Page 49 of The Killing Plains

“Lowell?” Russ looked shocked.

“He knew where I was last night, and he had plenty of opportunity.”

“Are you saying you think Lowell murdered Denny Knox?”

“I’m saying he has motive to plant that snake—I don’t know why. Until you give me an explanation, I’m bound to think the worst.”

“Lowell would never scare his own kids like that. He knew they’d be in the car.”

Colly studied his face. Once again, he’d dodged the subject of his fight with Lowell. But she could tell by the set of his jawline that it was useless to press the issue now.

“He said Iris is driving the company into the ground. What did he mean?”

“Nothing. He was drunk.”

“Seemed like more than that.”

Russ smiled tiredly. “He and Momma disagree on how to run things. Lowell’s like Dad, wants to cut costs to maximize profits. Momma likes to put money back into the business. They’ve been butting heads about it since Dad died.”

“Then why—”

“C’mon, Col, I’m too exhausted for family crap. New subject.Please.” Russ drained his cup and set it down with finality.

Colly laughed. “Sometimes you’re so much like Randy that it’s scary.” She settled back in her chair. “Tell me about the fireworks stand, then. Did Earla find anything yesterday? I didn’t get a chance to ask you last night.”

Russ brightened immediately. He told her that Earla had bagged a few cigarette butts in her search of the area. They were probably unconnected to the case, but they’d been sent for testing. The more exciting news pertained to the mysterious set of footprints identified at the scene. Earla thought they’d been left by a pair of rubber boots or possibly waders—men’s size ten.

Colly exhaled sharply. “The same as the ones around Denny’s body?”

“Maybe. We’re not sure.”

“Still, it’s interesting.” Colly brushed back an unruly strand of hair. “What about Tom Gunnell? Get anything from him?”

“Not much.” The mechanic had told Russ that, following Colly and Avery’s visit, he’d been under a truck in the repair bay all afternoon. He’d had no idea anything was going on at the fireworks stand till he heard Earla’s motorcycle arrive. He’d come out to look because, as he put it, the engine sounded interesting, and he’d been startled to see all the activity up the road.

“He seemed on the up and up,” Russ said. “No motive to lie.”

“Unless he took the baseball cap himself.”

Russ shrugged. “The girl at the desk backed his story.” There were no security cameras at Digby’s, so their statements couldn’t be verified. But both said they’d be willing to take polygraphs. “Besides,” Russ added, “Tom’s got huge feet—size thirteen, at least.”

Colly sighed. “They didn’t notice anyone loitering in the area? A customer, maybe?”

Russ shook his head. It had been a slow afternoon at the shop. Both Gunnell and the desk clerk had heard vehicles passing on the road, but since that was normal, they hadn’t paid much attention.

“Somebody had to see us find that cap, Russ. How else could it vanish?” Colly considered. “What about the salvage yard next door? Maybe someone was watching from there.”

“It was closed yesterday. A couple pit bulls guard it, according to Tom. Both him and the office girl swear they would’ve heard them bark if there were trespassers. And before you ask—no, it doesn’t have a surveillance system, either.”

“Jeez. This is modern times.”

“Not in West Texas.” Russ grinned. “But we’re not all stuck in the Dark Ages. Check this out. I was looking at it when you camein.” He swiveled the laptop towards Colly. She put on her reading glasses. On the screen was a grainy black-and-white image of an empty road in front of a squat brick building that Colly recognized as the Compass Counseling Center.

She looked up. “What’s this?”

“Composite security footage the Rangers put together—all the sightings of Denny Knox on the day he disappeared. I was reading Avery’s report on your interviews yesterday, and I got to thinking—”

“She sent you a report?”

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