Page 83 of The Killing Plains

“Never made a peep. Just swept the flashlight back and forth in my direction, slow and methodical, like he was hunting for me. Gimme the willies.”

“Did he see you?”

“Dunno. I dove behind one of them big junipers by the drive and hightailed it back to my truck.”

“And then—?”

“Then nothin’. I went home. Jolene was still asleep. Never knew I left.”

“That’s the whole story?”

“Yup.”

Colly studied his face. He seemed to be telling the truth. As she contemplated her next question, she felt a vibration in her pocket and heard a faint mechanical chirp.

“Must be back in range,” Avery said.

Colly pulled out her phone. There was a text from Russ:At hospital. Will call soon.

She had also missed a call from Brenda. School had been out for nearly thirty minutes. In the excitement of the past two hours, she’d lost track of time. Cursing softly, she hit redial.

When Brenda answered, Colly apologized and explained. Could Brenda possibly watch Satchel till Colly got back to town? Brenda hesitated. She had to get her own kids to baseball and ballet, but she’d take Satchel with her. He could hang out at the clinic while she did paperwork, and Colly could pick him up there.

“Is he upset?” Colly asked.

Another hesitation. In the background, Colly could hear children’s voices.

“A little. Let’s talk later.”

Colly thanked her and hung up. “Shit.”

Avery looked at her questioningly, but Colly shook her head.

“Any news on Jolene?” Jace was leaning forward, his face lined with worry.

“Not yet. When our interview’s finished, I’ll call the hospital.”

“I told you everything.”

“I want to hear the real reason you were fired.”

Jace sat back and crossed his arms. His earlier mood of eager capitulation had vanished. “I bet you do.”

Colly sighed. “I know you think I’m part of some plot to frame you. But honestly, I don’t give a crap about clearing Willis’s name. He may be family, but he was a pedophile.”

“Then why’re you here?”

Colly stiffened defensively but forced herself to relax. Vulnerability with a suspect was sometimes more effective than confrontation. But it was much more difficult.

“Because of guilt, if I’m honest,” she said after a moment.

“That business in Houston?”

Colly nodded. “I cut some corners, and Russ lost his brother. When he asked me to review Denny’s case, I thought I owed him that much. But I’m not here to play along with any Newland PR campaign.”

Jace was watching her through narrowed eyes. “If I incriminate myself, do I get immunity?”

“That’s not my call. But I promise things will go better for you if you cooperate.”

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