Cover of Snow Read Online Free PDF Page A

recall that at the funeral, the Chief’s brother was the only cop to approach me.
    Teggie took the flowers before heading into the kitchen. “I’ll just make some lunch or something,” she said on her way out.
    â€œYour sister’s name is Terry?” Club said, still standing in the same spot. Not long ago, this house had been like Club’s own. The sofa cushions took on his shape when he sat down; he even had his own special glass. But with Brendan gone, it was as if he didn’t fit here anymore. Or maybe it was I who didn’t fit, and everybody was just waiting around awkwardly, wondering when I would figure that out.
    â€œCome on in,” I said, flinching at Club’s formal thanks. “It’s Teggie,” I went on, trailing him. “A family name,” I added vaguely. Well, that was true enough, in a manner of speaking.
    We sat down on the edges of our chairs, Club’s a chintz that didn’t suit him. Club blew into his hands, and I jumped up. “I can turn up the heat—”
    â€œNo, don’t—”
    Our wretched leanings toward politeness subsided when Weekend trotted into the room. I beckoned him over.
    â€œSince when are you my dog’s biggest fan?”
    I rubbed my suddenly itchy nose and Weekend’s flank simultaneously. The dog turned a few times, before lying down on my feet.
    â€œI guess sneezing and sniffling used to bother me more.”
    Club eyed me. His hand made a habitual gesture, a sort of unconscious reaching for the gun he always carried, off duty or on.
    He’d been a linebacker and a right-wing at Wedeskyull High. Fifteen years from now he might be slightly soft, with that padded look muscular men get as they age. But for now Club was in top shape, face always reddened by the wind or sun, with big balls of muscle along his arms, a wide wall of a chest, and a tight, square jaw.
    Brendan had described the way Club snapped handcuffs on as soon as they began questioning someone, the hours he spent at the shooting range.
    I’d always been glad he and Brendan were partners. I saw it simply, in black and white terms. If you were a cop it was better to have someone by your side who might occasionally jump the gun than a man who would hesitate. In exchange for that sense of security, I was willing to ignore the sense I got from Brendan that there was a darker side to Club—not just a readiness or willingness, but an eagerness.
    Of course, in the end, even Club wasn’t able to protect Brendan. Not from himself.
    My eyes burned as if suddenly exposed to smoke. I wanted to see my husband then, with a pull so intense I didn’t think I would survive it. Weekend jumped up on the sofa, draping his body over my form, which had begun to slump.
    â€œThinks he’s a lap dog,” Club said.
    Why did Brendan do it,
I thought to ask.
Do you know? Would you tell me if you did?
But before I could speak, two solid thumps sounded on the front door. Chief Weathers pushed it open as I struggled to get the dog off of me.
    â€œWhat’s up, Chief?” Club asked, already on his feet.
    The Chief scowled, and I realized something must be wrong. Club had known instantly, but my instincts were off, dull now that I no longer heard Brendan taking the stairs at a run, slipping into his uniform jacket as he called out for me not to wait up. Already I was losing the rhythms of a cop’s life, Brendan’s readiness for action, the notion that off duty spells—few and far between with such a small-town force—had to be borne until real time could begin again. I had the sudden, mad impulse to reach out and stop both men from going to whatever it was.
    I settled for taking a step forward, and the police chief’s face finally unfurled.
    â€œNothing at the moment,” he said, and Club’s broad shoulders relaxed.
    â€œWill you stay for a sandwich?” I asked, remembering belatedly how distant the Chief