Page 117 of Concrete Evidence
She covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. “I’m ashamed of it. How did you find out?”
“The janitor.”
“Now Leanne and I are best friends. And I’ve apologized to her countless times. Glad to see she and Craig are together.”
“Life is full of surprises.”
“Honestly, are Mom and Dad behind this?”
“I wish I had an answer. Truth is, I have a lot of enemies.”
“The kind who kill. Who want both of us destroyed and don’t care who gets in their way.” Avery shuddered. “Right now, I can’t suspect Craig. He could pull it off, but he’d need motive, and now he’s a victim. I’m back to Mom and Dad. When you, Liam, and Abbott discussed the threats, who came to mind?”
“Political opposition.” He shook his head. “Buddy and Saundra.”
She heard the angst in his tone. “Granddad, we’ve weathered storms before, and we will again.”
“You’re right, sweet girl. Let’s promise each other to move forward with a more mature relationship.”
She kissed his scruffy cheek. “Deal.”
“Tell me, where does Marc fit?” He faced her. “Neither of you are fooling me.”
Avery hoped no one else had picked up on their growing... attraction. “We’ve been through a lot together in a short time.”
He chuckled. “I detect more than an FBI agent working on a case. Yes, his father is a victim in the murders and his mother faced a near assassination, but the way he looks at you is a man smitten. And the way you look at him says you feel the same way.”
She let the joy of thinking about Marc flow through her. “When we’re together, he backs off.”
“He has to keep his emotions grazing in the back pasture or his judgment could be impaired. When he and Roden make arrests, then you’ll know I’m right.”
In the distance, headlights of a car stopped at the gate. Granddad immediately received a phone call. “Yes, let Lieutenant Shipley in. Thanks.” He pocketed his phone and watched the headlights approach. “Maybe he has good news for a change.”
65
THE RAIN FELLin miserable gray sheets, causing a curtain of low spirits and concern for those caught in flooding. Heavy drops splattered the balcony outside Avery’s bedroom in a cadence of gloom.
She glanced at the time—barely 8a.m., and already she wished the day were over.
Or the rain stopped.
Or arrests were made beyond Jake.
Or proof her parents weren’t behind the crimes.
Or she’d wake up and discover this had been a nightmare.
Or Craig hadn’t betrayed Granddad’s love and trust.
She reflected on the latter thought. Last night’s discussion with Granddad brought them back together in honesty and strength. They’d confessed their mistakes from the past and committed to a better future. Couldn’t those character growths have happened without deaths? Times like these, she didn’t understand God’s hand. But that’s why He was God, and she wasn’t.
Granddad and Shipley had taken residence in the library last night, and they stayed behind closed doors long after Marc and Roden returned. Earlier she’d gone for coffee and heard muffled voices inside the library. Had Marc and Roden joined them? Marc had announced last night that the two planned to delve into reports and consult with Granddad and Shipley.
Staying in her room until the world changed for the better tempted her. Although the idea made her seem incredibly selfish, and she detested the trait. Instead, she’d spend time today with Donita and Tessa.
Now to shower and dress. Not her typical Saturday of running errands.
She’d plaster on a friendly face and think about someone other than herself.
