feet, feeling almost naked without her backup pistol. “Okay. I’m coming in now, Tony,” she yelled.
    Ella approached carefully, watching for signs of movement in the house. There’d be no room for mistakes now. As she stepped up to the front door, she heard footsteps, and a little girl about four feet tall with dark brown eyes and waist-length black hair opened the door.
    Ella smiledand handed Lisa the bag of food, then followed her in. The second she was through the door, Ella’s gaze shifted to her captor. “Hi. I’m