Page 86 of Concrete Evidence
48
MARC AND AVERY NEEDEDto form a response to the dam’s failed inspection. He didn’t hold out on Shipley contacting him, but they’d stay in Craig’s office and wait it out.
“Media will be all over this,” he said. “Those who oppose the senator will tear him to pieces. Even those who are reporting the facts will see him as the responsible party. Yes, you and Craig are in the line of fire. I suggest contacting your attorney for legal advice but refrain from making a statement.”
“I agree with all you’ve said. You may want to document my response.” Avery gave a sad smile. “No point in making a statement that could worsen the situation.” She completed a call to the attorney, and they reached the same conclusion.
She massaged her neck. “I have no idea where to go from here except to steer clear of reporters.”
“I’d like more info about the construction crew who poured the dam’s foundation.”
A few moments later, she lifted her gaze from her laptop screen. “I have the company’s name. Expert Commercial Concrete Specialists goes by ECCS. Headquarters in Oklahoma City. I have a phone number, email address, a website, and a contact of W.S. Wiseman. Want me to call?”
Marc nodded. “Let’s find out what Craig arranged.”
Avery pressed in a phone number. Moments later she frowned. “Either I pressed in the wrong number, or the company is no longer in operation.” She tried again, then turned to her laptop. Within moments she blew out obvious frustration. “What now, Marc? There’s no such company, email, or person. Nothing.”
“I’ll work my end.” He contacted the Field Intelligence Group with the information available. “FIG will fill in the blanks. A bogus operation seals Craig’s involvement.”
She lifted her chin. “I hate the sound of it. I have a bill from a Best Western near Brenham for the crew. Looks like meals were at different restaurants. I’ll check to see what I can find.”
While Marc checked email and spoke to Victoria about Roden’s continued recovery, Avery spent time on the phone. She finished and buried her face in her hands. “I don’t know what to think. The hotel reservations were under Expert Commercial Concrete Specialists and paid for by Craig’s business credit card. The same with the meals. He must have joined them for every meal. I never even thought to verify the company. How stupid of me.”
“You were lied to.” He stared out over the stables but not really seeing. “If anyone is stupid in this mess, it’s me for not reading Craig.”
“Can we get Granddad back on the phone?”
“I already tried.”
“When I asked Craig about the materials used for the foundation,he said they came from the warehouse. I confirmed the supplies were pulled by a crew member under Craig’s authorization.”
Marc thought through the new info. “I believe in your and Senator Elliott’s innocence. This took more than Craig to pull it all together.”
“Who else?”
“Someone the senator trusts implicitly.”
She shrugged. “Who? Do you suspect someone?”
“Yes and no. Without the senator and Craig, we can only keep digging with the tools we have.”
49
MARC CHECKED THE TIME.Thirty-five minutes had passed, and Lieutenant Shipley hadn’t called. Avery curled up in a huge leather chair that made her look frail, too pale for his liking—not because she suffered physically but due to the mental stress. He’d never reveal his thoughts when she’d demonstrated repeatedly her amazing strength. But everyone had a breaking point.
She stood and walked to a window and stared out at the shadowed acres of quiet beauty, horses and cattle—her life. She processed silently, and yet he ached for her suffering and fought the need to wrap her in his arms.
Murders. Accusations. An unstable dam. Hurricane Braxton. Craig’s disappearance.
Lieutenant Shipley’s claim of ignorance about Liam Zachary’s and his father’s investigation hadn’t been true. Liars always placed their agenda as a priority, usually self-serving. Shipley had provided just enough information to lead the FBI on a wild chase. He’dplayed a game all along, observing Marc and Roden while they went through his father’s office and offering pleasant conversation. Marc understood the Army would have removed secure information, but Shipley’s denying the FBI true leads added to Marc’s ire. The more he dwelled on the man holding back the truth, the more anger mounted. If Roden were here, he’d talk Marc off the ledge.
The manner and motive of Shipley’s involvement confounded Marc. Could he be trusted when he’d lied to Roden and him at their first meeting? Whoever was responsible for the crimes had pocketed thousands of dollars, and they intended to keep it at the expense of lies and lives.
Where did the supplies go that Craig supposedly used to build the dam’s foundation?
Marc checked his email for an update on his father’s autopsy. The procedure had been completed. Nothing yet to report.
“It’s time,” Avery said from the window. “Talking to Granddad let me know he’s safe, but he still refused to tell me where he’s hiding. Maybe Lieutenant Shipley will be more cooperative.”
