Page 108 of Concrete Evidence
“We’re coming,” Avery said. “No need to slow down progress.”
“Right.” His phone rang, and the ME’s office displayed on the screen. “You two go on. I need to take this call. It’s the medical examiner’s office.”
Tessa touched her mouth. “Dad’s autopsy?”
He nodded and answered the phone. Neither Tessa nor Avery budged.
“Agent Wilkins, we’ve conducted the autopsy on your father. The complete toxicology report will take a few more days, but we found toxic levels of cyanide in his system.”
Poisoned. “The symptoms masquerade as a heart attack?”
“Yes, sir. You’ll be notified when the full report is available.”
“Thank you.” Marc always believed the truth set a person free. He lived by it, but how could he tell his sister and mother that the man they loved had been murdered? The explanation of his father’s death angered him. No one deserved to take the life of another.
“Marc,” Tessa whispered. “Dad didn’t die of a heart attack? I mean, with all the stuff going on, I’m even more sure his death wasn’t natural.”
He opened his arms, and she crossed the room to let him hold her. Soft sobs caused her body to tremble against him. He glanced up at Avery, who offered a slight smile before she left the room. Then he’d break the news to his mother.
“Tessa, I believe our father and the others discovered a massive crime, and those behind it will do whatever it takes to cover their tracks. We believe the killer is in custody, but we don’t have a name for who hired him.”
“This is so scary.”
Scaryneeded to be eliminated from Tessa, Avery, and Mom’s vocabulary. “I’m working with trained people who will stop the killer and end the crimes.”
“Soon? I know you can’t promise because none of us are insiders to God’s plan.”
“I promise not to turn my back on any piece of evidence.” But Marc feared the kingpin was hiding in plain sight.
61
AVERY WOKE WITH A JOLT.Her phone buzzed again, and she snatched it through sleep-laden eyes. Craig!
“Are you okay?” she said.
“No. Shot. Just... just found my phone. Help me. Near the Old River Gate.”
The call ended. She hadn’t been dreaming, and she knew Craig’s location. Myriad questions bombarded her mind—why hadn’t the deputies or ranch hands found him?
It was close to six thirty. She tossed back the blanket and texted Marc.Craig called. He’s hurt and I know where he is.
He fired back a text.Where?
I’ll show you. Meet me downstairs.
Be there in 5.
The two headed out the back door to a utility vehicle. They took a bumpy ride across the pasture with rain beating against the vehicle’sroof. Gray skies. Waterlogged earth. Turmoil all around them. Avery hoped they didn’t get stuck. She explained how Craig sometimes took a back road to the ranch through the Old River Gate.
“Years ago that was the main gate, but it flooded too many times. So Granddad installed the new one. If Craig’s there—”
“Sounds like he’s in bad shape,” Marc said. “Can you deal with the state he’s in?”
Her stomach rolled at the thought of Craig hurt... and the blood. “I’ll be fine. He’s alive, and I’m holding out for his survival. The area by the Old River Gate was searched... more than once.”
“Right. We all have questions, and we’ll figure it out later.”
“I’m glad you’re with me, Marc. You help me stay calm.”
