Page 32 of Concrete Evidence
Getting answers from Shipley took ingenuity, and Marc’s patience ran thin. “Is a home office in the equation?”
“We have the matter under control. Any findings will be brought to your attention.”
For certain Shipley preferred Roden, and Marc needed to play into it before he punched the man in the face. “Did my father leave any unfinished business, something that would help us?”
“He requested an additional inspection on a recent dam project, the Lago de Cobre Dam in Burleson County.”
“Who completed it?”
“Elliott Construction.”
“Was the inspection completed?”
“On my desk to arrange today.”
Interesting. “Would you email me the original and the results of the new inspection?”
“There’ve been two previously. Both indicate the dam is in fine working order.”
“Why a third? Did my father give you a reason for the third inspection?”
“Testing concerns.”
More reason for Marc and Roden to have the documents. “Before we leave, I’d like to have my father’s personal belongings.”
“I assumed so. Have we concluded our discussion?” Shipley aimed his question at Roden.
“We will consult with you after we complete our interviews.”Roden faced Marc. “I believe we can get started with those this afternoon. Except we have one more question.”
“Definitely.” Marc nodded at Shipley. He’d asked this question far too many times without receiving an answer. “Who is the gun registered to that killed Liam Zachary?”
“Your father.”
20
MARC’S FATHER HAD DIEDbefore Liam’s murder. Someone had taken his father’s gun and used it on a good man. Had the weapon disappeared before or after his father’s death?
“Lieutenant, when we talked on the phone, were you aware my father’s gun was the murder weapon?”
“Yes, but the impossibility of Colonel Wilkins pulling the trigger stopped me from telling you until I further investigated the crime.”
“Neither Liam nor the senator attended the funeral or acknowledged the death,” Marc said.
“They were aware of the time and location of the services. A shooter killed Liam before the funeral.”
“But they told no one in their families,” Marc said. “As though they feared someone.”
“You’ve taken your research into a realm that doesn’t exist. Does the FBI offer counseling?”
Marc swallowed his ire. “If needed.”
Shipley slowly nodded. “Good. Someone used your father’s gun and committed a murder. Indications are Senator Elliott is responsible, but I refuse to believe it.”
Marc recalled Avery’s claim. She’d seen a gun in the senator’s hand. But from a distance, she couldn’t identify the weapon. “You still believe he’s innocent?”
“Ask me after enough evidence has been gathered to make an arrest,” Shipley said. “Follow me to your father’s office.”
Marc and Roden walked down a narrow hall to an office labeledColonel Abbott Wilkins. The lieutenant unlocked the door and gestured the two men inside. Marc scanned his father’s office, expecting to see a cold, sterile setting. Quite the contrary. This belonged to a man he didn’t know. The familiar regret and resentment clouded his emotions and threatened to interfere with the investigation. Wasn’t he a grown man and not an abandoned kid?
