Page 71 of Concrete Evidence
Marc pulled his phone from his shirt pocket and typed in his thoughts. He missed Roden, who kept him grounded. “I’ll order a security cam on the road and request a deputy park a squad car there. If the sheriff’s department is limited on manpower, we’ll acquire law enforcement from another area.” He analyzed what a few men could accomplish on foot. “We might need to hire a few law enforcement types to ride the fence line. Not ranch hands. We don’t want anyone hurt or overreacting.” He swung his attention to Avery and Craig, who agreed.
“I have a registered handgun,” Craig said. “When possible, I can escort the women. If I need to be sworn in as a volunteer deputy, bring it on.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ve already told Avery she needs to stay put. If anything changes, I’ll be knocking on your door. A few other instructions here. I’ve picked up burner phones for all of you, which means I want your cell phones. It’s too easy to trace any of you. Avery is already using one.” He held out his hand, and the three handed him their phones—with frowns.
“What about business?” Craig said. “Can’t work without communication.”
“I’ll be in the office checking those calls on the landline,” Avery said. “We’ll make it work.”
Marc continued. “Do not give the burner numbers to anyone. I don’t care how much the person begs. If you need to make an important call, use mine or the office landline.
“I want to reinforce what I said earlier. Be aware of what is going on around you at all times. If someone seems suspicious, get help. Don’t answer the door. Sleep with your bedroom doors locked.” Marc slid a sideways glance at Avery. “Don’t investigate anything—you or Craig. These people play for keeps. You and Tessa jog, and it’s a great way to manage the stress. But don’t go alone.”
“How long will we be in FBI jail?”
Marc took his sister’s hand. She had legitimate fears about her grandmother and leaving her friends behind in Fort Worth. “For as long as it takes.”
“What about school?”
“My mom’s a teacher and there are online options.” He despised frightening her. “Note you are the only one of the three musketeers who hasn’t been wounded. I intend for that situation to stay intact.”
Tessa paled. “I wonder where this all would have led if I hadn’t told you I thought Dad had been killed.”
“I told him the same thing, and I doubt our situation would be any different,” Mom said.
Tessa touched her lips. “Someone wants all three of us dead? I mean, I heard you, but it didn’t hit me until now.”
Marc thought Tessa understood the risk. He’d not done a good job of explaining to her the real danger. “We think so. Our father and Liam Zachary might have stumbled onto a crime. If so, the guilty person is out to eliminate anyone who has potential information.”
“Is that why Senator Elliott is missing?”
“He’s keeping a low profile until this is sorted out.” Marc weighed how much he could tell her. “My partner and I are working withthe Army Corps of Engineers in an informal investigation about the two deaths.”
“Is your partner coming to the ranch, the one who was shot?”
“He’s still in the hospital.”
Her young eyes widened. “What a nightmare.”
“Yes, Tessa. Your grandmother wanted you protected at all costs.”
Tears filled her eyes. “What else haven’t you told me?”
Marc had said far too much for a kid to comprehend. “I’m here to keep you from danger.”
“I don’t know anything,” she whispered, as though the wrong person listened. “Why do those close to me get hurt or killed? Is it my fault?”
Avery left her chair and bent to Tessa’s level. “Bad people pick on the innocent. None of us here have any intention of cowering to a criminal, but we have to be smart. Do exactly as Marc says. Nothing about what we’re experiencing is your fault. Never has been. When things bother you, we’ll talk, pray, do whatever it takes.”
One more reason Marc liked Avery. Her compassion for others tugged at his heart.
41
MARC HELPED THE WOMENclean up the table, a reprieve from the burden of the situation. The summer temps had cooled, and the overhead patio fans had made for a pleasant dinner. Craig needed to follow Leanne home, so Marc reiterated the caution. He didn’t like Craig leaving the ranch alone, but until tomorrow and arrangements were made for additional security, Marc would have to let this one slide. No surprise Leanne and Craig carried firearms.
The barbecue and fixings, right along with freshly churned ice cream and strawberries, had filled his belly fuller than usual. Eating like this headed him for disaster the next time he had to chase down a bad guy on foot or pass his FBI fitness quals.
“What would you like to do?” Avery said. “We could swim, tour the stables, ride, or do nothing.”
