Page 28 of The Killing Plains

“Do what you can. I’ll help later.”

She kissed him quickly and returned to Russ and Avery. “Sorry about that. You were saying?”

“Wondering who took the cap.” Russ looked annoyed.

Colly frowned. “It was too rotted for someone to find it and think,Sweet, a new hat.Had to be an attempt to tamper with evidence.”

“Nobody knew about it but us,” Avery said.

“Unless someone saw you snooping around.” Russ shaded his eyes, looking up and down the road.

Colly sighed. “Let’s walk through it. We found the cap around two-fifteen, then I told Avery to get the camera and call you, Russ.” She turned to the younger woman. “Did you tell anyone else? I’m not accusing, just covering the bases.”

Avery bristled. “Only the chief.”

“I didn’t speak to a soul,” Colly said.

“You called someone about picking up your grandson.”

“Brenda? I didn’t mention the ballcap, or even where we were. You heard me.”

“I think we can clear Brenda.” Russ smiled. “I notified the evidence team, but that’s it.”

“You trust them?”

“Absolutely.”

“What about Tom Gunnell? He knew we were here. He can see this place from his shop.”

All three turned to stare down the road at Digby’s. “There’s a girl working the desk—she’d know if he left,” Avery said.

Colly nodded. “Let’s ask. Even if he didn’t take the cap, he might’ve seen someone.”

“I’ll do it,” Russ said. “It’ll make more of an impression coming from the police chief.”

He’s afraid I’ll screw it up, Colly thought. She didn’t blame him. His anger over the ballcap stung because she knew he was right. This was the Houston debacle all over again in miniature, though she didn’t know what else she could’ve done, in either case. Retiring had been the right call.

A piercing cry penetrated her gloomy reflections. “Grandma!”

“Oh, for God’s sake.” Colly turned. Satchel had put on his hat and sun-sleeves and was standing on the car’s seat, his upper body out the window.

She walked to the car. “What’s the matter now?”

“I have to pee.”

Colly sighed. “Fine, c’mon.” She led him to the opposite side of the road. “Hurry, there’s no shade.”

Satchel chewed his lip. “I don’t want anyone to see.”

“They won’t. I’ll stand guard.”

When he had finished, Colly steered him back to the car.

“Grandma, I’m starving. When are we gonna go?”

“In a few minutes.”

“But I’mstarving.”

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