Page 6 of Concrete Evidence
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SLEEP EVADED AVERY,but not nausea and tears. She had this link connecting her emotions to her stomach, and when disturbing things happened, she kissed the porcelain rim. When the worst of the vomiting had passed and her body wrung weak, she grabbed her phone and checked local news for a possible murder. The local, county, and state law enforcement had nothing to report. Granddad had either not contacted the authorities about the body, or he’d followed through and had the body removed. Neither option measured up to the man she loved. Prayer didn’t ease the fear and concern stalking her like a hungry lion.
Only a few hours had gone by since she’d seen the victim from a distance, but not his face. Notifying next of kin explained the news delay. She needed her laptop in the office to check Granddad’s calendar... to find a possible indication of what had happened this morning.
At straight-up 5:30p.m., Granddad’s diesel truck roared to life. He sped down the mile-long driveway for his dinner and meeting, as punctual as the rooster ushering in sunrise. Avery waited fifteen minutes before creeping down the back stairway. The door near the bottom opened onto a stone walkway that led to the office 1,250feet from the house. As one hand wrapped around the doorknob in her best attempt to keep quiet, Mia’s voice met her ears. Avery cringed.
“Are you feeling better?” the older woman said. “Senator Elliott said you were feeling poorly.”
She slowly faced Mia. “I think so. Haven’t vomited in the past hour. Temp’s down.”
“You’re white as flour. Shouldn’t you be in bed?” Her gentle tone laced her words in love.
“I thought a little fresh air might do me good.”
“At the office?” Mia knew her all too well. She crossed thin arms over her chest. “How about a few crackers and ginger ale to settle your stomach?”
“Maybe later. I need to check on a project from this morning. It’s been bothering me.”
“You and the senator are chiseled from the same piece of granite. He was preoccupied with something and didn’t want to talk much.”
Avery caught her breath. “I won’t be long. I promise. Then back to bed.” She gave Mia a reassuring smile and walked outside into the suffocating heat.
After entering the numbers to disarm the office alarm, she stepped inside and locked the door behind her. She didn’t want any surprises. Elliott Commercial Construction’s filing systems were her design after she’d complained to Granddad about how nothing could be found. He’d agreed, and she organized easy access to all the documents and paperwork for each building project. Her stomach protested her efforts to stay calm, and she made two trips to the bathroom. Oh, how she hated this weak side of her. Shouldn’t prayer and determination be enough?
Someone knocked on the office door. She expected Mia to have brought crackers and ginger ale. The dear woman took her role of caring for the Elliotts seriously. When she opened the door, Craig greeted her, a rugged-looking man in his midthirties who’d received a generous portion of looks and charm. Thick, nearly black hair and blue-green eyes under a cowboy hat caused the women to beg for his attention. Craig hadn’t married, probably because his expectations were too high.
“The senator said you weren’t feeling well, and now you’re working.”
She forced pleasantry into her words. None of this was Craig’s fault. “I needed a change of scenery and thought this might help.”
He crammed his hands into his jean pockets. “You look awful. I suggest hightailing it back inside the house.”
“I will. Just need to spend five minutes with work from today, and I want my laptop to catch up since the Internet is working again.”
“Anything I can do?”
“No. I want to finish up before Granddad returns tonight.” More truth there than she cared to explore. “I appreciate your getting back to me about the warehouse materials.”
“No problem. We have the approved inspection report from the state, and there haven’t been any issues with the reservoir since it filled.”
“Perfect.” She should verify the materials used and update her records. But not tonight.
“Want me to stay and lock up?”
“Thanks, but I’m good.”
“All right. Text if you change your mind. By the way, did you hear a gunshot while you were out riding?”
Avery toyed with how to answer. “Yes, but no idea who did it or where it originated.”
“The senator asked me about it. Probably some yahoo ignoring the No Trespassing or Hunting signs.”
“Have you ridden out to where Granddad heard the shot?”
“Heading there now. One of the hands claimed to have seen a motorcycle on Oak Valley Road arrive at the ranch property this morning.”
Avery’s stomach threatened to empty again. “Let me know what you find.”
