Page 63 of The Killing Plains

Carmen moved to follow, but Colly stopped her. “What’s going on?”

Carmen chewed her lip. “Jace left.”

“What—when?”

“After he saw y’all taking pictures of his truck, he loaded it up and took off—told Jolene he was sick of her and this town and everyone in it.”

“Know where he went? Any relatives or friends he’d run to?”

Carmen shook her head.

“Did he take any weapons?”

“Jace don’t go nowhere without his guns.”

Colly sighed. “What did Jolene mean when she said to ask Lowell who killed Denny?”

Carmen shrugged, looking genuinely mystified.

Colly’s head was pounding. She swayed, suddenly dizzy, and Carmen steadied her. “Should you go to the ER?”

“I want to talk to your sister.”

In the driveway, they found Avery leaning against the cruiser.

Colly glanced through the rear window. The energy of Jolene’s rage had left her. She lay slumped on her side, her stringy hair obscuring her face.

“Get anything?” Colly asked.

Avery shook her head. “She wants a lawyer.”

“You arrested her?” Carmen’s voice held an edge of panic.

“Damn straight. She attacked police with a freakin’ baseball bat.”

“Please—she’s not herself.” Carmen appealed to Colly. “Youknow what it’s like, losing a kid.”

Colly looked again at Jolene. She appeared unconscious, or asleep. “Let her go.”

Avery’s jaw dropped. “What?”

“Do it.”

Grumbling, Avery jerked the door open and removed the handcuffs.

Carmen rushed forward. She pulled Jolene from the car and half-dragged, half-carried her towards the porch steps.

“What the hell?” Avery hissed once the sisters had gone inside. “She nearly brained you.”

“She won’t be any more trouble. I don’t want to waste time getting her to the station and booking her.” Colly pulled out her phone and dialed.

Russ answered quickly. “Got Jace?”

“Put out a BOLO. He’s in the wind, and he’s armed.” Colly briefly narrated the events of the last half-hour. “Any idea why Jolene thinks Lowell knows something about Denny?” The line was silent. “Russ, you still there?”

Russ cleared his throat. “Avery said Jolene’s taking drugs.”

“I think there’s more to it than that.” Colly glanced at her watch. “I’m heading to the turbine plant.”

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