Page 7 of Cold Threat

“I didn’t think you’d actually lived here,” River said.

“I didn’t really. Just summers while I was in college,” Tony said. “But they’ve kept my room and Aimee’s just the way they were. I think they’re hoping we’ll move back some day.”

Ray laughed. “You’ve uncovered our evil plan.” He smiled at River. “The truth is we use them as guest rooms now, but Tony and Aimee do stay here from time to time.”

River frowned. “I guess I misunderstood. I thought Aimee had her own home here in Burlington.”

Tony sighed. “She does. Now you see how creepy this really is.”

Ray shook his head. “She was sixteen when we moved. Twoyears later she started college and only came home on breaks and in the summer. Tony had graduated and had just been offered an internship with the FBI—but we still wanted him to have a room when he came for visits.” He smiled. “And no, neither one of them has stayed here much, but at least the rooms are here if they need them.”

Tony rolled his eyes, and River grinned at him.

Ray started up the stairs while Tony and River followed behind him. River let Ray get ahead of them a bit before she looked at Tony and whispered, “Smooshy?”

Tony shook his head. “Why is it that it only takes a few minutes with my parents before my hip persona is destroyed and I become Smooshy?” He kept his voice low so his father couldn’t hear. “Don’t ask where the name came from. You’ll never think I’m cool again.”

“That won’t be a problem.”

“Really?”

River raised one eyebrow. “Yeah, I never thought you were cool in the first place.”

Ray stopped at the top of the stairs and looked back at them. “What are you two whispering about?”

“Nothing important, Dad,” Tony said.

He shook his head. “Okay, if you say so. Tony, you know where your room is. I’ll show River where she’ll be staying.”

“You really don’t need to, Dad. I can do it.”

Ray stood there for a moment and then shrugged. “Whatever you want.” He pointed down the hallway. “I’ve turned our actual guest room into an office. That’s where we’ll talk after your mother’s cake.”

“Okay,” Tony said. “Thanks, Dad. I’m really glad to be home.”

Ray smiled. “We’re very happy that you’re here. It’s been too long. I’ll see you downstairs.”

As Ray headed down to the kitchen, Tony frowned at River.“The rest of the time we’re here, please refer to me by my given name. I won’t respond to anything else.”

River tried to look serious. “I understand, I really do. I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.” She swung her hand around, gesturing toward the upstairs rooms. “Now, if you’ll just show me to my room ... Smooshy.”

CHAPTER

FOUR

He’d rented an office in her building just to be near to her, and he’d grown a short beard and a mustache. He’d also colored his hair and wore glasses. He was pleased with his transformation. At first, he wasn’t certain what kind of business he would tell the landlord he was in. He finally settled on a debt-recovery company. Not a popular concept for most people. He believed most of the building’s clients would leave him alone, and if anyone did approach him, he would simply tell them he was too busy to accept new customers. The sign on his door read only TSRS. The building’s manager hadn’t asked him what the initials stood for, but he was prepared just in case. He was calling himself Thomas Sullivan, so “Thomas Sullivan Recovery Solutions” was a sensible response if he needed one.

Although the initials wouldn’t mean anything to River Ryland now, eventually she’d figure it out. Of course, by then it would be too late. He’d killed the punk who’d tried to end her life last month. No one was to have that privilege except him.

He’d stayed late one night after he’d moved in and was able to get into her office after they’d gone home. It didn’t take any time at all to install a bug. Although there were some cameras invarious places in the building, there weren’t any in the area on the second floor where their investigative office was. After installing the bug, he’d listened as they made plans to go to Iowa. He’d thought about following her but then realized that he wanted to end her life here. He’d already formulated a plan and didn’t want to change it. The Mississippi River was calling her name, and he intended to respond. They planned to return this weekend. That would give him several days to get everything ready.

Although she didn’t realize it, River Ryland’s existence was balancing on the edge of a precipice. Soon, he would push her over.

AFTER DRINKING COFFEEand enjoying cake with Beth and Ray, River and Tony headed back upstairs to Ray’s office. River was surprised by what she saw. Ray had installed a large dry-erase board on one wall. Next to it was a huge corkboard with pictures and newspaper articles pinned to it. It reminded River of times at the BAU when they’d been working on a profile. It was obvious Tony’s father was serious about this case.

River looked around the rest of the room. Ray had a large desk in the corner with papers piled on its top, and next to it were two four-drawer filing cabinets. She glanced over at Tony. He seemed surprised as well by what his father had done. He looked over at her and gave her a quick shrug, confirming that this was beyond what he’d been expecting.

“Hold on a minute,” Ray said. “Let me grab a card table and a couple of chairs.”

---