Page 32 of Cold Threat

“And Tony and I will do the dishes,” River said. “You really don’t need to wait on us, Beth. Let us do our fair share.”

Beth blushed, her face turning pink. “Oh, pishposh. I like taking care of my family. I’ve missed having people in the house.”

“Gee, thanks,” Ray said with a grin. “Just what am I?”

Beth waved her hand at him. “You know what I mean. Now sit down. I’ll be right back.”

When she was out of earshot, Ray walked over to the couch and sat down. “I turned the card over to our evidence technician. He’s looking for fingerprints and DNA.”

“I know I said this already,” River said, “but I really don’t think you’ll find anything.”

“You know as well as I do that wearing gloves isn’t a guarantee that an UNSUB won’t leave behind something we can use to track him with. If he sneezed. If he coughed. If an eyelash fell out. ... Lots of ways we can find something to track him.”

“You’re right,” River said with a sigh. “Maybe I’m giving this guy too much credit.”

“Like we told you, we never profiled this case as involving two UNSUBs,” Tony said to his dad. “Once we knew there was someone else out there, we decided he was serving Baker—but was the weaker partner. Someone who would stay in the shadows.” He met River’s gaze. “We were wrong ... again. We just can’t let down our guard with this guy. Sending that card. ... Well, he isn’t shy. And if he got into our office...”

“I have to agree with you,” Ray said. “He could be more dangerous than you thought. Of course, maybe harassing you will be the extent of it.”

“I hope you’re right,” River said. She swung her gaze toward Tony. “Did you call Arnie?”

He nodded. “I also called the building manager and told him to let the police into our office. We should hear something back before long.” He looked at his father. “Dad, I really think we should tell Mom what’s going on,” he said, keeping his voice low. “I don’t like keeping this from her.”

Ray sighed. “I know. Let’s finish the movie and have dinner. I’ll talk to her after you two turn in, okay?”

“All right,” Tony said. “She’s a lot stronger than you give her credit for, Dad.”

“I know she’s tough,” Ray replied. “I just hate that she has to deal with this stuff.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It’s the main reason I’m retiring. She wants to travel. Spend more time with me. I’d say after everything she’s been through because of my job, she deserves to have some years where she can stop worrying about me and really enjoy herself, don’t you?”

Tony nodded. “Of course, I do. We’ll all feel better when you retire.”

“I’m relieved you’ve left the FBI,” Ray said slowly. “When you were shot...” He stopped and cleared his throat before going on. “The look on your mother’s face when we got the news.” He looked at Tony, his eyes shiny with unshed tears. “I never want to see that look again, son. Please be careful.”

“We will, Dad. You have my word.”

River was moved by the relationship between Tony and his dad. She couldn’t help but think about her own father, who had betrayed his family. Now he wanted to be reconciled with his children. Why did she keep thinking about him? She purposely pushed thoughts about her father out of her mind as Beth came back into the room with a cup of hot chocolate for Ray.

They started the movie up again, and River leaned back into the overstuffed chair where she sat. With the fire dancing in the fireplace, snow falling past the windows, and George Bailey finding redemption and love in the midst of bitter circumstances, River finally began to relax. Surely on a night like this, evil would stay hidden in the dark, unable to slither out into a world where people were enjoying the beauty of the Christmas holiday.

Of course, she knew that evil loved beauty because its destruction brought incredible joy.

CHAPTER

NINETEEN

Supper was delicious and once again River ate too much. She enjoyed the easy camaraderie that the St. Clairs shared. Obviously, they’d faced their share of trials—Ray’s injuries, Ray’s sister’s violent rape, Tony’s shooting—but through it all they’d bonded. Unlike her family, which had fallen into painful pieces. River was certain that Tony’s family’s strong faith was the key to their closeness and their ability to weather the storms of life. Instead of the judgmental religious spirit she’d been raised with, the St. Clairs operated in the love and grace River now saw in the Scriptures. Although she wasn’t certain she’d ever get married, if she did, this was the kind of family she wanted.

When she and Tony went upstairs to bed, Ray followed them. He called them into his office and shut the door.

“I heard from Lyndon, our evidence tech,” he said.

“Did he find anything?” Tony asked.

Ray shook his head. “River was right. There was nothing to work with. I’m sorry.”

Although she wasn’t surprised, River was still disappointed. This was one time she wished she’d been wrong.

They said good-night, and River headed to her bedroom. Shewanted to take a shower, but she was so tired she decided to do it in the morning. She wasn’t sure why she felt so exhausted. It was probably just stress.

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