Page 38 of Concrete Evidence
“We would have helped you with that,” Marc said.
“I’m used to it and you aren’t.” Craig laughed. “I’ll take this any day to the heat of bad guys and smoking guns.”
Maybe Craig was an all right guy.
Marc, Roden, and Craig walked the inside perimeter of the square, iron-fenced cemetery, surrounded by oaks as though keeping the occupants cool in their graves. Someone maintained the area, kept it mowed, weeded, and planted flowers. A few gravestones rose in weather-beaten marble, others smaller with the deceased and dates written in English and what looked like Gaelic. A dozen or so wooden crosses marked others buried there. The three searched outside the cemetery for footprints, but the rain had washed away any tracks.
Craig pointed to the oaks behind them. “There’s where I found evidence of a motorcycle and footprints.”
“Did you report this to the police?” Marc said.
“Nah. No reason.”
They searched, but nothing existed but footprints beneath a shade tree.
“Those are mine,” Craig said. “I mean, go ahead and take a picture of them and match ’em up to the boots I’m wearing. The ones I saw were of a sports shoe.”
Marc snapped the image, and the boots and prints were the same. “Appreciate all your cooperation,” he said. “Who do you suggest we talk to in finding Senator Elliott or Avery?”
“I’m fresh out of ideas. The senator has political friends, but other than the two deceased men, I have no names to offer. Except their attorney.” Craig ceased his pleasant demeanor. “I will say this about the senator. He’s not been himself over the past four or five months. Oh, he’d perk up when Avery was around, but I had a feelin’ a huge burden weighed on his mind.”
“Any reason given?” Roden said.
“I asked him, but he said everything was handled. Just getting older. The senator giving in to age is like him giving up religion. I thought he might have a health problem. No doubt about it, there’s a problem out there, and it’s real serious.”
24
AFTER MARC AND RODEN HAD RETURNEDfrom the ranch’s family cemetery, they interviewed Mia Underly, who responded with positive comments about Senator Elliott and Avery.
“Their leaving home without notice isn’t typical for either of them. And when I think about what happened to Mr. Zachary, I’m scared.” She tucked her chin-length gray hair behind her ears. “Neither one is a coward but faces trouble head-on.”
“What about any friends who could help us find Senator Elliott?” Marc said.
“So many, but none in particular. Craig is your better resource there.”
“What about Avery’s personal friends?”
She stared across an empty kitchen. “She’s not dating anyone right now. Her best friend is Leanne Archer, and she might know more.”
“Mr. Holcombe gave us her information, and we will follow up.”
Roden complimented the mix of peppers and tomato smells coming from a huge pot on the stove. “Whatever you’re cooking must bring those ranch hands in by the droves.”
Her eyes widened. “Old family recipe.”
“Rice and beans too?”
“Oh yes. And I use the finest cuts of beef from the ranch.”
Roden closed his eyes. “Heavenly.”
“If it were finished, I’d make you a plate.”
“And I’d take it. I bet Buddy and his wife stop by often.”
Ms. Underly snorted. “Those two wouldn’t be getting any of my dishes. Doubt they’d get past the gate. They are money-hungry leeches and know better than to come by here.”
“I’m sorry. Family problems are hard to manage. Looks like Mr. Holcombe has his hands full,” Roden said.
