She took a sip, and opened the paper to the front page. The headline read:
FIRED RANGER RESCUES WOUNDED GAME AND FISH OFFICER
Kevin Kerney, a ranger fired yesterday from his job with the Forest Service, rescued Game and Fish Officer James Stiles, who had been shot by an unknown assailant while investigating the murder of Hector Padilla, a Mexican national.
According to the Catron County sheriff, Omar Gatewood, Kerney found Stiles, administered first aid, and carried him out of a remote canyon in the Mangas Mountains north of Reserve to a waiting helicopter.
Stiles, who was wounded in the arm, face and left eye, was airlifted to the Gila Regional Medical Center, where he is listed in satisfactory condition.
According to Dr. Harrison Walker, attending physician. Officer Stiles will make a complete recovery from his wounds. Walker credits Kerney for responding in a "timely and appropriate manner," and for "possibly saving Officer Stiles' life."
Kerney, who was released from his position with the Forest Service because of his appointment as a special investigator with the district attorney's office, served as the chief of detectives for the Santa Fe Police Department until a gun battle left him seriously wounded and forced him into retirement.
Kerney was fired from the Forest Service after having been enlisted by Assistant District Attorney Karen Cox to assist in the inquiry into the murder of Hector Padilla. Acting Regional Forester Samuel Aldrich released a press statement from his Albuquerque office saying "the investigation of a murder is not an appropriate function for Forest Service personnel. We regret having to terminate Mr. Kerney's temporary employment sooner than planned, but are pleased that he's now free to pursue his investigation for the district attorney's office without distraction."
Sheriff Gatewood, who commissioned Stiles to help his department investigate the Padilla murder, has announced that Stiles will receive special commendations for bravery from his office and the state Game and Fish Department. Stiles, Gatewood said, will continue to hold a commission with the sheriff's department until the murder of Padilla is solved. There are no suspects or new developments in the case, but police believe that the murder of Padilla and the wounding of Officer Stiles may be linked.
Last year, Kerney was praised by Dona Ana County Sheriff Andy Baca for solving the case of a murdered soldier at White Sands Missile Range and recovering historical artifacts stolen from the military installation.
Kerney was serving as a lieutenant in the department at the time.
Carol Cassidy, supervisor of the Luna District Office, said that Kerney's performance on the job had been "exemplary." Assistant District Attorney Cox, who was recently appointed to her position, has not yet issued a statement. Attempts to reach Kevin Kerney for comment have been unsuccessful.
Coffee forgotten, she quickly scanned the related articles. Kerney deserved a hell of a lot better treatment than he was getting, she thought soberly.
He had no choice but to turn in the commission card. The state law was very clear: without a full-time salaried law-enforcement job, Kerney could not legally serve as a special investigator.
He was now simply a civilian with no police powers. *** Edgar Cox walked between his wife and daughter into the bright midmorning sun, his mind racing. The lump in his wife's breast was cancerous, of that the doctor was certain. The fact had stunned Edgar into silence. Margaret and Karen had asked all the questions during the consultation, while Edgar looked on blankly. He had listened to the discussion with a feeling of unreality as the doctor recommended a mastectomy. Margaret had put on her reading glasses, and with handwritten notes taken from her purse, had begun asking questions: good, solid inquiries about alternative treatments and less intrusive procedures.
Edgar had been amazed by her rock-solid performance.
She was tough as nails. The meeting had ended with Margaret agreeing to the operation as soon as possible.
Margaret stopped and looked up at him.
"You've been very quiet."
"I know. Sorry."
"Tell me what you're thinking," Margaret prodded.
"You're one tough cookie," Edgar replied, placing his arm around his wife's waist.
Margaret laughed and leaned against him.
"Are you just finding that out?"
"No, I knew it the day I met you."
"How do you feel about the operation?"
"Scared," Edgar answered.
"I don't want you to have to go through this."
"I'll be fine."
"Promise?"
Margaret nodded solemnly.
"Promise."
"That's good enough for me," Edgar said, hugging Margaret. He looked at Karen.
"How about you, Peanut? Think all this is going to work out?"
Karen forced a smile, trying to dispel the worry in her father's eyes.
"I think Mom's going to be with us for a very long time."
He reached for his daughter and pulled her close.
He felt her stiffen and looked down at her. Karen's expression was one of frank appraisal as she scanned his face. He had never seen that look from her before.
"God, I hope so," Edgar said.
Amador poked a finger under his T-shirt and scratched his belly button.
"I feel bad about what happened to Jimmy. Almost like it was my fault."
"Somebody was waiting for him at the mine," Kerney countered.
"Did you tell anyone else about the ATV tracks in the canyon?"
Using the same finger, Amador scratched under his lower lip and used his chin to point in the direction of his crew. The four men were at the back of the maintenance building, restocking construction materials and cleaning tools.
"We all saw the tracks," Amador replied.
"It wasn't a big deal or anything like that. A lot of people use off-road vehicles to get into the mountains.
I didn't even think about it until after the murder up on the meadows.
Then, when I remembered it, I thought it might be important."
Kerney restated: "Did you tell anybody about your suspicions, before or after you talked to Jim?"
"No. I was off yesterday. I just stayed at home working around the house. Didn't see anybody to talk to, except the family. Why are you asking me these questions? Shouldn't you be out looking for a job?"
"Do my questions bother you?" Kerney countered.
"It's no skin off my nose, but you're wasting your time. You got no job, no authority. So why push it? It ain't gonna make you any friends, not that you have any I know of."
Kerney shrugged.
"You're Henry Lujan's uncle.
Tell me about him. Is he having any kind of problems at college? Money worries, perhaps?"
Amador got red in the face.
"Madre de Dios, are you out in left field. If you think Henry's got anything to do with this, you're crazy."
"Everything's okay with Henry? Is that what you're saying?"
"I'm not saying anything," Amador corrected. He pointed at a small man with a receding hairline who was restacking plywood.
"That's Steve Lujan. Henry's father. Maybe he'll talk to you, maybe he won't.
But don't do it on my time, while he's working."
"What's the problem, Amador?"
"I don't have a problem, you do," he snorted, looking up at the gringo.
"Poking around in other people's business isn't healthy. You get my meaning?"
"It's been fun working with you, Amador. Thanks for all the help."
"Screw you," Amador replied.