Chapters 2 & 3 Summary

Chapter 2 begins with an introduction to the main character, Joe Leaphorn. This chapter, like all chapters in the novel, is told from a third-person point of view, this time from the point of view of Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn of the Navajo Tribal Police.

Joe Leaphorn has been a career law enforcement officer, but his wife has recently died, and he has lost interest in his job and perhaps life itself. He spends his days at home bewildered after his wife's death. On this particular day a friend, L.D. Thatcher, has asked for his assistance in investigating a possible case of grave robbing. Leaphorn knows his friend probably does not need help but rather is trying to help Leaphorn by getting him out of the house. Leaphorn agrees to accompany Thatcher anyway.

Thatcher and Leaphorn travel to Chaco Culture National Historical Park because...