Whispering Spirits by Rita Karnopp Page B

Jordan’s birthday. I barely tolerated
him.”
    “You think he was involved with Jordan’s
murder?”
    “I wouldn’t put it past him. He didn’t have a
job and he sponged off all his family and friends. Then about six
months ago it seemed he had money for everything. Jordan and I both
thought he was dealing drugs. We weren’t sure.”
    Running Crane motioned for her to sit on the
rabbit rugs. He opened a cooler and pulled out two bottles of Bliss
white raspberry water, then sat next to her.
    “Thanks, you have no idea how good this looks
to me.”
    “Help yourself if you’re ever in need.” He
took several swallows of water, then said, “Why do you think your
grandmother needs protection?”
    “The killer is looking for something Jordan
had…I don’t have a clue what that is. But I received a threat to
leave Missoula and go back to the res where I’ll be safe.” She
paused and looked up at him.
    “There’s more, isn’t there? I can tell you
aren’t sure you can trust me. Let me say this, I read the police
report on Jordan’s murder. There are a lot of things that just
don’t add up. Detective Buggeta contacted me and…asked if I would
keep an eye on you. He doesn’t believe you have a clue what’s going
on or why Jordan was killed. He does believe your life’s in
danger.”
    “So you worked your way into Nah’ah’s confidence and got hired to protect us?”
    “That’s one way of putting it. I’m going to
confide in you…I have reason to believe Joshua and possibly Jordan
were involved in smuggling and selling Native American artifacts.
It’s surprising how many private collectors there still are out
there. There are numerous sacred Blackfeet artifacts that were
taken by unscrupulous explorers and illegally obtained by museums.
Even soldiers managed to take souvenirs that are now valuable
artifacts. These were never returned to the Blackfeet people,
instead they are kept by ranchers and families…handed down
generation to generation without even realizing the value to the
People. Several of these home collections have been stolen and sold
for outrageous amounts on the black market.”
    “I don’t believe Jordan had anything to do
with that.”
    “Did he ever ask you about families you knew
in Browning that had sacred artifacts from the old ones. Maybe
those who still might have sacred medicine bundles, like Nah’ah ?”
    “No…you think the only reason he was dating
me was for information on the Blackfeet?”
    “I’m not saying that…I just wondered if the
subject ever came up.” Summer had been hurt by recent events; he
hated prodding her for information.
    “I understand these sacred artifacts nurture
spiritual life and enhance spiritual understanding, but selling
them on the black market…how does someone do that? Unless your
artifacts fit in a thin computer case, I doubt your theory is
right.”
    “Arrowhead collections would?”
    “What?”
    “A computer case would be perfect to
transport arrowhead collections and even knives, small arms, and I
guess the list could go on and on, because anything small would
transport easily. Who would even think Native artifacts would be
nestled inside a computer case or bag?”
    “You really think that’s what this is all
about? It’s worth killing over?”
    Running Crane drank more water and leaned
back on his elbows. “Maybe you read or heard about the Blackfeet
sacred artifacts that were the topic of negotiations between a
provincial museum in Canada and Blackfeet Indians from Montana in
1990. A sculptor in Montana sold a bundle of sacred tribal
artifacts for over one point one million. The collection had been a
part of his private museum. So you see, there is ridiculous value
in Native artifacts.”
    “I never would have guessed. But I’m telling
you right now, Running Crane, I don’t know a thing about dealing in
stolen artifacts. Jordan wouldn’t have either.”
    “You ought to give that some thought. Think
back to