24
We take a drive out of town. Collins at the wheel. He's nervous. His clutch leg jigging and fingers tapping the wheel. We head past the ranch, towards the mountains. The black shadow of the range cooks in the heat haze on the horizon. A hot desert wind blows sand from right to left across the truck.
Bugs hit the windscreen. Big things that leave a stain. Collins releases a jet of water over the windscreen and beats 'em away with the wipers.
"I told you to wait for my call," I say.
"Thought you'd skipped out on me," Collins says. "I've been waiting around all morning and half the afternoon. Janice couldn't take me pacing around the house anymore so I thought I'd come out and see what was what. But I see Darla's been keeping you busy."
I shrug off the comment. "Pull over here," I say
