Her Frozen Cry (Detective Amanda Steele)

THREE

Before Amanda and Trent left the cabin, they confirmed the key was inside. With no sign of forced entry, by all indications Alicia had died alone in a locked building.

She and Trent were now parked in the driveway of Alicia’s family home, but Amanda couldn’t convince herself to move. It wasn’t the dread of serving the notification itself, but the recipient causing her hesitation. Tony Bishop.

“You okay?” Trent looked over at her from the driver’s seat.

“I will be. Thanks.” She hurried out of the vehicle now—just to discourage any further conversation on the topic of Tony. As much as her feelings toward him were conflicted, no one deserved to hear their spouse was dead. Even if Tony hadn’t been there for her much after her husband, Kevin, had died, she could be the bigger person and show him genuine sympathy and kindness. She understood some people weren’t comfortable being around widows, even convincing themselves they were doing the one left behind a favor. But the decision to withdraw wasn’t about those mourning; it had to do with a person’s own level of discomfort.

She navigated the walkway to the front of the house. Such a stately structure, impressive even, and she was rarely impressed by such things. Beige brick with white trim and black shutters, it boasted a large architectural footprint with a side porch and double front doors.

The surroundings were also luxurious. The yard was primly manicured, and stone statues adorned the property, which butted against woods at the back. In the summer, the trees would have been aglow in all shades of iridescent greens, and the colored leaves of fall would have the landscape appear on fire.

She stepped up to the landing, sheltered beneath an overhang with two columns on each side.

Trent said, “Wow. This place is incredible.”

She rang the doorbell, and a mini symphony chimed inside the home. Alicia’s money had probably paid for the place. Amanda had never known Tony to be wealthy. He worked as an accountant for a medium-sized firm last she knew, earning a decent wage—but nothing anywhere close to being able to afford this place. Then again, the last she knew, he’d also been married to a woman named Claudia.

She had her finger over the bell to push it again when she felt subtle vibrations beneath her feet. Someone was coming.

One of the doors was opened by a young man of about twenty. He must have seen them pull into the driveway; he wasn’t dressed for going out. Next to him was a boy about ten, swooping a model airplane through the air. No question that they were the children in Alicia’s photograph. At least the eldest must be Alicia’s, probably the youngest too. As far as Amanda knew, Tony had one daughter, Bethany, with his previous wife, Claudia. And, wow, Beth would be in her early twenties by now.

“Yeah?” he said and raised his eyebrows.

“Hi there. We’re looking for Tony Bishop. Would he happen to be home?” Normally she’d be quick to identify herself and Trent as police, but she felt the urge to shelter these boys from her purpose here for as long as possible.

The young man shook his head. “Not at the moment. What’s this about?”

“It’s best that we speak with him directly,” Amanda said pleasantly. “Do you know when he’ll be home?”

“Should be soon. You friends of his?”

Simple question with a complicated answer. Even Trent was staring at her awaiting her response.

“I knew Tony a long time ago.” She answered honestly, steering clear of confirming any sort of relationship.

“If you want, you can come in and wait. He should be here soon.”

Amanda considered the offer. It might be best to wait outside, but given the expectant way both boys were looking at them, she agreed to enter the home.

The younger boy asked, “What are your names?”

“This is Trent, and I’m Amanda. What’s your name?”

“Leo.”

Amanda moved her gaze from the kid to the older son.

“Brad Slater,” he said without further prompting.

The background Trent had pulled on Alicia listed her as thirty-eight. She must have had Brad when she was around twenty, just out of high school or while in college.

“My last name is Rossi,” Leo put out with a grin.

“Nice name.” It also confirmed Leo was Alicia’s son too.

“Thanks.”

“Just come with me.” Brad locked the front door and led them to a sitting area. It was part of a large, open-concept area. The ceilings were two stories high, and a walkway on the second level, with a bar railing, traversed down the center of the house. The color scheme was neutral in grays, creams, and light beiges. Wainscotting turned an otherwise boring wall into a work of art and provided character. The furniture arrangement consisted of two chairs, two sofas, and four cubes that were pushed together to make for an eye-catching coffee table. They could also double as additional seating. Every touch elevated the home on par with a fancy hotel. Such a far cry from the modest two-story home Tony had shared with Claudia.

“Champ, why don’t you go upstairs and play?” Brad put the question to Leo as if all sorts of adventures awaited him.

“Okay.” Leo sounded far from enthused but ran off.

She and Trent sat on the dark-gray couch, while Brad dropped into one of the chairs.

He took out his phone. “I’ll just text Tony to let him know you’re here.”

“Thanks.”

“Yep.” Brad sent the text. “So are you two police?”

“We are. Prince William County PD.” She’d leave out mention of their ranks and department. He was a young man more than child, but the news of his mother’s death was going to profoundly affect him.

“What do you want with Ton—” Brad’s phone chimed, and he looked at it. “He just pulled into the garage.”

A few seconds later, there was the sound of a door opening and shutting. “Brad?” a man called out.

“In here.”

Tony rounded a wall, balancing a pizza box on one forearm and carrying a few cloth grocery bags. He stopped when he saw her. “Amanda?”

She felt Trent watching her profile but refused to acknowledge it.

“Ah, Brad, come get all this, will you? And put it away?” Tony said.

Brad got up but didn’t rush into action by any means. He took the items from Tony into the kitchen, which was straight across from the sitting room, and placed them on the counter.

Tony locked his gaze with Amanda’s as he walked toward her. He stopped a foot away and took her in like she was a unicorn. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.”

“The better part of seven years.” Her heart was thumping. Even her stomach was fluttering. Tony had hurt her deeply when he’d pulled away after Kevin’s and Lindsey’s deaths. Still, her heart was breaking with what she had to tell him.

“You’re looking good.” Tony offered a genial smile.