Page 61 of Cold Threat

Tony frowned at her. “Youadorecats? I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say you adore anything.”

River shrugged. “Maybe I’m changing.”

“Maybe.” Tony appeared to study her for a moment before saying to his mother, “If Dad needs me, tell him to call. We’re hoping he’s uncovering something that will help us with the case.”

“I’ll do that,” Beth said. “You and Aimee have fun.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

Tony walked out of the kitchen, but he was back within seconds. The look on his face caught River’s attention.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

Tony didn’t answer, just opened the curtain over the sink. He turned around and looked at her and Beth.

All he said was, “It’s starting to snow.”

CHAPTER

THIRTY-FIVE

River’s heart seemed to beat a little faster at the sight of snow. She quickly grabbed her phone and checked the radar, along with the weather report. She took a deep sigh of relief before she said anything to Tony and Beth.

“Just flurries this morning. The big storm is still predicted for tomorrow. It’s okay.”

“Do you think the Snowman is going to strike again?” Beth asked. “I thought he always waited a couple of years before his kills. Do you really believe he’s going to try to murder someone else?”

Tony walked over to his mother, who was putting cinnamon rolls on a plate for River. He took her hand. “We’re not sure, Mom. River and I think it’s a possibility. His last victim lived. We’ve studied enough of these serial killers to suspect that if he can’t get to Sandra Cooper, he may feel the urge to murder someone else. He’s narcissistic. He could feel the need to show us he’s still in control. Of course, this is just conjecture at this point. Nothing to worry about ... yet.”

“I’ve seen enough during all the years with your father to suspect you may be right.” Beth gazed up into her son’s eyes. “You all be careful, do you hear me?”

“The Snowman isn’t interested in us,” Tony said. “We’re not on his radar.”

“Well, I hope not, but I still want you to be cautious.”

Tony raised his mother’s hand to his lips and lightly kissed it. “You have my word. We’ll watch our backs. We’re both armed, and we both know how to protect ourselves.”

As Tony tried to comfort his mother, River couldn’t help but flash back to the night on the bank of the Salt River. They’d been armed that night too, but it hadn’t saved them. She wondered if Tony was thinking the same thing.

Tony said goodbye and left, shooting a look at River before he walked out. She could tell he wanted her to keep an eye on his mother, which of course she would do. Beth put River’s plate down in front of her. The scent of warm cinnamon and frosting made River suddenly feel ravenous.

“Thank you,” she said to Beth. She bowed her head and prayed silently before stabbing the first roll enthusiastically. She put the first bite in her mouth. It was delicious. River had always thought her mother was a good cook, but Beth was even better.

“You like it?” Beth asked after pouring herself another cup of coffee and sitting down at the table.

“The wordlikeisn’t strong enough,” River said, grinning. “These are phenomenal. I was just thinking that you might be the best cook I’ve ever known.”

Beth laughed. “I appreciate that, but my mother outshone me in every way. Almost all the recipes I use came from her.”

“Is she still alive?”

Beth’s smile faded. “No, she’s not. She died a few years ago. I miss her every day.”

River wondered if she’d feel that way when her mother passed away. She couldn’t be sure, but she doubted it. Although Rose had been sweeter lately, the years of disapproval and harsh judgments had taken their toll. Suddenly, an image from the movie last nightflashed in her mind. Christ had also taken her mother’s sins upon Himself. Could River place her mother’s failures on that cross? Could she forgive and grant her mother a fresh start? Somehow, she had to find a way.

“You okay?” Beth asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I ... I watched a movie last night that really impacted me.”

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