This is driving me crazier, I can ferment everything except the name of the story.
It begins with MC being released from prison where he had been sent for the murder of a woman and her daughter. He didn't kill them and this was proved by some internet wizard who turns out to be a chain smoking woman who ends up living with him after a long escape.
MC rescues a young girl who by the end of the stories is a welding tutor at the local technical College who survives a school shooting aimed at her.
There is also an old mining prospector with a hidden part who mucks around with gunpowder.
There is much more but I'm hoping this will jog someone's memory as to the name and writer.
Thanks in advance.