Page 33 of Cold Threat

Before getting into bed, she called home and talked to Mrs. Weyland.

“We’re doin’ great,” she told River. “I made corned beef and cabbage for supper even though your mother swore she wouldn’t eat it.”

“Yeah, she’s always said she hates it.”

“Well, she ate two helpings and made me promise I’d heat some up for lunch tomorrow.”

River laughed. “If you can get Rose Ryland to eat corned beef and cabbage, you can do anything.”

Mrs. Weyland’s sigh came through River’s phone. “If I really could do anything, I’d make this terrible disease disappear.”

River was surprised to feel tears in her eyes. Her mother’s caregiver was right. Alzheimer’s was a cruel disease, and she hated it with all her being.

“If you need anything, let me know,” River said, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. “And remember to keep the security system armed.”

“I will, but don’t you worry. We’ll be fine. We have some mighty big angels watchin’ out for us.”

“I know,” River said. “Still, I’m sorry you even have to think about this.”

“You know, I really don’t, honey. My security, and your mother’s, comes from God. I gave that to Him when I moved in here. And besides our angels, the police drive by here frequently. I think the neighbors are startin’ to wonder why. Maybe they think we’re up to somethin’ shady.” She laughed lightly. “But it’s put them on their guard as well. We might be the safest house around for miles and miles.”

River smiled. She was upset when Hannah left. She’d certainlyunderstood, but at the time, River couldn’t imagine how they’d get by without her. Yet in her place, God had sent an elderly, gray-haired warrior. Just what she and her mother needed right now.

River said goodbye and disconnected the call. She and Tony planned to leave this weekend. That would give River a week before Christmas to decorate the house and finish her shopping. She’d bought her mother several things and had found a beautiful Bible cover for Mrs. Weyland. Her cover was falling apart. She still hadn’t purchased anything for Tony. He was so difficult to buy for. He was a typical man. Supposedly, he didn’t need anything.

She lay down on the bed, still clothed. Her thoughts went immediately to Aimee. What should she do? It was likely that she would see her again before they went home. Should she call her and try to work things out? Or should she just leave it alone?

As she stared up at the ceiling, thoughts bombarded her mind. Aimee, the Snowman, the Strangler’s partner ... Also, Jacki’s face as well as David Prescott’s kept coming to her. Jacki was obviously killed by Baker. He’d used her to lure them in. But what about David? If he really was dead, it had to be at the hands of Baker’s partner. Was it his idea, or was he getting orders from Baker? Joseph Baker was in prison and was watched closely. Every piece of mail was scrutinized. Every call listened to. Prison officials had been alerted about Baker’s partner, but they couldn’t find any communication between the two. She and Tony knew it happened all the time, though. Secret codes were given to relatives or messages were sent out through other inmates. Especially those getting out of prison. The last time Arnie checked, though, Baker hadn’t made any friends. He stayed isolated from everyone. And there hadn’t been any visitors. So, if he was sending instructions to someone, it was being done in some way that had escaped the warden’s radar. Unless someone at the prison figured it out, there wasn’t much they could do. So far, Baker’s partner didn’t seemto be following any kind of pattern they’d expected, which made the situation even more difficult.

Knowing that she and Tony had been wrong and that it had almost cost them their lives had shaken them both. Besides the physical and emotional trauma they’d suffered, the loss of faith in their ability to accurately profile Baker had made it easier to leave the FBI.

River sighed loudly. This was getting her nowhere. She needed to sleep. They’d be at it again tomorrow. But this time, there wouldn’t be any lunches with Aimee or tours of Burlington. She needed to clear her mind so she could concentrate only on the profile. There were too many voices in her head, competing for space. And then there was the dream.Look for the children. It’s for them.At least Tony hadn’t treated her like she needed psychiatric help.

She forced herself to get up and change into her sweats and T-shirt. Then she climbed back into bed. Maybe tomorrow things would be clearer.

CHAPTER

TWENTY

River was having some strange dream about shopping with her mother in a store that only sold miniature animals when Rose turned to her and began calling her name. River tried to tell her that she was standing right next to her and that she didn’t need to keep repeating her name over and over when she realized it wasn’t her mother’s voice she was hearing. It was Tony’s. She opened her eyes and found him standing over the bed. Thankfully, she’d left the lamp on the nightstand on. If she hadn’t, his presence might have frightened her.

“River, I need you to wake up,” he said, touching her arm.

“What ... what’s wrong?” She sat up and looked over at the bedside clock. Two-twenty in the morning?

Tony sat down on the edge of the bed and ran his hand through his hair. He was wearing sweats just like her but while her T-shirt had a picture of Scooby-Doo, he wore an FBI sweatshirt. He looked upset.

“There’s been a fire. Dad got a call about it. They’re saying it’s arson.”

“Is it ... is it the Snowman?” The fog of sleep was finally beginning to clear a bit.

“Looks like it. But something unusual has happened. Dad thinks it could finally lead us to finding the man responsible.”

Now she was wide awake. “What do you mean?”

“I’m not sure. Dad wouldn’t tell me. He should be home soon. I’m sure we’ll get more details then. If you want to go back to sleep, I can wake you when he gets here. Or maybe you want to wait until the morning...?”

River grinned at him. “You know me better than that.” She turned in bed and swung her legs over the other side. Then she got to her feet. “I need to run a brush through my hair. I’ll join you ... in the office?”

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