Page 125 of Concrete Evidence
“Gentlemen, Shipley’s behavior tonight hit the inappropriate list. We’re all stressed and worried, but we’re also adults. I’m embarrassed and a little angry. Please accept my apologies.”
“No problem, sir.” Marc waved away the remark. “Have you ever seen Shipley respond to losing a game like he did a few minutes ago?”
The senator folded his hands across his trim middle over an oversize belt buckle. “He lost a game of golf with Abbott, Liam, and me. Once. Never played again. I remember he stayed strangely quiet and excused himself. Didn’t answer his phone for a week. We chalked it up as a sore loser. He refused any future invitations for golf.”
“Senator,” Roden said, “do you want Avery in on this conversation?”
“Can we record it for her to hear later? I’m not leaving her out of any information.”
“On it.” Roden pressed Record on his phone. “How long have you known Shipley?”
“Ten years, professionally. He and I met occasionally for dinnerand sometimes with Abbott and Liam. We approached him with the threats about four months ago.”
“Have you ever questioned his behavior or if his head wasn’t in the game during the investigation?”
“Not really. Just because he has a few issues with losing doesn’t mean he’s a killer.”
“I agree,” Roden continued. “We need to examine everyone and weigh facts against motive. Marc has spent more time with him than I have.” He gestured to Marc. “What’s your take?”
“A question rolling through my head is if the lieutenant’s former position in the CID meant working undercover, and how would that affect assisting in this case? How much power does he have?”
The senator gripped his hands over his knee. Was he processing past and present? “When we shared the threats with him, he assured us the guilty person didn’t have long on the streets. He also insisted no one be told. We assumed Shipley went to his bosses about our problem. As far as his past work with the CID, I imagine it depends on the situation.”
“Who recommended confiding in him four months ago?”
“Liam. He trusted Shipley for discretion.”
“Any suspects other than Craig?”
“None mentioned.”
Marc’s and Roden’s phones buzzed with an update. Marc scanned the report to learn the FIG had found nothing incriminating against Archer. Marc pocketed his phone. “If Shipley was the one who masterminded the dam’s structural damage and paid Jake to murder those who got into his way, what would motivate him?”
The senator peered into Marc’s face, but his eyes were distant. Long moments passed before he spoke. “What a stretch. He’s a by-the-book man. Loyal to his country. Solid friend. Like me, he’d do anything for those he loves. Unless...”
70
FROM THE SENATOR’S REDDENED FACE,Marc feared the man’s health headed for a nosedive. He brought the senator a bottle of water from the library fridge before they talked further.
The senator took a long drink and thanked him. “I’m all right, really. Appreciate your concern. I’ve got a minor heart problem, and stress makes it act up.”
Marc doubted it was minor. “Are you sure you’ve told me everything about Lieutenant Shipley?”
The senator’s shoulders lifted and fell. “He has a personal burden in the care of his middle daughter. She has a rare type of Huntington’s disease that requires a hefty output of cash each month.”
“It’s not covered under his medical insurance?”
“There’s a co-pay. His wife confided in me over dinner one night about the situation. Shipley had excused himself to take a call, and she opened up. She said the disease is hereditary from the paternalside, and the other two kids had a 50percent chance of inheriting it. Shipley blamed himself, and I understood why. I promised her I’d do whatever I could to support him.”
Roden grimaced. “I’d be a wreck. Pride, guilt, and the inability to provide for your family are strong motivators. If I faced his challenges, I’d do about anything to find a cure.”
The senator ran his fingers through his silver hair. “I approached him privately, offering my resources. He said a few things, but the gist of it was he told me to mind my own business. He might not have money like I did, but he could take care of his family. He accused me of trying to lure his wife into an affair. I dropped the whole matter. I hadn’t seen him angry before, and his reaction took me back a bit. Later he apologized.”
The senator drew in a ragged breath. “I should have asked for details. Have we all been fools? But his hand in the murders and faulty dam construction make no sense.”
More reason for Shipley to restore his family and pride by planning murders and an unsafe dam. “Have you witnessed Shipley and Craig in private conversations?”
“Plenty of times. Shipley admired Craig’s horsemanship and leadership abilities. Why?”
