Deadly as the Driven Snow

by Agnes Alexander

  I put my arms around his waist and felt the bulletproof vest under his uniform. I was glad he had it on. “I feel the same way, but…”

  “No buts, June. If anything like this ever happens again, you tell me immediately. Don’t wait until you get home. Call me the instant it happens.”

  I looked up at him and saw the serious look on his face. “I will, I promise.”

  He leaned close to me. “You’d better.”

  “Come on and eat your breakfast now.” I didn’t tell him I wished I’d waited until after he ate to give him the note, though now I did. “Your eggs are getting cold.”

  He finally released me and sat down. He said a prayer, then looked at me. “Do you plan to go anywhere today?”

  “No. I’ll be cooking and getting ready for Charles and Natalie tonight.”

  “Good. I’d not have to worry about you then.”

  I resisted telling him he didn’t have to worry about me at all. “What time will you be home?”

  “I’ll try to get here by two. Henry is coming in then. Is there anything I can do to help you?”

  “Just give me your support. Other than family, do you realize this is the first time we’ve entertained since we’ve been married?” I was glad he’d finally dropped the discussion of the note.

  “I hadn’t thought of that.”

  “I just want everything to go well. I want you to be proud of me as a hostess at our first real dinner party.”

  “I’m always proud of you, June. Don’t you know that?”

  I saw the love in his eyes and knew he wasn’t trying to placate me.

  After we finished eating, I walked him to the door. He put his arms around me. “Have you forgiven me?”

  “Honey, there’s nothing to forgive. I just want you to take things like that more seriously.”

  “Then you’re not going to fuss at me anymore?”

  “Of course not.” he leaned down and kissed me. “I don’t mean to fuss at you. I was frustrated and scared. I need you to forgive me for raising my voice. I only want to keep you safe and happy.”

  “I’m very happy, and I always feel safe when I’m with you.”

  He kissed me again and said, “I’ll see you around two.”

  I watched him take long strides to his car. When he got inside, I closed the door and locked it. I turned back to the kitchen and laid out the things I planned to cook for dinner. All the time I was thinking that no matter what happened, I was one lucky woman. I had a husband who really loved me, and would protect me with his last breath.

  • ♥ •

  True to his word, it was shortly after two when Jason came home. He ate a sandwich because he’d skipped lunch. When he finished, he went into the bedroom and changed into jeans and a sweater, then came back and asked what he could do to help.

  “Why don’t you build a fire in the fireplace? I think that would be romantic.”

  I had the roast in the oven and knew I didn’t need to put the vegetables on until about five. I looked around. The house was clean, the carpet vacuumed, and the furniture dusted.

  “It smells good in here.” Jason came through the door with his arms full of wood. “Roast? Right?”

  “I hope that’s okay.” I didn’t know why I was a little nervous about tonight.

  “I think that’s wonderful. I hope you’re serving those wonderful mashed potatoes you make.”

  “I am. I know how much you like them.”

  He began placing the wood on the grate. “I’ll peel the potatoes for you whenever you’re ready for them.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I’m doing it, so I won’t be telling a lie.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah. I told Charles I was helping you cook.”

  I laughed and changed the subject. “Whenever you get the fire going, why don’t you go take your shower and then come in here and relax until time to peel the potatoes?”

  “I’ll do that.”

  • ♥ •

  By four he’d showered, dressed in a burgundy turtleneck and jeans and was relaxed and asleep on his recliner.

  I took my shower, dressed and came back into the kitchen. I debated whether or not to wake him to peel the potatoes and finally decided he’d want me to. I walked over to his chair and touched his forehead with my lips. He stirred, but didn’t wake.

  “Jason,” I said softly, and his eyes opened. “Hi.”

  “Hi, yourself.” He straightened the chair. “I went to sleep, didn’t I?”

  “Yes. You must be tired.”

