Chapters 8, 9, & 10 Summary

Chapter 8 begins with Thatcher picking up Leaphorn, and the two travel to southern Utah to meet a well-known landowner and former politician, Harrison Houk. Upon meeting, both Leaphorn and Houk remember their last meeting nearly twenty years earlier. Leaphorn had assisted Houk during a time of tragedy.

During the meeting with Harrison Houk, Leaphorn and Thatcher ask many questions related to Dr. Friedman-Bernal's disappearance. In addition to large land holdings, Harrison Houk is also a dealer in valuable Native American artifacts. He has recently sold a pot matching the description of one studied by Dr. Friedman-Bernal. Houk patiently answers all questions and assures the officers that the pot was obtained legally. Leaphorn learns a few new details that he will have to verify later.

In Chapter 9, Leaphorn and Chee meet for their re-inspection of the murder scene. During the investigation of the details...