Page 89 of Concrete Evidence
“When this mess is handled, you’ll need to head back and relax. So far have you been treated well?”
“Yes, sir. Avery’s going to show me how to ride and shoot.”
Granddad chuckled. “She’s the best teacher I know.” He glanced back at Avery. “I’ve hugged Mia, and I’ll meet Mrs. Wilkins in the morning. The bags under your eyes tell me you’re tuckered out. Would you rather talk in the morning?”
“Not at all.”
“Okay. Marc, Shipley, join us in the library downstairs in about twenty minutes. Text me if you need something.”
What she needed was concrete evidence to prove Granddad’s innocence.
Avery and her granddad entered the massive library, and he shut the door. This was his favorite room and no wonder. He’d filled the floor-to-ceiling shelves with books on US and Texas history, politics, religion, philosophy, and biographies. Looking at him standing in the middle of wall-to-wall knowledge reminded her of the photo shoots done here and the countless renowned guests who’ve visited him here.
They sat on the leather sofa, and she held back her many questions for him to begin.
“You believe I’m innocent of Liam’s death?”
“Without a doubt, but I can’t figure out why you wouldn’t tell me the truth. Or why I wasn’t told about Colonel Wilkins’s death.” She paused. “Or should I ask who you’re protecting me from?”
“I’m no closer to the who or the why than before. Liam and I were threatened if we attended Abbott’s funeral, and I chose to spare you the tragic news. Not one of my smarter decisions because you’d still have learned about his death. Now I hear the dam is substandard. Have you ever mistrusted Craig?”
“Never.”
“The diver provided two video logs showing the dam was constructed according to specs.”
“I know. I saw them. Could Craig have falsified the videos?”
“Anything’s possible. Can’t bring myself to say he’s guilty. Neither do I want to add him to the death list.”
“Dad and Mom?”
He clenched his jaw. “I pray not. But someone is determined to ruin me... us.”
“Are you staying?”
“Yes, even if it means an arrest.” He took her hand. “During two separate phone calls, Marc called me a coward for subjecting everyone to the tragedies while I hid. The first time made me furious. The second time knocked some sense into this thick head. He’s a good man, Avery. Every bit as fine as his father, and so much like him.”
“They didn’t have a relationship.”
He nodded. “Abbott and I shared lots of hours discussing our regrets about our kids.”
She glanced at the strong hand wrapped around hers. “I want to be a part of the discussion with Marc and Lieutenant Shipley.”
He rubbed his face. “It could get heated.”
“I’m already in the middle of the storm. The hurricane makes landfall tomorrow morning. Projected at eleven o’clock. Not sure why I’m not out there volunteering with first responders urging people to evacuate.”
“I’m right with you. The dirty side of a hurricane is a powerful enemy. I’ve ordered several cases of water, food, and blankets to be delivered to either Galveston or shelters near the dam as soon as I get an address. Anonymous donation.”
“Thank you. Text Marc and Shipley so we can get started. This will be a long night.”
51
AVERY CHECKED THE PROGRESSof Hurricane Braxton on her phone while Marc and Lieutenant Shipley made their way to the library. The violent, slow-moving storm was forecast to dump an inordinate amount of rain well inland. Local news urged people below Lago de Cobre Dam to evacuate in the event of flooding. The same message she’d heard repeatedly since the dive report.
Granddad welcomed the men and gestured for them to be seated. “Marc, I’d like for you to facilitate this discussion. If not, we’ll end up arguing and accomplish nothing.”
“I’d be honored, sir. I’m laying out facts that aren’t what any of us want to hear. But necessary to get to the bottom of how the Lago de Cobre Dam’s structural problem occurred and the link to the murders. Bottom line is the senator and Avery are legally responsible and are suspects in both criminal activities. Craig’s actions put him at the top of the list with them. Evidence stacks against him if money ishis motive. Until we talk to him, we have lots of unanswered questions. Buddy and Saundra have motive and are persons of interest, which leads us back to at least three deaths, and I don’t believe in coincidences.” Marc turned to Granddad. “I’d like you to tell us what happened prior to Liam’s death.”
