Eye of the Storm Read Online Free PDF Page A

"I would like to meet her."
    "Come back with me now," Stormwalker urged. "I'll put you up on Sunka'kan ."
    With an indulgent smile, she tapped the back of his hand as it rested on the arm of her chair. "That old thing? He's too tame for me. I have an animal of my own."
    Stormwalker grinned at her. "This is the perfect time for a visit. We can ride back together and you won't have to use smoke to tell Mike you're coming in."
    She laughed. "Can't you just see me waving a blanket over a signal fire? Now that would take more work than I have patience for."
    She packed a small duffle and they rode home with a darkening sky at their backs. A feeling they were being watched nagged at Stormwalker. He pulled gently on the reins to halt Sunka'kan . His grandmother did the same.
    The low hum of an engine filtered through the breeze-tempered silence. The saddle creaked as he dug his feet into the stirrups and raised himself up to look around.
    To the north lay two narrow lanes of asphalt that ran from east to west through the middle of the reservation. He couldn't see the road or the vehicle paralleling his course. He could have crossed the parched grassland and confronted whoever it was, but confrontation was for later. For now, the fact that someone might be following him was enough.

     

    *****

     
    On her way back to the camper, Zan glanced at the huge plate glass window built into the rear wall of the newspaper plant. Mike Eagle sat at his desk. She walked around to the front of the red brick fortress and stepped inside, making her way through the silence to his office.
    He turned to face her. "Can I help you?"
    "I came to thank you for talking to Mr. Hunter on my behalf. Why did you do it?"
    "My nephew asked me to help you. He feels it will get you to the truth faster than if I stand in your way."
    That Stormwalker had been responsible surprised her, but she said only, "I appreciate what you did."
    "There's a place here for you." He pointed to a small table beside the window. "It isn't much, but if you want to look at any of my files, there's room."  
    "And you can keep an eye on me?"
    Mike grinned. "That too." He turned back to his work.
    Zan left to interview Stormwalker's mother. She had taken an active role in his defense. Perhaps she would have answers to some of Zan's questions.
    The air had cooled. To the west, a bank of gray clouds hovered above the open prairie and jagged flashes of lightning streaked to the earth. The fading light took on an eerie yellow hue, convincing her the storm would soon reach them. She walked down the deserted street toward one of the few two-storied houses in the village. A strange tingling upset the rhythm of her pulse.
      As she came abreast of the building, measured hoof beats broke the silence. A moment later, a man on horseback emerged from the gloom. He sat easily on his mount, his body swaying with the movement of the horse, his broad shoulders relaxed and the reins draped loosely across his fingers. He and his animal seemed surrounded by a strange aura her mind told her had more to do with the approaching storm than the supernatural.
    " You looking for me?" His deep voice coaxed her from her musings.
    "I wanted to ask your mother a couple of questions, but I'll ask you."
    "You'll have to. She's at a teacher's conference in Pierre."
    Another rider halted beside him. Stormwalker dismounted and held out a hand. "Can I help you, Grandmother?"
    "Maybe next time. Today, I'm still able to manage on my own." She removed a bag from the saddle horn.
    "I'll take care of your horse," he said. "You go inside and get out of this weather."
    "Did your mother leave any food in the house?"
    "Enough to feed everyone on the rez ."
    "Good. I'll cook dinner."
    Dressed in an oversized canvas greatcoat and wide-brimmed Stetson, the woman gave Zan a brief, but intense once-over. Zan had read she was a healer and a seer and held still for the woman's examination. This first meeting would not be the last, but it