Page 61 of The Killing Plains

“You’re not the one with matches in your purse,” Colly said. “I switched bags before we left Houston. I must not have checked it well.”

“That’s where he got them?”

“He says so, but it’s odd. I’m always so careful.” She suddenly remembered that she had left her purse in Brenda’s van during dinner the night before. Was it possible that whoever booby-trapped the van had left the matches as well?

“Goodness, there’s no telling what’s in my old handbags,” Wanice was saying.

“Mine either.” Brenda laughed. “I’m always running late for something when I switch purses, so I never clean them out properly. Come on, Col, I’ll walk you out.”

Outside, the air was still muggy, but the sky had lightened to a pale, hazy gray, and the threat of rain seemed to have lifted.

Colly glanced at her watch. “What a day, and it’s only eleven-thirty. I’m glad you were here, Bren. From now on, I’ll frisk him every morning.” Colly chewed her lip. “I heard that fire-starting and bed-wetting are early signs of—of psychopathy. Is that true?”

Brenda shot her a quick look. “Studies do indicatesomelink between those traits and antisocial personality disorder.”

Colly’s phone buzzed again. She ignored it. “Should I be worried?”

Brenda hesitated. “Kids harm themselves for lots of reasons, Col—I’ve seen it at the clinic. When they can’t find a way to process emotional pain, they try to externalize it.”

“I know. But what do Ido?”

“Sports can be a good outlet.”

“Sunlight’s a problem, though.”

“There are indoor sports. Karate, maybe. Or bowling.”

I’m scared he’s turning into Ted Bundy, and you want him to roll a ball at some sticks?Colly thought. She remembered the pile of lighters in Denny Knox’s bedroom. Was Brenda the reason Jolene had pushed him into baseball?

“I’ll look into it.”

“I know his Houston therapist says he’s doing well, but after what happened last night, it might help to have him talk to someone here. I’d be happy to do a couple sessions with him, if you want.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Colly’s phone buzzed again. She pulled it out and saw that Russ was calling. She’d missed several calls from him, as well as a text from an unknown number.

She apologized to Brenda and answered the phone.

“Where’ve you been?” Russ demanded irritably. “I’ve been calling for fifteen minutes.”

“Emergency at school.”

His voice softened immediately. “Is Satchel okay?”

“He’s fine. What’s up?”

“Jace Hoyer was at the ranch last night—around the time we were at Willis’s cabin.”

“He’s on security footage?”

“Yep. Parked down the hill and walked towards the house. Face isn’t real clear, but it’s him, all right. Tire tracks match his truck’s.”

“Does the video show him planting the snake?”

“Brenda was parked in a blind spot. But Jace was heading that way. It’s circumstantial, but let’s talk to him.”

“Tell Avery to meet me at the Hoyers’ trailer. We’ll bring him in for an interview.”

---