  He stood and stretched. “I’m not that tired. I think I was so content being here with you puttering around in the kitchen that I relaxed and dozed off.” He dropped his arm on my shoulders. “Hum. You smell good.”

  “Thanks. I clean up pretty well sometimes.” I leaned into him and put my arm around his waist.

  “Okay, now,” he said playfully. “Don’t you go getting me turned on. We don’t have time for that.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure. Where are my potatoes?”

  • ♥ •

  At six-thirty, a car pulled into our drive. Jason went to the door and welcomed our guests, who had ridden over together. This was a very good sign!

  Charles was handsome in brown slacks and a beige sweater. Natalie was stunning in winter white pants and a forest green cashmere sweater. She had gold chains around her neck and gold hoops in her ears. I was glad I’d put on my black jeans with a white sweater and accented it with the turquoise squash blossom necklace and earrings Jason had given me for Christmas.

  “This is so nice. I love the fire,” Natalie said as Jason took their coats and invited them to have a seat in the living room.

  “We like it. Especially on these cold winter days,” Jason said.

  “Here you go, June.” Charles handed me a bottle of wine. “We appreciate you cooking for us so very much.”

  “I enjoyed doing it. I love to cook.”

  Jason was putting their wraps in the coat closet. When he turned around he asked, “How about a glass of that wine?”

  “That would be nice,” Natalie said, as she sat on the sofa.

  Charles sat beside her and said, “It should already be chilled. It’s been in the cold car all afternoon.”

  When everyone was served, Jason said, “Here’s to friends.” We all drank, and he went on. “We’re glad you could come tonight. June reminded me today that you’re the first dinner guests we’ve had, other than family.”

  “I’m honored,” Natalie said.

  “So am I,” Charles added. “And from the wonderful smells coming from the kitchen, I’m glad we were invited.” He glanced at Natalie and she smiled.

  It wasn’t long until we fell into easy conversation.

  “June, I must tell you I can hardly keep my eyes off your squash blossom necklace. Is it Navajo?”

  “Yes, it is. It’s very special to me because it was a Christmas present from Jason.”

  “I’m impressed, Jason,” she said. “Not many men would think of something this special.”

  He only grinned at her.

  Charles noticed the picture album on the lower shelf of the coffee table. “Are these your wedding pictures?”

  “Yes,” I said. “It’s also our honeymoon.”

  “Where did you go?” Natalie asked.

  “Hawaii.”

  “Oh, how romantic. I’ve always wanted to go there.”

  “Do you mind if we look at the photos?” Charles asked.

  “Not at all. While you’re looking, I’ll put dinner on the table.”

  “Let me help you,” Natalie started to get up.

  Jason was on his feet. “You go ahead and look at the pictures. I’ll help.”

  I decided to serve the meal family style. I filled all the bowls and Jason carried them to the table. I had put salads in individual bowls which he set at each plate. With the roast and gravy, I’d made mashed potatoes, green beans with almonds, h
oneyed carrots, and had some side dishes with pickles, beets and tomatoes. I made light rolls from my mom’s recipe, but they flopped. I ended up serving dinner rolls I’d picked up at the grocery store. I baked a chocolate cake because I figured everyone liked chocolate. I also had vanilla ice cream to serve with it.

  “Boy, Jason,” Charles said as he cut another piece of roast. “No wonder you married June. A woman who can cook like this is hard to find.”

  “I have to give my mother-in-law credit for that. She said she made sure all her children could cook before they left home. From what I’ve sampled from the rest of the family, she did as good a job teaching them as she did June.”

  “It’s all wonderful,” Natalie said.

  “Thank you,” I said, and tried not to blush. “Everything here is one of Mom’s recipes.”

  “Jason, I was trying to tell Natalie the story about you and June and your fifth-grade science project.”

  “Oh, no.” Jason laughed. “Not the strawberry jam episode again.”

  “I’ll never live that down,” I said. “People only remember how mean I was to Jason in school. Nobody sees how good he has it now.”

