Page 43 of The Killing Plains

“Poor lady.”

“She was a single mother, too,” Iris added. “Passing through from Oklahoma. A real tragedy.”

“Legal nightmare,” Lowell grunted. “And cost us a fortune in upgrades.”

“How do you upgrade for something like that?” Colly asked.

Lowell glowered into his bourbon and said nothing.

“We had the blades painted black,” Iris said. “Supposedly, that helps birds see them. And every turbine had to be gone over inch by inch. The Commission thought all the ice storms that year might have weakened the materials. The woman’s family sued, of course, but we managed to settle.”

“It’s been tough, but we’re out of the woods now,” Russ said with finality.

Lowell was not ready to drop the subject. “Nearly killed our bottom line—not to mention our reputation. And now, just as we’re getting back on our feet—”

“It didnotkill our reputation,” Iris said. “I won’t hear that sort of talk. Our good name saved us. But it won’t be enough if there’s a next time—which is why we need the audit.”

“Christ, Momma, we were lucky the Commission didn’t shut us down. And now you want to stir the whole mess up again? You have no clue how bad this fucking thing hurt us.” Lowell drained his glass.

“Mind your language—the children might hear you,” Iris said briskly. “Believe me, Lowell, I’m keenly aware of the damage this has done. In fact, I feel responsible for it.”

“We agree on something, then,” Lowell mumbled.

Russ turned to his mother. “How’s it your fault? Lowell’s the plant manager.”

“Yes, dear, but I’m the CEO. Since Randy and Victoria died, I haven’t been monitoring things like I should. Lowell’s tried his best, I’m sure. But—”

“Are you joking?” Lowell pulled himself unsteadily to his feet. “We’d be sunk if it weren’t for me. You put me in charge, but you won’t stop meddling. You’ve been driving this company into the ground since Dad died.”

“For God’s sake, Lowell, that’s not true, and you know it,” Russ said. “You’re making an ass of yourself.”

“Right, I’m the ass, while you suck up to Momma and get all theattaboys. Let me tell you, Russ—I’m the reason you keep getting those nice, fat checks, so you can afford to run around playing cops and robbers.” Lowell was growing increasingly agitated and had begun to pace unevenly on the flagstones.

He’s going to fall in the pool,Colly thought.Which might not be a bad thing.

In the chair beside her, Brenda was showing signs of growing irritation. “Russ is right, Lowell. You’re drunk, and you’ve beenspoiling for a fight all evening. Why don’t you sit down and try taking a few deep breaths?”

Lowell wheeled on her. “Why don’t you try minding your own goddamn business?”

Brenda stood, her arms stiff at her sides. “It is my business when you’re screaming and cursing like a lunatic thirty feet from our children. Will youpleasekeep your voice down?”

Lowell laughed. “You didn’t seem too worried about the kids when you were running all over town spreading your legs for your boss.”

“Who can blame me, considering what was waiting at home?” Brenda’s voice shook with fury. “I don’t belong to you—I never did.”

“You little whore.” Lowell’s face and neck were dark red and wet with sweat. He took two stumbling steps towards his ex-wife, but Russ leapt from his chair and intercepted him, spinning him deftly around.

“All right, buddy, that’s enough. Let’s take a walk.”

For a second, Lowell resisted. But Russ held firm and finally managed to half-coax, half-frogmarch him down the path towards the tennis courts.

On the patio, no one moved or spoke. Colly’s chest ached, and she realized she’d been holding her breath. She exhaled slowly.

Finally, Iris stirred. “And here I was, congratulating myself on how smoothly dinner went.” She managed a wan smile at no one in particular. “You’ll have to excuse Lowell. He’s been under enormous pressure these past few months.”

Brenda stared. “You’re joking.”

Fearing a new outburst, Colly said quickly, “It’s getting late. We should get the kids home.”

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