Blown Sky High by B. C. Murray

Following an explosion at Columbia's old creosote plant, Joe Don McDaniel learns of a top-secret Pentagon contract and thousands of drums of Agent Orange and other toxic chemicals buried on the plant property. With the aid of some nefarious characters from New Orleans, Joe Don devises a plan to spill additional chemicals onto the plant's grounds to ensure that no one will come near the plant. He and some nefarious New Orleans characters can then use the plant to manufacture a new street drug called crystal methamphetamine. The story follows a prominent civic-minded local couple, a local newspaperwoman, and a New Orleans television investigative reporter trying to determine who intentionally spilled Agent Orange onto the plant property and why.