Page 44 of The Killing Plains

Brenda turned. “I need a minute to clear my head.” Sniffling, she walked away into the darkness.

Across the patio, Iris brushed a bit of invisible dirt off her linen slacks. “Well,” was all she said.

“And then there were three.” Talford seemed cheerfully unfazed. He reached out to pat the back of Iris’s hand. “Are you all right, my dear?”

“Certainly. Lowell’s hot-tempered, but he always comes around.” Iris spoke brightly.Too brightly, Colly thought. She felt a sudden twinge of pity for her mother-in-law.

Talford produced a pocket watch and flipped it open. “Colly’s right, it’s late. I should push off.” He stood, buttoning his sport coat. “Unless you need me to stay.”

“I’m perfectly fine. I apologize for the scene. We were doing so well, until the end.”

“These things happen. Families are like powder kegs—the slightest spark and everything goeskaboom.” Talford sketched an explosion in the air, then bent to kiss Iris’s cheek. “See you Wednesday, for dancing?”

Iris reached up and held his face briefly in her hands. “I wouldn’t miss it,” she whispered fiercely.

Looking on, Colly thought it was the most authentically human gesture she’d ever seen her mother-in-law make.

Chapter 13

An uncomfortable silence descended over the patio. Somewhere in the crape myrtles, an early cricket chirped fitfully.

And then there were two,Colly thought. All evening, she’d been hoping for a chance to question Iris about the case, but now didn’t seem like the right time.

She stood. “I think I’ll check on the kids.”

Iris, who had been staring absently at the flagstones, looked up and seemed surprised to find anyone there. “All right, dear. I’ll come with you.”

In the den, they discovered Alice curled on the sofa watching a nature documentary as the three younger children slept on floor-pillows.

“They conked out right after dinner.” Alice grinned. “Between the riding and the swimming, they were beat.”

“You were sweet to entertain them.” Colly glanced around. “I’d like to pay you for your time. Let me grab my purse—it’s in the car.”

“No way, Aunt Colly. I had a blast.” Alice consulted the mantel clock. “I better run, though—I have a little more homework.”

When Alice had gone, Colly turned to Iris. “I’ll get the kids ready. Wonder where their shoes are?”

Iris laid a hand on her arm. “One minute, dear, I’d like a word.”

She led Colly into the dining room. The faint odor of yeast rolls still hung in the air, but the table had been cleared and a Delftware vase of crimson tulips placed in its center.

“It’s more private here,” Iris said.

“What’s up?” Colly asked uneasily.

“I’m concerned about Satchel. When I helped him put on his bathing suit tonight, I noticed quite a few small scars on his thighs and shoulders.”

Colly straightened. “Yes, I know. Those are burns. They’re self-inflicted.”

Iris covered her mouth with one hand. “Why would he—? How was he permitted?”

“He wasn’tpermitted, Iris, but he’s clever,” Colly snapped. “Ever tried completely eliminating heat sources from your home? You get rid of matches and lighters, but there’s still the stove, the iron, the barbecue. His therapist says self-harming’s not uncommon in traumatized kids.”

“But surely more can be done? Medication—a new environment, perhaps? He was saying just tonight how much he loves the ranch. I know it’s been overwhelming for you these past couple of years, looking after Satchel when you’re coping with your own trauma.”

Colly went rigid. “I’m fine. And while we’re on the subject—in the future, please don’t tell Satchel he can spend the summer here without checking—” She heard a noise.

Russ was watching them from the archway. “Everything all right?”

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