Cold Justice Read Online Free PDF Page B

17th, 12:37 PM
     
    ANNIE WAS IN the office doing some invoicing and looking
after a few bills, when the doorbell rang. That’ll be Mom, she thought. She
hurried to the door and opened it.
    Alma Roderick was approaching sixty years old, and despite
her often-sour disposition, had kept a youthful appearance. She was still an
attractive woman, with a good figure. She could be considered beautiful on the
occasions when she allowed her tight lips to unfurl into a smile. It was
obvious where Annie had gotten her good looks.
    She smiled thinly and came in as Annie stepped back. She
bustled straight into the kitchen and sat at the table. She crossed her legs
and looked at Annie who had followed and sat across from her.
    “Hello Mom,” Annie said.
    “Hello, darling. I don’t get to see my daughter enough.”
    Annie faked a smile. “It’s good to see you.”
    “How is Matthew?”
    “Matty is fine, Mom. We’re all doing well.”
    “I am still hoping you will accept my offer and get him out
of that infernal school. You know, Richmond Academy is where he should be.”
    Annie sighed. “Thank you Mom, but he is doing well where he
is. He’s at the top of his class in most subjects.”
    “We are willing to help you with that. Financially, I mean.”
    “Thanks, but no thanks,” Annie said firmly.
    Alma sniffed and looked around the kitchen, as if looking
for a dirty dish on the counter, or a buildup of dust, or anything other than
perfection. She seemed satisfied and turned her nose back toward Annie. “I was
worried about you getting involved in that murderous affair. You could have
been killed yourself.”
    “It turned out fine, Mom.”
    “Still, with a serial killer on the loose, you never know
what’s going to happen.”
    “He’s behind bars. He won’t be hurting anyone ever again.”
    “And they have you to thank for that. I can’t imagine, Jake
getting you involved with that.” She shook her head.
    “It wasn’t Jake, Mother. It was my decision as well.”
    Alma leaned forward, her voice lower. “I seriously hope you
will consider getting out of that dangerous business and getting back into
something safe.”
    Annie stood up. “Would you like a cup of coffee, Mom?”
    “Yes, I have time for a quick cup,” she sighed.
    There was nearly a full pot left, so Annie poured two mugs,
sitting them on the table, along with cream and sugar.
    Alma put half a spoonful of sugar in her cup and poured in a
drop or two of cream. She stirred her coffee thoughtfully, and then said, “Your
father could probably use a bookkeeper if you would consider that.”
    Annie knew her father’s small local trucking and delivery
business had no need of a full-time bookkeeper, so she said, “We’re fine, Mom.
We’re doing well. We’ve had a lot of publicity lately and we can pick and
choose what we do. You don’t have to worry about us.”
    “I still worry. Please stay away from dangerous people. Let
the police do that. That’s what they get paid for, and they get paid well, I
might add.”
    Annie wondered if the modest paycheck the police actually received,
was worth risking their lives for, especially for ungrateful people like her
mother, but she said nothing. It was hopeless to argue with her, especially
over such a pointless claim.
    They sipped their coffee silently for a moment. Finally,
Alma asked, “Where is Jake? Out looking for a job, I hope?”
    “He has a job, and right now he’s delivering some court
papers for a legal firm.” Annie smiled. “It’s quite safe, I assure you.”
    Alma sniffed again and looked at her watch. “ I must go,”
she said as she stood up. “I have to be at work by two. I have a regular coming
in, and she likes her hair done just so. They’d be lost without me there.”
    Annie stood and followed her mother to the foyer. She smiled
as she shut the door, and then sighed deeply, walking back to the office,
irritated and frustrated.
     
     
    Wednesday, August 17th, 12:55 PM
     
    ABIGAIL