Bluebird, Bluebird

Faith has kept the café open, despite Geneva’s instructions to close. Darren wishes he had his uncles with him to help him figure out the case. He feels if the case were only about Missy, a white woman, then it would have already been solved. Darren is angry with Greg for telling him about Michael, yet not fully aiding him in solving the case. Randie continues to drink and becomes intoxicated. Darren talks to Faith, Wendy, and Huxley about the case. Isaac is still missing. Darren tells them about Keith’s full confession. The conversation turns to the alleged robbery where Joe Sweet was killed. Joe was left alone with Isaac, and the robbers entered around midnight. Isaac was outside with the trash when he heard two shots, and when he returned, the suspects he identified as three white men, were leaving. Darren wonders how Isaac knew the men were white. No one has spoken of the incident for six years, especially Geneva. Randie periodically mumbles throughout the discussion as she continues to drink and then must run outside to be sick. Darren and Randie stay the night in the trailer, both sleeping in the same bed. Randie asks him about his alcoholism, and he admits it did not start until Mack’s ordeal. They talk more about their marriages and Darren shares that he left law school and entered police work after the Jasper, Texas case. Darren says Texas is home for him, a concept Randie cannot fully understand as her family moved around a lot when she was young. As Randie drifts off to sleep, it is unclear if she is speaking to Darren or her dead husband.

Darren awakens the next morning with calls and messages from Wilson. There will be a press conference that morning announcing the arrest of Keith Dale for the murder of his wife, but not Michael. Darren feels angry at Van Horn for not keeping his promise to give him two days. Darren tries to explain to Wilson why he is not done with the investigation, mainly the still missing car. Wilson dismisses him saying, “Let’s don’t start ourselves a race war over one dumb redneck in Shelby County” (247). Darren dresses and goes to the courthouse, feeling something is still amiss. Greg is there and Darren speaks to him coldly. Greg congratulates Darren on his efforts. Darren is confused about why Greg, a federal agent, is there. They discuss whether Keith is ABT, and Greg asserts it does not matter. Keith has been arrested and will imprisoned. Darren feels they are both being used as props in the case. Greg admits to tipping off the media and says there will be more media attention to come. Darren is once again torn by the idea that true justice has not been served. The press conference is attended by many reporters, but Darren does not speak at all. Greg makes a speech avoiding calling what happened a hate crime. Wilson tells Darren his home in Camilla has been searched regarding his involvement with Mack. This makes Darren wonder if new evidence has appeared linking him to the crime. Darren calls his mom to tell her there is money at his home. Van Horn says Geneva can leave, so Darren drives her to the café. She refuses at first, but agrees. The car ride is mostly silent, save Darren apologizing for her incarceration. Geneva is angry with him for getting involved in their business in Lark and tells him he does not understand small-town life. Geneva reveals Missy told her what she and Michael discussed for two hours that night. They talked about lost love and relationship problems.