  “You’re wrong, June. A lot of people know what a cushy life he has now.” Charles laughed. “He comes into work almost every day with a big grin on his face. We’ll offer him a sweet roll, or a fast food biscuit, and he’ll always say, ‘No thanks. June made pancakes and sausage this morning,’ or ‘June fixed ham and eggs,’ or ‘we had homemade biscuits and ham and gravy,’ or something like that. It makes us all envious.”

  “Don’t kid yourself, Charles. He makes breakfast almost as often as I do. If I had to do it all the time, we’d eat a lot of cereal.”

  “Can you cook, Charles?” Natalie asked.

  “A little, but nothing like this. How about you?”

  “I’m a pretty good cook. My mom was like June’s. She insisted we all learn to make a meal.”

  The conversation flowed easily for the rest of the dinner. When it was over, Natalie insisted on helping me clean up. Charles and Jason went into the living room, and I was sure their conversation centered on their work.

  Natalie said in a quiet voice, “Thanks for having us, June. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you and Jason on a social level, and of course, Charles is everything I hoped he would be.”

  “I’m glad. I had a feeling you two would hit it off.”

  “When he called this afternoon to ask if I’d like him to pick me up tonight, I don’t know what made me say yes. It was so unlike me. I always want my car in case I need to make a quick getaway. For some reason, I felt I wouldn’t want to escape tonight. And I was right. I don’t.”

  “I’m glad you found out Charles is the nice person he appears to be.”

  “Yes, he is.” She smiled at me and placed the last plate in the dishwasher. “Well, looks like that’s it.”

  “I’ll run it later tonight,” I said. “Let’s go join the guys before they get too involved in solving crimes.”

  It was almost eleven when Natalie and Charles left. Jason turned from the door and put his arm around my waist. “Well, Mrs. Striker, I must say, for your first dinner party, you did an exceptional job.”

  “Thank you. I think it went well.”

  “I think before we turn in, I’ll have another piece of cake with a glass of wine. How about it? Want one?”

  “I don’t think so. You go ahead and get a piece of cake and I’m going to put on my nightgown. Pour me a glass of wine and I’ll have that with you.”

  When I returned, he’d finished his cake, turned out the light and was stretched in his chair with his wine. My glass was sitting on the coffee table. The dying fire and the television emitted the only light in the room.

  I picked up my wine and looked at him.

  “I’ve got your place ready right here,” he said, holding out his arm.

  I laughed as I slipped into his chair. I set my wine glass on the table and stretched out on my side next to him.

  He put his glass down and put both arms around me. The small flames left in the fireplace threw a soft glow into the room. I don’t think it was very long until we both fell asleep.

  It was still dark outside when a loud shotgun blast and the shattering of glass jerked us awake.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Jason jumped to his feet. “Stay down, June.”

  “What’s happening?”

  “I’ll be right back.” He ran down the hall.

  I pulled the throw we’d been covered with around my shoulders and slid down in Jason’s chair as another blast came and more shattered glass hit the floor.

  Jason edged his way to the door. He looked out and I saw him raise his gun. He fired, and I sank further in the chair and closed my eyes.

  The squealing of tires answered his shot. He jerked open the door and went onto the porch, firing his gun as he went.

  When he came back inside, he was talking on the phone. “I’m pretty sure it was a Chevy S-10. Black or dark blue. It was only a couple of years old, but it was so dark I couldn’t get a plate number... Okay. Thanks.” He hung up and turned to me. “Are you okay, honey?”

  “Just scared.”

  He turned on the lamp which sat on the side table and gave me an assuring smile. “They got away.”

  “I know.” I started to get up.

  “Wait,” Jason said and picked me up. “There’s glass all over the floor. I don’t want you cutting your feet, and you will with those silk slippers you have on.”

  “The glass is not from our beautiful new door, is it?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  He carried me down the hall to our bedroom. “You might want to get dressed. Allen is on his way.”

