“The girl’s,” Lillie said. “Turned out to be a real hero himself. Drove himself off a bridge and into a creek when that girl was little. Her brother had a different daddy altogether, but don’t ask me his name. They’re just the Byrds, keeping that same family tradition going from a hundred years back.”

“And what’s that?”

“Town fuckups,” Lillie said. “Gina could’ve been different. She wasn’t like all the rest.”

“And her daughter?”

“Meaner than a damn snake,” Lillie said. “I can’t recall how many times I had to make a call on their trailer after she and her momma got into it. One time, she beat up Gina pretty good, bloodied her momma’s nose and left bruises all over that poor woman. TJ fought me, too. Kicking and scratching, while I dragged her out by her damn ear. Something’s wrong with that girl. So much meanness. I heard she and that boy Ladarius McCade sure made a pair. He got her into boosting cars and trucks, smash and grabs, and house break-ins. He’s been in and out of juvie most of his life. Jesus Christ, poor Gina. Did you see the photos of her body after they poured it from that barrel?”

“Wish I hadn’t.”

“Those kids ain’t gonna go easy,” Lillie said.

“You think they have some kind of plan?” Hodge said.

“What do you think?”

“Based on my years as a U.S. Marshal and immense wisdom tracking felons?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’d have to say, I’ve got no goddamn idea, Lillie,” Hodge said. “Kids are like any other felon, making up the song as they go.”

“Cowardly her bringing her little brother along.”

“You got a real problem with this young girl,” Hodge said.

“Gina Byrd deserved better than giving birth to that hellcat,” Lillie said. “I can’t quit thinking about what those damn kids might’ve done to her. It’s not even human.”

“Texarkana will give us four of their units,” Hodge said. “We got six marshals from the task force. How do you want to play this?”

“That’s not up to us,” she said. “Now is it?”

*   *   *

“I got to go back with you?” Holly Harkins asked, her Waffle House plate completely cleaned. “Don’t I?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Quinn said.

“What am I being charged with?”

“Well,” Quinn said. “That depends. Where do you think they went after leaving Hot Springs?”

“They talked about Texas,” Holly said. “Maybe finding a way to get some money and head on to California.”

“What’s in California?” Quinn said.

“Swimming pools and movie stars,” Holly said, offering a sad smile. “All that shit. That wasn’t TJ’s idea. That was that girl Chastity.”

“And who’s Chastity?”