Correct usage of words and expressions (English)?

I'm writing my first story in English, and there's a few words and expressions I'm unsure of, if they're used correctly, in the right context and such (like "vibrating pulse", "laden with", "emanating" and more below).

Here's the text:

A buzzing sound emitted from a generator somewhere in the building, mixed with a persistent ticking from an unknown clock, and every now and then a passing train sent a vibrating pulse through the walls of the building. The room had a heavy atmosphere laden with the smoke of cigarettes and the oaky harsh smell of Jack Daniel's, with a tension emanating from the grotesque photographs spread across the wooden table.

Olivia focused her eyes/gaze (is eyes and gaze both acceptable in this context, does one sound better than the other?), ignoring the throbbing headache pounding her temples, as she once again meticulously studied a photograph of the most recent killing. Detail by detail, the scene depicted an exact reproduction/copy (better word?) of all the previous killings. The display, the jaw, the metal… It was identical, with the same message left on the wall… Come find me.

Russel finally broke the silence with an irritated grunt. “We've been at this for hours”, he signed and rubbed his bearded jaw.