Page 138 of Concrete Evidence
Marc released the tree branch and battled the water’s power to swim to the riverbank. But how long would he survive in the raging water?
She turned Zoom his direction and again swung her lasso into the raging water.
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EXHAUSTION AND THROBBING ARMSattempted to steal Marc’s strength. Each stroke felt like his last. He lunged for Avery’s rope in the muddy water as though his life depended on it. And it did.
He missed, and he gulped a mouthful of water. She threw the rope again, and it landed about six feet from where Marc struggled to stay afloat.
He fought the water to wrap his hand around the rope. This time he grasped it firmly, and the stallion leaped ahead, pulling Marc to safety.
At the river’s edge, he crawled through mud until he could catch a painful breath. Avery jumped from Zoom’s side and helped Marc to his feet.
“Are you wounded?” she said.
He shook his head and coughed, his lungs ready to explode.
“Take your time.” Her voice was gentle, caring.
He bent over and willed his body to cooperate. “Any... any idea how badly the senator’s hurt?”
“No, but he was conscious when two deputies stopped to help him.”
“I saw Shipley go under.”
“So did I.”
“You risked your life to save me. Thanking you will never be enough.”
“Thank Zoom. Without him, you’d be swimming.” At the mention of his name, the stallion nudged her. “You’re a rock star.” She patted his wet neck.
“Your marksmanship is incredible with your left hand.”
“I’ve practiced with both hands but never knew lives depended on it.”
“Without Shipley’s wound, we’d be dead. He intended to kill you and me.”
Up ahead the sound of emergency vehicles approaching met her ears. No doubt more deputies had arrived on the scene. The idea of Shipley shooting the senator dug at Marc. Good men had died in Shipley’s quest for vengeance. Good men... like his dad. How sad Marc found respect for his father in his death. Closure would have sealed the father-son relationship, but heaven offered the biggest reconciliation of all. Facing his own mortality shoved gratefulness into every breath.
“Avery, thank you for all you’ve done in this tragedy.”
“What I did was small in comparison to how you and Roden fought for the truth.”
He gasped, remembering his partner might be badly wounded—or worse. “Shipley forced Roden into the library closet and fired four shots.”
“No,” she whispered, but it sounded more like a whimper. “Roden and Granddad need us.”
He stared at the faint outline of the house and barns. Lights flashed. “We’ve got to walk back. Slow going, but we can do it.”
She took Zoom’s reins and wrapped another arm around Marc’s waist. “We’re a team.”
He studied an approaching vehicle in the distance. “Help’s coming.”
Avery drew in a quick breath. “It’s the UTV.”
Within minutes, JC, the lean man with the wide-brimmed hat, pulled alongside them. “You two are always needin’ my help.”
“I’d kiss you, but I have a mouth full of mud,” Avery said.
