Page 53 of Concrete Evidence
“I hit my head, and now I’m good to go. I have work to do.” Marc growled his words, but he had a point to make.
“That makes two of us. Then you understand why I can’t let you leave.”
“What time in the morning?”
“When I release you.”
31
MARC NEEDED TO TALK TO RODENwithout Avery in the room. She agreed to wait in the ER admission area until Roden drove her back to the hotel. The moment she disappeared, Marc posed the driving question. “What did you find out?”
“Pipe bomb. Scene was clean except for the bomb’s debris. HPD is analyzing the pieces.”
Marc held his breath as a shot of pain ripped across his head. “The police department works fast, so we’ll see. Anyone come forward?”
“No. The security cam caught a man inserting something under the car, but he’s a pro and hid his face from view. I’ll look at the footage before I pick you up in the morning. Avery’s scared and putting up a strong front, but she’s in pain physically and emotionally. I arranged surveillance for her, Ms. Donita, and your sister.”
“Good and thanks for taking charge. Appreciate you.”
“You’d do the same for me and mine. The info is on your phone,but Liam Zachary has been cleared of any known criminal activity. Clean record for Leanne Archer and nothing new on Buddy and Saundra Elliott.”
Marc closed his eyes. “Okay. A mistake is out there somewhere, waiting for us to find.”
Shortly after 2a.m., Marc’s cell phone rang with an unrecognizable number. He answered it before a nurse hushed him. “Marc Wilkins here.”
“Agent Wilkins, this is Senator Elliott. I learned you and my granddaughter were injured in a car explosion tonight. Are you all right?”
“Yes, sir. Avery has a few stitches in her right arm and some bruising. But she’s okay.”
“Thank God. And you?”
“Stitches to my head, the hardest part of me.” Marc fought to clear the fog in his brain.
“Sounds like something Abbott would say. My sympathy on his passing.”
“Thank you.” A part of Marc wanted to ask questions about his father, to get a grip on the real man. Maybe another time. “Why weren’t you at the service?”
“A caller threatened to unload on the crowd if Liam and I showed up.”
“Who?”
“If I had the answer to that, I wouldn’t be in this predicament now.”
“Senator, the longer you isolate yourself, the more you look guilty of murder.”
“I haven’t killed anyone, intentionally or accidentally. Neither do I have a suspect. Not yet, anyway.”
“Then why withhold the truth from Avery and send her to me?”
“To protect her. To ensure she is safe from anyone trying to get to me. Someone shot Liam on my property, and your father’s death wasn’t a heart attack. Wish I had proof on that one. But until the killer is found, it’s imperative Avery doesn’t know who pulled the trigger.”
“Didn’t do much good tonight. Ready to turn yourself in? Treat your granddaughter like a mature woman?”
“You’d have a SWAT team all over me. My concern is her welfare and searching for those rear-deep in crimes.”
“Looks to me like the actions of a selfish man.” Marc forced back down the mix of pain and anger to continue the conversation professionally. “My apologies without due respect for your position. I understand how you care for Avery, but your methods haven’t stopped whoever is responsible. Although you claim innocence of having killed Liam Zachary, and Avery believes in your innocence, you’re hiding out. Did you have his body removed?”
“No. But I know who did.”
