The Eagle Catcher by Margaret Coel Page A

be back in his study at the mission. This was still an opportunity to get some insight into why Harvey had decided against buying the Cooley ranch and why, all of a sudden, some oil wells on the reservation had gone dry.
    The conversation focused on Harvey’s murder. Who found the body? What happened then? When was Anthony arrested? Father John ate silently while his assistant filled in the details. He even launched his hit-man theory, and Father John waited to see how he would handle the part about Harvey being killed over oil, with the oilman at the table. Father Brad finessed it brilliantly, calling the motive for the contract “Harvey’s political decisions.”
    Jasper finally turned the conversation to the Cooley ranch. “This good man here’s about to give this place away,” the oilman said, pointing a fork at Ned. “Those Indians are gettin’ the chance of a lifetime. I hope they’re grateful.”
    As if the conversation had nothing to do with him, Ned tipped his chair back and motioned to one of the waiters. “Get me another chunk of pork,” he ordered. “This here’s tough as cowhide.”
    â€œI would think your company would want a ranch with oil wells on it,” Father John said.
    â€œWe’re in the oil business, not real estate,” Jasper said, shoveling a fork full of potato salad into his mouth. He swallowed and went on. “What would we want with this enormous ranch? We’re interested in pumping oil, that’s it.”
    â€œI’ve heard there’s more profit in owning wells than in leasing them. No royalties to pay out,” Father John persisted. He remembered Anthony’s concern that an oil company would buy the ranch and put an end to any possibility of Arapahos ever getting it.
    Jasper laid his fork down and turned toward Father John. “More profit, more trouble,” he said. “Best deal is to own the mineral rights. Of course, that’s sometimes hard to get, especially around here. Oil companies can only lease wells on the reservation. Those Indians aren’t selling any rights. And Ned here’s makin’ a package deal. Ranch and mineral rights together. Hell of a deal for those Indians, I say.”
    â€œSome wells on the reservation have been closed down, I hear,” Father John went on, pushing the opportunity to find out as much as he could while the conversation was on oil wells.
    The oilman was quiet a moment, as if arranging the words in his head before speaking. “Some wells just stop paying out. It happens. That’s the oil game.”
    Jasper strung out the word “game” like a string of tobacco juice, and Father John felt a wave of disgust come over him. He fought the urge to push away from the table and head for the Toyota. This game determined whether some Arapaho families would have food this winter, or natural gas for heat, or coats for their kids. It wasn’t a game to them.
    Just then a light-gray sedan pulled into the driveway, followed by two state patrol cars and a truck with Channel 5 emblazoned on the side panels.
    â€˜The governor,” Ned said, jumping out of his chair. He strode across the lawn toward the sedan.
    The murmuring and laughter of the crowd died down as Ned ushered the governor past the tables and onto the porch. Two television cameramen stationed themselves below, right next to Father John, their cameras trained on the governor. Short and wiry in a dark, western-cut suit, he pumped Ned’s hand up and down, grinning toward the cameras. The music ended in a loud crescendo.
    Ned pulled the microphone over from the band. “Ladies and gents. We have with us here no other than the honorable governor of Wyoming. Let’s give him a big welcome.” The crowd stood up, clapping as Ned telescoped the microphone and pushed it toward the governor. Everyone sat down.
    The governor gave a short speech about how happy he was to be at