Page 110 of Concrete Evidence
No response.
Marc shoved on the UTV.
Nothing.
He repeated.
Nothing.
“I’ll walk back,” he said. “No other choice.”
Through the fog of pouring rain, Avery studied the water and mud-laden path to the house. “Looks like riders are headed this way.”
Marc whirled around, water dripping from every inch of him. “I think you’re right.”
Within minutes JC and Will dismounted and hurried to the truck bed. “When the senator told us where you’d gone, we had a feelin’ you needed help,” JC said.
“You’re an answer to prayer,” Marc said. “Craig needs medical attention.”
JC and Will helped Marc push the UTV out of the mud and backonto the path. The two ranch hands glanced at Craig before they mounted their horses and rode back to the house.
No matter how carefully Avery drove, she hit mudholes and low spots. Why hadn’t anyone found Craig during the previous searches? He’d lain in the heat and storm, bleeding and hurt.
At the house, Granddad and Roden helped Marc carry Craig to the side enclosed porch. “You called for an ambulance?”
“Yes,” Avery said.
Marc had wrapped his rain-soaked shirt around an open wound on Craig’s right side. Blood seeped through and dripped down his arm.
“Craig,” Granddad said. “If you hear me, move your head.”
His eyelids fluttered.
Avery held her breath.
“Good.” Granddad took his left hand. “Can you squeeze my hand?”
Craig obliged.
Marc leaned in. “Do you know who shot you?”
He didn’t respond.
Avery stared at Marc. She wanted answers too.
Sirens sounded in the distance, reminding her of the car explosion and Marc’s encounter with death.
“The ambulance is nearly here,” Marc said. “Roden, want to ride with me, and we can run by the jail afterward? Could Jake have pulled the trigger before we arrested him?”
Roden held his bandaged arm. He must have hurt it when he helped to lift Craig. “I’m ready.”
“Let me grab a clean shirt. Once Jake knows Craig survived, I’m betting he’ll be ready to talk.”
Avery wanted to believe he’d confess. Where did all this lead? Could the end be in sight?
She sensed Marc’s attention on her. Had the crimes drawn the two together—to end the violent streak? Or something else?
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