Page 68 of The Killing Plains

“What about earlier, before you picked up the kids?”

Lowell looked at Russ, who cleared his throat. “He was with me. Dove season just opened. We took the day off, went hunting out at Paint Rock. Left before dawn and got back just as school let out.”

“Why Paint Rock?”

“Felt like getting away.”

Colly’s phone began to vibrate. She reached into her pocket and switched it off. “What about that evening?”

Lowell shrugged. “I put the kids to bed, then fell asleep watching Netflix.”

“You didn’t go out at any point during the night?”

“Why the hell would I?”

“Can anyone verify that?”

“I was sleeping alone, if that’s what you’re asking.” Lowell wiped his face with the bandana and stuffed it in his pocket. “Ididn’t see Denny that day. Jace neither. Hadn’t seen either of them in weeks.”

“Jace said you fired him because of Denny.”

Lowell swallowed. “This again? I explained everything to the Rangers. I got a business to run.” He put on his hard hat and turned to go.

Colly was losing patience. “It’ll waste more time if I have to drag you to the station to finish this.”

Lowell turned back, furious, but Russ cut in. “We’re almost done, Lowell. Cooperate, so we can wrap this up.”

Lowell glared at them. He pulled a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his pocket.

Colly took that as a go-ahead. “How long was Jace your plant foreman?”

“Twelve years.”

“Was he any good?”

Lowell shook a cigarette from the box and lit it. “He was an ungrateful sonofabitch, but he had his strengths.”

“Such as?”

“Whenever Momma’d come up with some bonehead idea that shot our overhead through the roof, Jace had a knack for finding ways to offset the costs. The foreman I got now ain’t half as good.” Lowell took a long drag and exhaled in Colly’s direction.

“If Jace was so talented, why’d you fire him?”

“He started taking liberties—thought the safety regs didn’t apply to him. Kept bringing that kid to the plant, even after I said not to. Distracted the workers.”

“Seems pretty minor, all things considered.”

“If a man breaks small rules, he’ll break big ones, too.”

“Like what?”

“I meant hypothetically.”

“He says you spread a rumor that he caused the turbine accident.”

“Bullshit. He’s lying.” Lowell spat a bit of loose tobacco off his tongue and glanced at the worksite. The men had finished removing the harnesses from the turbine blade and were milling around, chatting and smoking.

Lowell flicked his cigarette away. “That’s all I know. We finished yet? I’m paying those bozos by the hour.”

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