2. According to the friend of West that Chee interviews, why did Johnson stay parked away from the prison long after he and West were finished talking?

3. As Chee flees from his trailer where two men were waiting for him, whom does Chee think the two men may have been?

4. After returning to his office, why does Chee call the trading post at Teec Nos Pos?

5. When Chee and Musket's mother introduce themselves, what information do they share?

6. According to Chee's conversation with the old Hopi, what would Chee do if he wanted to help the guardian of the shrine?

7. How does Chee decide to ensure that Miss Pauling has access to the switchboard at the Hopi Cultural Center motel when Gaines's call comes in?

8. When Chee phones Dashee to ask about the missing drugs, what does Dashee tell Chee?

9. How does Mr. Armijo describe the person that Chee goes to the prison to find out about?

10. How was Thomas West killed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the course of the novel, Hopi and Navajo traditions abound. In fact, these traditions and rituals become a main reason behind the story's plot. Identify at least three different Hopi or Navajo traditions that impacted the plot and the lives of the characters involved in the story. For each instance, describe the ritual, the characters involved, and how the Hopi or Navajo traditions impacted the story's plot. How might the story have been different if these traditions had not been a part of the plot? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

Hillerman uses this story to examine the role that truth plays in our daily lives. Examine the author's beliefs through his storytelling. Why would the author choose this story to overlay his demonstration of the consequences realized when the truth is distorted or hidden? What did you learn from the author's discussion on truth? What other avenues, if any, could the author have used to express his beliefs? Would those avenues have been as effective as the story? Why or why not?