Tribal Law. Jenna Kernan

hear you two spent some quality time together. But be careful. You know the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

      Gabe spun him with one hand and hit Dryer squarely across the jaw. The DOJ field agent dropped like a stone. It took both Kino and Detective Juris to drag Gabe back. It was only after the red haze had cleared that he realized he had just struck a federal officer.

      Gabe watched Dryer shake off the blow as Gabe tried to decide if he should arrest him, cooperate with his investigation or hit him again.

      Dryer struggled to his feet. Neither Juris nor Kino lifted a hand to help him.

      “I wish I’d done that,” said Juris.

      Dryer rubbed his jaw. “That was worse than getting shot,” he said.

      Gabe glanced at Selena, feeling embarrassed now for his outburst. How much could she hear back there through the raised windows?

      She met his gaze and tried to exit the unit but found the doors locked from the outside. She was trapped. Gabe lifted a hand and she flopped back in the seat, clearly impatient with her captivity. But if what Dryer said was true, arresting her was at least a way to keep her safe.

      Gabe turned to Dryer. “Do you want to press charges?”

      Dryer cocked his head. “Against you?” He snorted. “No.”

      It was hard, but Gabe thanked him and Dryer offered his hand. The handshake was brief and halfhearted.

      “Okay,” said Dryer, as if getting back to business. “No comments about Selena. Got it. But that box truck. It can’t be mentioned in your reports or on the radio. I know Escalanti listens to the police scanner. So, no mention of the truck, the Doselas or me.”

      Gabe’s gaze flicked to the DOJ agent, wishing he could put him in a gag as well as handcuffs. “If there’s no box truck, why did I shoot Jason Leekela and an unknown gunman again?”

      “I don’t know...brandishing a weapon. Shooting at you.”

      “So you want me to lie.”

      “I want you to keep a lid on the undercover operation.”

      “In exchange for full disclosure,” said Gabe.

      Dryer considered his offer. Then qualified. “To you, only. Not to the council.”

      “I could get fired for doing that.”

      “And you could catch these guys if you do what I’m telling you.”

      Gabe didn’t like being told what to do by outsiders.

      “My brother and first officer here already know.”

      “That’s all they know from here forward, and you keep them quiet.”

      Both his men put their hands on their hips, clearly not liking that plan.

      “Deal?” Dryer offered his hand.

      Gabe thought of all the deals offered by white men to Indians and grimaced. This one didn’t seem any better.