Page 112 of Concrete Evidence
“You and Avery. You’re doing a lousy job of acting like nothing’s going on between you two.”
Marc maintained a placid demeanor, but that wouldn’t last long with Roden. “We’re just friends.”
“I told Victoria’s brother the same thing.”
“I’ll do a better job of hiding it.”
Roden blew out a frustrated breath. “For a smart man, your actions are stupid. Do I need to remind you how an agent’s emotions affect his judgment?”
“I’d never put her or anyone else in jeopardy.”
“You already have by not admitting your feelings. Trust me, Senator Elliott sees everything. Is this lust or the real thing?”
Marc hesitated while he formed his words. If his attraction was only desire, he wouldn’t be keeping a mental checklist of her compassion for others, intelligence, and the way she listened to others.
“Don’t tell me you don’t know.”
“The real thing.”
“That’s worse in my opinion. What if I ask her?”
“Ask her what?”
“Look, Marc. If Avery is the woman for you, I’m glad. But use your head and hold off until we nail this case.”
Marc digested his words. “You’re right, and I will.”
“Have you...?”
“We’ve kissed. But what do I have to offer her, Roden?”
“Takes a whole lot more than a fat bank account to make a relationship work. It’s in the sacrifices that Victoria and I have grown closer.”
Dale Morrow entered the office, wearing a crisp white shirt and jeans. “Gentlemen. Let me have five minutes with my client. Sorry to keep you Feds sitting here.” He greeted the deputy, and she led him behind closed doors.
Marc’s phone alerted him to an update. Traffic cams in Austin showed Buddy had driven to the Four Seasons hotel as an invited guest of a private party. According to hotel waitstaff, the group played cards most of the night. Buddy left the hotel at eleven o’clock the following morning. Marc relayed the info to Roden.
“Gambling has ruined many a man. Makes sense since he left Saundra at home.”
Five minutes moved into twenty before they were admitted to an interview room. Jake’s gaunt and pale features indicated a bad jail experience compounded with his wound.
Marc and Roden seated themselves at a table across from Morrow and Jake, who rested his cuffed hands in his lap.
“How are you faring at the city’s hotel?” Marc said.
Jake’s nostrils flared. “Why?”
“You look like you haven’t slept.”
“I’m done with the—” Jake swore. “What do you want?”
“Agent Clement and I have a bit of news for you. We found Craig Holcombe.”
“You gonna pin his murder on me too?”
“He’s alive.”
Jake frowned. “How sad.”
