Chapter 9 Summary: Leaphorn’s Request and Chee’s Discovery
Spoiler Notice
This summary contains detailed information from Chapter 9 of Lost Birds by Anne Hillerman. If you haven’t read the chapter, proceed with caution.
Summary
Leaphorn calls Jim Chee during a Saturday workshop on law enforcement regulations, which Chee finds tedious but attends as part of his promotion to lieutenant. Leaphorn asks Chee to run a background check on Stella Brown’s deceased adoptive parents, Stan and Rita Brown, because her birth certificate appears forged and the Browns avoided having their photographs taken. Stella believes she may be a “lost bird”—a Native child removed from her family by the government or private agencies.
Leaphorn also tells Chee about the explosion at Eagle Roost School, where his client Cecil Bowlegs works. Chee mentions that his wife Bernie is helping investigate the blast because of her explosives training. Leaphorn tries to follow up with authorities but gets no response.
Driving home, Leaphorn reflects on the possibility that Stella’s birth mother may have been hospitalized or underage, leading to a falsified birth certificate. At home, he finds Louisa with Erlinda (Lin), Kory’s wife, who has been crying. Louisa asks for privacy, so Leaphorn retreats to his desk. He finds an email from Will Royce with copies of records requests concerning Stella’s adoption and forwards it to her.
Chee, still at the workshop, searches for information on the Browns but finds no public records before Stella entered first grade. He texts Leaphorn for a photo, and the lieutenant sends an old image of a Navajo couple at Elephant Feet buttes holding a baby. The photo seems familiar to Chee, reminding him of a book of environmental portraits of Navajo people at iconic sites.
After the workshop, Chee visits the tribal library in Window Rock. He shows the photo to librarian Eleanor and director George Haskie, who recalls a limited-edition book with similar photos. The book is kept in a locked case, but the archivist with the key is absent until Monday. Haskie offers to help Leaphorn access the book next week. Chee tries to visit Leaphorn but Louisa declines, so he decides to email him later. Chee drives back to Shiprock via Narbona Pass, enjoying the scenery, and learns no more about the Eagle Roost explosion until he reaches the station.
Key Events
- Leaphorn phones Chee and requests a background check on Stella Brown’s adoptive parents.
- Chee agrees to help and begins researching the Browns, finding no records prior to Stella’s first grade.
- Leaphorn shares the old Elephant Feet photo with Chee, which Chee finds familiar.
- Leaphorn arrives home to find Louisa with Erlinda, Kory’s wife, and grants them privacy.
- Chee attends a workshop on law enforcement regulations and mentally drifts toward the adoption case.
- At the tribal library, Chee shows the photo to Haskie, who identifies a related book but cannot access it until Monday.
- Chee drives back to Shiprock, taking Narbona Pass, and still lacks updates on the Eagle Roost explosion.
Character Development
- Joe Leaphorn: Uses his network and intuition to start a parallel investigation into Stella’s adoption. His concern for others (Cecil Bowlegs, Louisa) shows his protective side. He adapts to technology by texting with Chee.
- Jim Chee: Balances his new administrative duties with fieldwork instincts. He uses methodical research and memory to pursue the photo clue. His respect for Leaphorn and Navajo culture guides his actions.
- Louisa: Deals with a difficult family situation involving her son Kory and his wife Erlinda, showing her private struggles.
- Erlinda (Lin): Introduced as Kory’s wife, visibly upset; her presence deepens the domestic subplot.
- George Haskie: Helpful librarian who recognizes the book, representing institutional knowledge and the value of preserving Navajo resources.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Lost Birds: The term directly defines the removal of Native children from their families, framing Stella’s identity search within a larger historical injustice.
- Photography as Clue: The Elephant Feet photo serves as a tangible link to Stella’s birth family. Its artistic style hints at a professional photographer, leading to a book series.
- Bureaucracy vs. Determination: Leaphorn and Chee must navigate regulations, locked archives, and unresponsive agencies to uncover the truth.
- Balance of Personal and Professional: Leaphorn balances his investigation with his home life, while Chee juggles a tedious workshop with his detective work.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter advances the adoption mystery by linking Stella’s photo to a published book, offering a tangible lead. It also weaves together the Eagle Roost explosion subplot with the main investigation, suggesting connections may emerge. Chee’s promotion and new responsibilities are tested as he works around bureaucratic obstacles, and the library scene underscores the importance of Navajo cultural preservation. The introduction of Erlinda hints at personal challenges for Louisa and Leaphorn.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What evidence makes Leaphorn suspect Stella’s birth certificate is fraudulent? She asked why the Browns always avoided photographs, and the birth certificate states she was born in a hospital, whereas most Navajo babies her age were born at home.
2. How does Chee assist Leaphorn’s investigation during the workshop? Chee searches public records for the Browns, finds nothing before Stella entered first grade, requests the old photo, and later visits the tribal library to trace the image to a book.
3. Why can’t Chee or Haskie access the book of environmental portraits immediately? The book is kept in a locked case in the library’s special collections; the only key is held by the archivist, who does not work on Saturdays.