Page 6 of Cold Threat

River and Tony stopped for lunch and then rolled into Burlington a little after two in the afternoon. Tony drove through a neighborhood full of large homes. A couple of them looked new, but most of them were older, Victorian looking, with turrets and large porches. All the houses and yards were beautifully maintained.

Tony’s parents lived in a big two-story brick home. White pillars held up the roof of the wraparound porch, which circled all the way to the back. It was English manor house meets Victorian roofline ... with a plantation-style verandah. The house looked like something straight out ofSense and Sensibility.It had recently snowed, which made it appear especially charming. Although the Christmas lights weren’t on, River could tell that at night the effect would be beautiful. Magical. For some strange reason, she felt a little awkward. Her childhood house had been an older bungalow—clean but modest. Even after moving out, the places where she’d lived couldn’t hold a candle to this ... mansion. She suddenly felt as if a wedge had just been driven between her and Tony. As if they weren’t as similar as she’d believed.

“It’s ... incredible.”

“It is now,” Tony said. “When my parents bought the house, it was in disrepair. In fact, some of the neighbors wanted it torn down. It was the only house in this neighborhood they could afford. My father spent years fixing it up, adding most of the features you see now. He was determined to make it the kind of home my mother had always wanted. On a cop’s wages, it was the only way he could give it to her. Lots of hard work and determination.” He smiled at her. “You’ll see that my dad is nothing if not determined.”

River felt a sense of relief. She knew better than to think Tony would ever be uppity even if his parents were wealthy. She was aware his grandfather had been a very successful businessman and had left Tony a hefty inheritance. That hadn’t bothered her. So why had she just compared herself to his mother and father? She sighed inwardly. Something else God needed to work out of her. Good thing God measured time differently than human beings. He was certainly going to be quite busy dealing with all her stupid hang-ups.

They got out of the car and made their way up the sidewalk to the incredible wraparound porch. Now that she was closer, she could see the areas that had been repaired. It had been expertly done. The entire floor of the porch had been reworked with treated wood. It was absolutely beautiful.

Tony opened the large wooden door with stained-glass inserts and they stepped inside. “Hello?” he called out. “Anybody home?”

“Tony!” An older woman came from a room to their left. The kitchen. A quick peek revealed white cabinets and dark blue concrete counters. River wanted to see more of it, but instead she turned her attention to Tony’s mother. River could certainly see the resemblance to her son. Her dark hair was streaked with gray. She had warm, dark blue eyes that crinkled at the corners when she smiled. It was evident from her wrinkles that she smiled a lot. River could feel a friendly energy coming from her.

River put her bag down, and Tony’s mother grabbed her hands. “In all the years you’ve worked with my son, I can’t believe this is the first time we’ve met. We kept missing you when Tony was in the hospital. I’m Beth. Ray and I are so happy you’re here.”

River returned her smile. “Thank you so much for asking us to stay with you, but wouldn’t it be easier if I checked into a hotel?”

Beth squeezed her hands. “Don’t you dare. I have a room all ready for you.”

A man came down the huge staircase to their right. He was shorter than Tony, with light brown hair that he combed back. He had a bushy mustache and very intense eyes. It was obvious from his demeanor that this was a man used to being in charge.

“So, this is River,” he said as he reached the bottom of the stairs. “Our son has certainly talked a lot about you. I’m not sure anyone on the planet is as intelligent and intuitive as he thinks you are.” He grinned at her. “I’m hoping he’s right. He usually is.”

Beth had let go of River and was leaning against her son, one arm around his waist. “Of course he’s right,” she said, winking at her husband. “Smooshy takes after me.”

“Mother,” Tony said, his face coloring. “Please don’t call me that.”

Beth laughed lightly at her son’s obvious embarrassment.

“Let me take your bags upstairs,” Ray said.

“Why don’t you both come back down after you settle in?” Beth said. “We can have some coffee and cake before Ray whisks you away to his office.”

“We should get into the case as soon as possible,” Ray said, frowning.

“Pishposh,” Beth said, shaking her head. “There will be plenty of time for that before supper. I want to visit with my son and get to know River.” She pointed at her husband. “You intend to take up most of their visit with this case of yours. At least give me a little time with them first.”

Ray sighed dramatically. “I know arguing with you will be useless.” He winked at River. “My wife has made her famous Italian cream cake. She’s aware that the St. Clair men are totally under her control when she brings out that cake. We all might as well just give in.”

River laughed. “I love Italian cream cake, but honestly, she had me atcake.”

“We’ll unpack and be right back,” Tony said, nodding at his mother. “You’ve won this round.”

Beth smiled. “Good. I’ll put the coffee on.” She turned around and headed back toward the kitchen.

“Are the rest of your bags in the car?” Ray asked as he picked up River’s satchel.

“We learned to pack light when we worked for the Bureau,” River said. “This is it, and I can carry it.”

Ray put it down. “Are you sure? I’m offering to be your pack burro here.”

“I really appreciate that, but it’s not necessary. Believe me, I’ve carried this thing so many times I feel as if it’s a part of me.”

“Just lead us upstairs, Dad,” Tony said. “I assume you’re putting me in my room and River is taking Aimee’s room?”

“That’s it.”

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