Page 16 of The Killing Plains

“Not now. Maybe after I’ve read the whole file.” Colly paused. “Where exactly was Adam’s body found in ’98?”

Russ lowered his voice. “Where Avery’s sitting—under that tree.”

Colly watched her for a moment. “I don’t know about having her help me with the review, Russ. She’s got a huge chip on her shoulder.”

“You would, too, if you’d had her luck.”

“Mine hasn’t been exactly stellar.”

“I’m just saying there’s reasons she’s rough around the edges. Apart from losing her mom and brother, her dad was mean as they come.”

“She’s got some problem with me, and I just met her.”

“Misguided loyalty, I expect.”

“She blames me for getting your brother killed?”

“If it turns into a problem, I’ll talk to her. She wants to be a big-city detective someday, but she needs experience.”

“I’m not here to be someone’s life coach.”

“But you’re going to need help. Avery’s smart, and she’s getting pretty good as a crime scene photographer.” He laid a hand on Colly’s shoulder. “Give her a chance, maybe reach out a little bit.”

Colly squinted up at him. “Russ, if there’s something going on between you and her, I need to know.”

Russ’s eyes widened, and he laughed. “She’s half my age, Col. I’m trying to help her make something of herself, that’s all.” He put on his hat. “I’m starved. Want to grab some gorditas on the way back? There’s a great food truck.”

His words sounded forced, Colly thought. But it was hard to say whether he was lying or simply embarrassed by her question.

She decided to let it go, for now. “Gorditas sound great. Then, I’d like to see that counseling center.”

“Sure thing. Avery’ll take you.”

As the three of them made the hot trek back up the cow path to the SUV, Colly, walking behind Avery, studied her closely. She seemed more subdued now, her thin shoulders slumped, staring at the ground as she walked. But the hand that gripped the camera’s strap was clenched, and her jaw was set in a hard, bitter line. As she climbed into the car, her uniform collar gaped, and in the full sunlight, Colly saw that the pale blotch on her face and neck was not a birthmark but the welted scar of a deep, long-healed burn.

Chapter 5

Outside the Courthouse, Colly followed Avery to one of the cruisers and waited nervously while she unlocked it. Colly had offered to take her own car to the counseling center, but Russ had waved her off.

“People will cooperate better if you turn up in a squad car.”

During her career, Colly had developed a cynical view of young drivers, and Avery’s purple-streaked hair and aura of barely suppressed rage did nothing to improve her expectations. Sliding into the passenger’s seat, she was startled and mildly amused, therefore, to see the girl adjust the mirrors and test the tension of her shoulder harness with care before pulling gingerly out of the lot.

“You said you don’t think Willis killed your brother,” Colly said as they headed east on Market Street. “Can I ask why?”

Avery’s sullen expression vanished. “Because it doesn’t make sense.”

She’s been waiting for that question, Colly thought. “How so?”

“Willis couldn’t drive. How would he get Adam to the stock pond? Plus, the chains and gas can used in the crime came from our toolshed.” Avery tugged absently at her collar, pulling it higher on her neck.

“You think the perpetrator knew your family’s property?”

“Must have. There was no forced entry to the house, either. Investigators thought Adam probably knew the killer.”

They stopped at a traffic light. Outside, a woman in a dingy apron emerged from the Blue Moon Saloon to sweep the sidewalk. Colly nodded, and the woman stopped sweeping to stare.

“Maybe your brother was friendly with Willis from church or somewhere.”

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