Page 10 of Cold Threat

“He wasn’t completely meticulous,” Tony said. “He didn’t realize the couple’s granddaughter was there.”

“Exactly. The only time he’s made a mistake.”

“What happened to the girl?” River asked.

“Angie Mayhew,” Ray said softly. “She lived with her mother but about six months after the murders, the mother died from a drug overdose. Angie went into foster care. I kept in touch with her for a while. In fact, we never told you this, Tony, but your mother and I thought seriously about becoming foster parents and bringing her home. We even talked to workers in the foster care department, but in the end, we decided it might be too disruptive for you kids. Besides, I was afraid I reminded her of a traumatic event that she needed to move past. We finally bowed out.”

“Wow, Dad,” Tony said. “Why didn’t you ever tell me that?”

Ray shrugged. “Painful subject, I guess. I still wonder if we made a mistake. I think about her sometimes.”

“You said you had investigated three murders in Des Moines,” River said. “One you believe turned out to be committed by a different person. That means the first two killings and the ones here are what ... around twenty years apart? That’s highly unusual.”

Ray nodded. “I realize that. After he killed the first couple and set the fire where I was injured—he waited two years before hestruck again. Then the following spring, Arlen Thacker committed murder. Eighteen years later, I believe the same UNSUB who was responsible for the first two killings did the same thing here in Burlington. He followed the same pattern, and two years later, he struck again.” He shook his head. “I realize the time frame is odd, but as I’m sure you know, it’s not unprecedented. Dennis Rader was quiet for more than ten years, until he was challenged by a police chief and irritated by a book about him. I have no idea why the Snowman waited so long....”

“Hold on,” River said. “He’s called the Snowman?”

“At first it was just by me and a few people in Des Moines,” Ray replied. “Unfortunately, the press got hold of it and started calling him that too. I hate stupid nicknames for serial killers as much as you probably do, but if you’ll just hang on, I think you’ll see why we called him that.” He pointed at the file he’d handed them. “Why don’t you both look through the file and all the articles I’ve posted on the corkboard? While you’re doing that, I’ll go downstairs and get us some coffee. Dinner won’t be ready for a few hours. You don’t have to read every single word. Just get a feel for the case.” He stood up from his desk. “Tell me if you see what I do. I’ll explain later why I’m convinced he’s here in Burlington.” Before he opened the door to his office, Ray turned back. “Here’s a clue to help you. Scan all the pictures ... carefully. This UNSUB has to know that I’m aware of who he is. It’s almost as if he wants me to recognize him. It’s weird. I’ve never encountered any other case like this one.” With that, Ray walked out of the room, leaving them behind.

River frowned at Tony. “I’d rather he just tell us exactly why he’s so certain there’s a serial killer in Burlington.”

Tony smiled. “That’s not my dad. He’s very careful when it comes to crimes. His catchphrase has always been ‘Show me the evidence.’ He taught me to approach cases the same way.”

“Which is smart,” River said. “There’s no sense in bringingsomething before a district attorney that can’t be prosecuted because the evidence is shaky.”

Tony shrugged. “All we can do is look at whatever he’s got and let him know if we agree with him. If we think he’s right, then we can start working a profile.”

“He realizes we can only offer an opinion, right?” River said. “We’re not licensed in Iowa. We can’t investigate.”

“Yeah, he’s aware. He’s more interested in the skills we learned in the FBI.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll go through the file,” Tony said. “Why don’t you study the pictures? You’re better at spotting things that don’t belong than I am.”

“Well, I’m not sure about that.”

“I am.”

Tony picked up the murder book and took it over to the table, then he pulled his chair up and began studying police and fire reports as well as the results from the ME’s office. River got up and walked over to the corkboard where Ray had pinned a variety of pictures. What was it he wanted them to see? The devastation was terrible. The bodies burnt beyond recognition.

“When you get to the ME’s reports, I’d like to hear cause of death,” she said to Tony.

Tony snorted. “I’m guessing being burned to death would be COD.”

“You know smoke inhalation usually kills people before the body is actually burned,” River shot back.

“Of course, but there may not be any lungs left, River.” Tony stared up at the corkboard. “Those bodies are not much more than charred bones.”

“Doesn’t this scenario seem weird to you?” she asked. “Why didn’t anyone fight back? It’s like they just lay there and let themselves be murdered. Weren’t most of these people elderly?”

Tony was quiet as he rifled through the file. “Hmmm. You’reright. The first couple was in their sixties. The second death was a woman in her early seventies. I mean, these people aren’t what I’d call elderly, but they’re all older.”

River grinned. “Sorry. The sixties are the new forties, right?”

“We’re uncomfortably close to our forties. Does that mean we’re actually in our twenties? Because when I get out of bed in the morning, I sure don’t feel twenty.” He shook his head. “I’m starting to make the old man sound.”

“What in the world is the old man sound?” River asked, laughing.

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