  I glanced at the clock on the bedside table. It was three-ten. “What happened?” I asked as I began to put on my clothes.

  “Looks like someone wanted to scare us.” Jason ran his fingers through his hair. He was still dressed from the night before.

  “They accomplished their goal. I’m still shaking.”

  Jason sat beside me. “This was no random shooting, June. I have a feeling they knew exactly where they were and whose house they were shooting at.”

  I turned to his waiting arms. “Why?”

  “That’s the hard part. I have no idea why.” He looked down at me. “But we’ll find out.”

  “How are you going to find out?” I looked at him and answered my own question. “I’m sorry. I know you’ll eventually be able to catch them.”

  “Sure, we will.” He reached down and tied the sneakers I’d slipped onto my feet. “Come on. Let’s go make some coffee.” He took my hand and pulled me up.

  “Want something to eat?” I asked. I knew if I could keep things normal, I wouldn’t fall apart, but it was the latter I wanted to do.

  “Not now. Coffee is fine.”

  I shivered. “The cold air is really coming in.”

  “I’ll get a board and nail it over the glass as soon as Allen gets here.”

  I heard a distant siren, then it cut off. In an instant, a car wheeled into the driveway and almost immediately, Allen came up the steps. “Man, this is a mess,” he said as Jason opened the door.

  “Isn’t it?” Jason stood aside. “Take a couple of pictures, then I’m going to get a board and cover the door before we start looking around. It’s getting cold in here.”

  “Want me to start looking around outside after I get the pictures?”

  “Why don’t you stoke up the fire? It’ll help knock the chill off.” Jason headed toward the garage.

  “Are you okay, June?” Allen looked at me.

  “Just a little shaken up.” I filled three cups with coffee I’d just made.

  He took the pictures, then went to work on the fire. In a few minutes, it blazed up. I handed him one of the mugs. “Thanks,” he said. “I guess you didn’t see anything?”

  “No. Jason made me stay down. I huddled in his chair until they pulled
off.”

  Allen frowned. “Weren’t you in bed?”

  “We were asleep in his chair.” He gave me a strange look, but didn’t say anything else. I added, “We sleep there sometimes.”

  “Well, the chair is certainly big enough,” he mumbled.

  Jason came back in with a piece of plywood and his small tool box.

  Allen moved over to help him, and in a few minutes, they had the gaping hole in the door covered. Allen picked up his coffee and I handed a cup to Jason.

  “Thanks, honey,” he said and turned to Allen. “Turn your car spotlight on the house and we’ll see if we can find any more damage. I kind of think they were aiming for the front door.”

  They both downed their coffee and handed me the mugs. Jason got his coat and the two men started outside.

  “Will you be all right by yourself?” Jason asked.

  I gave him a weak smile. “Yes. I’ll cook some breakfast. That’ll help calm my nerves.”

  He winked at me and went out the door.

  In the kitchen, I began cooking. I fried country ham and put on a pan of frozen has browns. I also put canned biscuits in to bake, and fixed a pot of grits. I waited until Jason and Allen were coming back inside to start scrambling the eggs.

  Allen was saying, “I went ahead and sent for a list of all the newer Chevy trucks in the county, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up. Do you realize how many trucks there are in Edison County that fit that description?”

  “I know.” Jason said. “And the fact that this mess was made with a shotgun doesn’t help, either. At this point, it’s all we have to go on, though.”

  “Why don’t I get back to the office and start writing this up? You take your time about coming in. June probably doesn’t want to be alone right now.”

  I wanted to butt in and say June could take care of herself, but I didn’t get the chance, because Jason said, “I’m going to hang around here for a while, just in case. I’ll be in later if I can get June to go to her Mom’s for the day.”

  “Well, I’ll head out.”

  I did butt in this time. “No, you don’t, Allen. I’ve just cooked breakfast and I expect you to come eat with us.”

  He started to argue with me, but Jason said, “Come on, Allen. You can’t insult my wife. Let’s wash up.”