Frozen (Detective Ellie MacIntosh) (40 page)

Hathaway wasn’t the only hunter.

She and Bryce were pretty opposite in a lot of ways.

Still, she mused as she watched the flicker of the firelight over his face, this might be … workable.

Yes, Dr. Bryce Grantham was definitely workable if she chose to pursue whatever might happen next.

She was almost positive she would go that direction.

“Think Russell Hathaway will sell the store?” Bryce asked, his long legs extended, a wineglass hanging loosely in his fingers. “It’s been there for decades.”

“What would you do?”

“Yeah, I get your point. I think I’d rather be the serial killer than the parent of one. God knows the world would look at you and wonder what the hell you did wrong.”

She understandably hadn’t been one of the officers who delivered Mr. Hathaway the news, but she knew he’d taken it hard. All of it, from the grim truth, to his son’s death.

“People are stuck on trying to figure out why things happen a little too much. Take Keith Walters. They apparently picked him up yesterday in Missouri because he ran a red light. Still had the gun with him that killed his brother. Why’d he do it? And if he did it, why he’d keep the weapon? What an idiot.”

Bryce just shook his head and drank some wine, his expression drawn in the flickering light. “It doesn’t sound to me like Reginald Walters was much of a loss to this earth, but I do feel bad for Neil’s father. It isn’t just because none of this is his fault. I keep thinking about my parents. They love coming up here and with everything that has happened…” He made a helpless gesture with his free hand.

By tacit agreement they hadn’t talked about the case during dinner, but both of them had been thinking about it, so maybe it was better to just discuss it. Ellie had changed into sweats and was fairly comfortable in her father’s old recliner, a blanket over her lap. No wonder he’d loved the chair so much. The wound felt tight from being stitched, and hurt, but it wasn’t bad. She tucked the blanket more around her and shook her head. “I don’t know. Something like this is never easy for anyone.”

“Neil Hathaway destroyed a lot of lives, and not just those of his victims.”

“True.” She eyed him over the rim of her glass. “But along came you.”

He immediately shook his head, as she’d known he would. A lock of dark hair curled against his cheek. He really could use a haircut, but she kind of liked it a little too long. “I was simply an unwilling participant, believe me. I think it more appropriate to say along came
you
.”

Ellie took a sip of wine, pondered what to say next, and finally, because she really didn’t believe too much in subtlety, stated quietly, “You essentially rescued Jane. I think you’re right, he kept her alive because he wanted to kill her where it would affect you the most personally.”

“You sent me to the cabin for your phone.” His face was shuttered and distant for a minute. “Ellie … God, what if I hadn’t noticed that open attic access?”

“You have a lot to learn about police work.”

“No thanks.”

There was an urge to laugh at his emphatic declaration, but then again, she thought she understood too. “I know it feels wrong that chance is part of the process, but it is. Look at it this way. You
did
find her.”

“You saved her, not me.”

“Maybe so.” She was going to go to sleep soon, the fatigue was creeping in. She whispered, “And the next time you wonder what might have happened if we hadn’t been there, remind yourself that his December girl is safe.”

TOR BOOKS BY KATE WATTERSON

Frozen

Charred
(forthcoming)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kate Watterson grew up on a steady diet of mystery/suspense novels. If it involves murder and intrigue, she is bound to be hooked. Kate also writes award-winning historical novels as Emma Wildes. She lives in rural Indiana with her husband, three children, and a temperamental cat named Poot. Visit her at
www.katewatterson.com
.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

FROZEN

Copyright © 2013 by Katherine Smith

All rights reserved.

Cover design by Drive Communications

Cover images © 2012 by Shutterstock

A Tor Book

Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC

175 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10010

www.tor-forge.com

Tor
®
is a registered trademark of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.

e-ISBN 9781466805842

First Edition: January 2013