Page 49 of Concrete Evidence
“Avery Elliott.”
“I thought so.” The man drew up a chair on the opposite side of the bed. “Are you all right? I read on the doctor’s report you have stitches in your right arm.”
She nodded. “A few bruises. I’m sure I’ll feel it more tomorrow. Right now I’m worried about Marc.”
“The doctor says he’ll recover fine.”
The agent had completed his preliminary work before he checked on Marc. Not sure how she felt about being an FBI specimen in a database of victims. “Recovery has different meanings. Marc hasn’t regained full consciousness since the explosion. His doctor ordered various tests.”
“His head is strong as steel. I’d have been here sooner, but I wanted to run by the crime scene. In your words, what happened?”
“Not until I see your ID.”
29
MARC STARED AT RODEN AND AVERYthrough a pain-filled stupor. “Are you two taking bets on if I’m going to make it?”
Avery, who had a huge smudge of dirt alongside a bruised cheek, tilted her head. “I just lost.”
“You put money on me being carried off to the morgue?”
Roden laughed. “She hasn’t known you as long as I have.” He studied Marc. “You had a close one.”
Marc shut his eyes to manage a bolt of lightning to his head. Willing it away did little good. “I feel it.”
Avery touched his arm. “Thank you for protecting me. I owe you.”
“I’ll put it on your account. Your arm’s in a sling. Broken?”
She shook her head. “Stitches. The same number as yours. Seven is our lucky number.”
Marc grimaced. “Ouch. How’s your car?”
“It still drives. At least that’s what an officer told me, but I haven’t seen it. Mine didn’t explode, but the car parked to my right did.”
He fought the temptation to close his eyes. “Your car’s at the police station?” When she confirmed it, he fought the torment in his head to move forward. “I’ll make sure it’s returned to your hotel. What caused the blast?”
“Good question,” she said. “I tried to find out but got nowhere. Unless your partner here used his clout.”
“I have the police report,” Roden said. “An elderly widow owned the ten-year-old Chevy. She’s retired and lives on a fixed income. Has no idea who’d do her harm.”
“Agent Clement—” Avery directed a glare, icy and teasing—“I’m sure you have more details. You’ve been to the restaurant, read the doctor’s report, and you recognized my name.”
“Any evidence I might have found would be confidential.”
“I believe you’re fully aware of my talking to Marc about a situation at the Brazos River Ranch. Rather doubtful what happened tonight hit the coincidence list.”
Marc would have slid in a few remarks about her interrogating Roden if he hadn’t hurt so badly.
Not even a twitch appeared on Roden’s face. “He mentioned your concern over Senator Elliott’s disappearance.”
She seemed to reach deep within her for control—or emotional management. “I understand your protocol and why it’s in place. Maybe you can help me with a simple yes or no. Agent Clement, was a bomb planted in the car?”
“The name’s Roden.”
“Roden, the car was bombed?”
“I can tell you when and if it’s confirmed. Which one of you is ready to tell me what you remember? Nothing personal, but you both resemble the losing end of a fight.”
