Page 50 of Concrete Evidence
“Go ahead,” Marc said to Avery. “My partner with the brainsand biceps might help us figure this out. Why don’t you start at the beginning? I’m not going anywhere soon.”
“Is this being recorded?” she said.
Roden held up his phone. “I can.”
“Okay. The situation began on Monday at the ranch when the Internet went down while I was trying to resolve a discrepancy on an invoice for a dam project. I couldn’t work, so I planned a surprise lunch with my grandfather. He’d left early morning to ride fence along a repair line...” She continued to relay what she’d witnessed at the ranch, her granddad’s later request to contact Marc, and tonight’s tragedy.
“Why am I just now hearing about the invoice?” Marc frowned.
“Because Liam’s death took priority. It’s not connected.” She shook her head. “I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”
“We’ll be the judge of that.” Marc winced with an unexpected twist of fire to his back. Could the dam inspection his father requested be the same project? “What about the discrepancy raised a flag?”
“The materials supplier billed us a lesser amount for materials than the specs required.” She sighed. “Craig told me we had the materials in the warehouse, and I confirmed they were picked up for the project.”
Marc drew in a breath. “I see. What dam?”
“Lago de Cobre. Why?”
“Just curious.”
“Marc, take a break,” Roden said. “You and the sheets have this white thing going.” He glanced at her. “Avery’s running a close second.”
Marc held up a finger to signal for them to wait until he could manage the pain.
“I’ll ask questions until you’re able to jump back in,” Roden said. “Who signs the checks for the ranch and the business?”
“Granddad and I are the only ones authorized. That way we have no surprises.” She lifted her chin. “Why?”
“We’re not questioning your integrity, Avery. Just looking for more information to piece this together. What about the ranch and business credit cards? I have daughters, and I know what can happen with unauthorized credit card usage.”
“Mia Underly, our cook and housekeeper, has a credit card for her expenses. Craig uses two—one for the ranch and another for the construction business. I reconcile the accounts and pay the cards when the bills come in. Tell me what this has to do with the car blast?”
“Just checking the links,” Roden said. “Have you thought of any conversations or strange events leading up to you and Marc leaving the restaurant?”
“I wonder if the man in the Nikes saw anyone you could question. I wish I’d caught a glimpse of his face or asked his name. He appeared to be first on the scene.”
“The police report doesn’t indicate a witness.” Roden stood and examined Marc’s half-full IV bag. “Two thoughts here—either the man didn’t want to get involved, or he planted the bomb and was admiring his handiwork.”
“Mr. Nike had a gentleness about him.”
“Do you think he’d give himself away?”
She glanced at Marc, then back to Roden. “I always believed my granddad didn’t raise a fool, but I’m missing far too much in this puzzle. And although neither of you will mention it in my presence, there’s a whole lot more going on. I wish you would tell me what you’re thinking.”
Marc groaned, partially out of agony and partially because of Avery’s persistence to find answers.
Roden held up his palm as though he sensed Marc considered getting back into the conversation. “Why not wait until the police have finished their investigation. Yes, HPD has confirmed a bomb. Your feelings are nat—”
“Please, I know you mean well, but I’ve grown up with the bestword master who ever walked the earth. Granddad is a politician, and he’s given me lots of insight and tricks.” She rubbed her temples. “I’m taking out on you and Marc the raw fear of nearly being blown to bits. But I’m not grazing in the back pasture by suspecting the car bomber targeted me.”
“We have no idea until evidence surfaces,” Roden said. “What if the person who planted the bomb only wanted to scare you from talking to anyone about the murder on the ranch?”
“Then he did a fine job.”
Marc’s eyes longed to close, but he couldn’t miss anything that was said. “The restaurant’s security cam could show who planted the explosive and help ID the man you talked to.”
“I’ve requested those.” Roden typed into his phone. “Do you remember any other distinguishing characteristics about the Nike man?”
