Page 58 of Concrete Evidence
“I’m fine.”
She glared at him. “You’re a poor liar. Son, I will find out the truth.”
Roden sipped on a tall glass of iced tea and lemonade. “He has a hard head, and the stitches improve his face.”
“You are as bad as he is. I’m positive this wasn’t an accident. Do you want to ask me why?”
“Sure,” Roden said.
Marc gritted his teeth and waited for her to offer an explanation.
“I received a phone call from a woman looking for you.”
“When?”
“About nine thirty this morning.”
“What did she say?”
“She needed to talk to you about an important matter. I asked for her name and number, but she said you wouldn’t recognize either. After she hung up, I had a few thoughts of my own.”
“Such as?”
“Why call here instead of your cell or work phone?”
“Remember Tessa’s grandmother is in hospice, and I gave the agency your number in the event she passed and couldn’t reach me.” The senator said someone from his circle might call, but he didn’t have Mom’s number. Or the need for it.
Mom eyed him suspiciously. “The woman wasn’t Tessa or an older woman or a woman who represented hospice. Why wouldn’t she give me a reason for wanting to talk to you?”
Marc couldn’t think fast enough to answer. “Give me the number, and I’ll call her back.” When Mom gave it to him, he inwardly cringed. It was the same number used to contact the three men and Avery. Marc pressed in the digits to appease Mom, but the call went nowhere. He smiled at her. “I couldn’t leave a message. Tells me she didn’t really want to talk.”
“Ms. Donita,” Roden began, “hospice’s guideline may not permit offering sensitive information to nonfamily members.”
“Marc isn’t Mrs. Litton’s family.”
“Hold on a minute. Let’s get this figured out now.” Marc phoned Tessa to see if anyone there had contacted his mother.
“Not me,” Tessa said. “I’ll talk to the nurse.” She returned momentarily. “Nothing from hospice or their office.”
Marc relayed the conversation. His mom crossed her arms again and demanded an update on his investigation.
Marc gave her the same “can’t provide you with details” as he’d told Avery. “Did my father store any of his things here?”
“No. Why? Are you assuming we were keeping more than a relationship from you?”
“Not at all. I’ve been looking for something of his, and it wasn’t in the boxes I picked up at his office.”
“Marc, the Army made their statement public,” Roden said. “You can tell her.”
“What statement?” Mom moved deeper into stressed mode. The flush rose higher in her cheeks.
“The gun used to kill Liam Zachary...” He held up a palm. “Yes, the shooting happened after Father’s heart attack. Apparently the gun was stolen but we don’t know by whom.”
“Stop dancing around the situation and tell me what’s going on.”
“I’m worried someone might think you have condemning information. Did you and my father have a conversation that puzzled you or meant nothing at the time?” Marc didn’t want to build a wall between them about his father.
“I’ve shared it all with you.” She closed her eyes. Her knee bounced. “If I have this straight, you’re here because you’re afraid I’m in danger, and the injuries from a so-called fall gave you an excuse?”
