Bluebird, Bluebird

Michael Wright’s body, badly bloated from the water, was discovered by a farmer on the other bank of the bayou across from the icehouse. The report by examiner Aimee Kwon shows he sustained serious trauma to his head with some type of wooden object. There were wood splinters buried deep into his skin. His blood-alcohol level was only .02, ruling out the possibility he was drunk. The report is inconclusive as to whether it was accidental or homicide, but Darren feels it confirms his suspicions of murder. He gives the details of the report to Randie as gently as possible. She becomes emotional and physically ill. Darren asks her to let him handle the investigation so she can return home to grieve. Randie refuses, claiming she will not leave until justice is served. Darren inspects the icehouse alone for her safety and has Randie drop him off in the woods nearby. He finds remnants of drug use outside. Darren associates the presence of crystal methamphetamine with the Aryan Brotherhood and collects some of the paraphernalia as evidence. He sets up a surveillance from the cover of the woods. He uses his phone to search for Geneva’s husband Joe. Joe “Petey Pie” hailed from Mississippi and became a guitar prodigy in his teens, playing in local clubs. Joe moved to Indiana and then Chicago chasing his dream to play the blues. He played in several prominent bands. Joe continued to tour and play until his 60s and was killed in 2010 in a robbery in Lark. Joe and Geneva were married for 42 years and had one son, Joe Jr., who passed away in 2013.

The bartender Lynn emerges from the door and sees Darren. She tells him to leave, or the manager Brady will punish them both. Lynn says Wally is the boss and would not want him there. Brady was the man who kicked Darren and Randie out the other night. The bartender is uneasy, and Darren thinks she may have an addiction, but she offers to give him information. Darren asks if Keith Dale is ABT and her response is not clear. Lynn did not see him Wednesday night. She says no more, but Darren tells her he will have to report the meth. Lynn swears on her kids that Keith was not there that night, but that he sometimes came in after work for a drink and to take Missy home. Lynn says Missy waited on Michael. Darren asks if she has shared this with the Sheriff, and Lynn reveals he did not question her until after Missy’s death. Van Horn had only just been there that morning. Lynn adds that people were not happy that Michael and Missy were talking, but they sat and talked for over an hour and left the icehouse together. Lynn adds that she is certain Keith did not come into the bar but may have seen Missy walking home. He asks Lynn to retrieve Wednesday’s staff schedule. Brady comes out the door and punches Darren. Darren and Brady pull their guns on one another. Keith Dale is with Brady and Brady offers him the chance to “bag” Darren (139). The men use ABT lingo. Brady says it will be for Ronnie Malvo. Darren realizes the news of Mack’s case has traveled here. Darren makes a quick move to knock Brady’s gun loose and has his gun on Brady. Keith’s hands and cheek bear marks of a recent struggle, but he curses Darren when asked about their nature. Sirens wail in the distance and Randie appears in Darren’s truck. Darren moves quickly to the truck, and they scramble to flee. Gunshots take out a mirror and one tire just as Van Horn arrives, seeing Darren behind the wheel.