Bluebird, Bluebird

Darren awakens the next day to a call from his lieutenant Wilson who is upset Darren is in Lark. Darren should not be there, as it is out of his jurisdiction and he is on suspension. Wilson was the person who hired Darren and has been an advocate for him when others did not understand Darren’s passion for eradicating racially motivated crime. Wilson also knew Darren’s uncle William. Wilson learned of Darren’s presence in Lark because Randie called the Chicago Tribune, who in turn, called Wilson. Darren tells him his hunch that something is amiss with the local investigation of the drownings. Darren wants Wilson to reinstate him so he can conduct a proper investigation and arrange a meeting with Sheriff Parker. Darren will report to Wilson daily on his findings and complete his investigation in less than a week. Wilson hesitantly agrees to the terms. Darren also asks him about the status of the case against Mack, but there have been no further developments. Wilson warns him to proceed with restraint and caution with the local authorities and to subdue Randie’s emotional inquiries. Randie’s car is missing. Darren had her keys in his room. The motel desk clerk let her in his room overnight while he was asleep. The suspicious clerk asks Darren to leave. Darren checks the icehouse and Geneva’s for Randie’s car. Geneva sees him passing by and is not happy. He returns to the farm road FM 19 and finds Randie near the water taking photographs. She is angry with him for lying to her, but he tells her he is now able to officially investigate the crime. Darren explains the possible connection between Missy and Michael’s death. Randie wants to go with him to meet with the Sheriff.

Sheriff Parker meets with Darren at Wally Jefferson’s home. Wally’s home is a large, stately reproduction of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello close to Geneva’s restaurant. Darren is curious why the two buildings are so close together with plenty of vacant land surrounding them and why there are no livestock or crops on Wally’s land. Darren is attacked by Wally’s black lab named Butch. Wally does not appear to remember Darren from the previous day, but does know his name. Wally immediately addresses Randie telling her that no one in the town is responsible for Michael’s death. The inside of Wally’s home is nicely decorated, and his wife Laura tends to Missy Dale’s young child, Keith Jr. Wally orders his wife around and she is uneasy with the meeting in her living room. Wally reveals he is the owner of the icehouse but was not present on Wednesday when Michael was allegedly there.

Darren notes that Wally knew the day Michael was in the bar and Wally tells him the Sheriff has kept him informed of all the details. Wally sees himself as a citizen on patrol, as there is no police force in Lark. Van Horn arrives and makes it clear to Darren that he is not happy with the Ranger’s presence in town or Randie’s. Van Horn is only allowing it, so the media does not portray the town in a bad light. Darren demands copies of all reports including the autopsy. Van Horn claims the coroner has not finished the autopsy on Michael, but Darren knows he is lying. Darren also wants an autopsy report for Missy Dale. Van Horn insists the murders are not connected. Wally mentions someone in Geneva’s place concocted the story Darren is proposing. Darren and Randie argue with both the Sheriff and Wally. Wally does not give a clear answer when Darren asks him if Missy was working at the icehouse Wednesday.

All parties exchange heated words over the details of the case. Darren mentions the possibility Keith Dale is a member of the ABT. He must explain the organization to a horrified Randie. Van Horn assures them he has the group controlled and Wally says he will speak with Geneva about who has been in and out of the café. Laura tells Wally to leave Geneva alone. Wally dismisses her. Laura persists and Darren notices the odd, strained report between them. Darren reiterates his theory that Missy was killed near the icehouse, hands Van Horn his business card, and reminds him to send the autopsy.