Page 30 of In Cold Blood (High Peaks Murder, Mystery and Crime Thrillers #1)

T he thought of visiting his father that evening felt like a dark cloud hovering over his head just waiting to unload. Noah had always likened his father to the weather of the Adirondack region’s “shoulder seasons” — unpredictable.

The only consolation was that Ray and Maddie were meant to be joining them for supper.

Still, even that wouldn’t prevent his father from tossing out a few underhanded jabs.

The reality was the two hadn’t been together in a room for longer than a few minutes since his mother’s funeral.

It was mind-boggling. He’d tried. He really had over the years.

Staying away wasn’t ever something he wanted.

Family was family after all. But not having the support of his father in his early years, at a time when he needed it, made attempts to reach out that much harder.

More often than not he would simply leave messages on his voicemail.

Happy birthday. Hope you have a good Christmas. Just checking in to see how you are. It was like talking to a wall. He’d always wondered if his father listened to them or simply hit delete .

Now as he made his way back to town that afternoon, his mind drifted back.

In the days after Noah’s mother died, Hugh’s animosity had only increased toward Noah, finally coming to a head when Noah told him he was leaving town to join the military.

They’d already discussed his future. At least the one Hugh saw him having — a career at the Sheriff’s Office, following in his footsteps.

Noah had told him he’d eventually pursue law enforcement but he would do it in his time and when he did it, he didn’t expect it to be in the county.

Somehow, Hugh couldn’t wrap his head around that one.

Hugh had told him in no uncertain terms that if that was his decision, to not expect any financial assistance or to even return for that matter. If service with the Sheriff’s Office was good enough for his father and his before that, it should be enough for him.

It wasn’t.

Sure, he could have done it. Appeased his father. Followed in his footsteps — but it was never really about that. It was about saving face. It was about having townsfolk talk. Nothing more than a form of control. At least that’s what Noah believed.

Now he wasn’t so sure.

As Noah got nearer to his father’s place, he eyed the soaring 4,000-foot peaks of the Adirondack Mountains and the smaller ones nestled among the giants.

It was a breathtaking sight. Each peak seemed to rise out of the earth, growing taller and more majestic the closer he got.

Many were gently rounded, smothered in lush green forest, while others were jagged and rugged, with rocky outcroppings and snowy summits.

Mount Marcy and Whiteface Mountain towered above them all, their peaks shrouded in mist and clouds, welcoming explorers, snowboarders, and campers alike.

Seeing it again left him awestruck.

Even though he hadn’t stepped foot in the family home in over twenty years, he knew the route like the back of his hand.

The modest waterfront property was set back from Mirror Lake Drive and buried in the woodland.

The winding road, and the smell of the pines that framed it on either side, brought a wave of memories.

Like being transported back in time, he could see himself running through the forest and exploring the streams. The earthy smell brought back a slew of moments, campfires, fishing, and time with his mother.

Noah veered off onto the driveway that took him down a long lane.

Despite the past, he still felt a fondness for his childhood home.

As he pulled into the driveway with the wide garage at the end, he noticed the Dutch Colonial home had been renovated since he last saw it with the completion of the upper deck over the garage and off the primary suite.

His mother had wanted that for a long time.

She never did get to see it built. The grey roof looked new as did the siding and a new deep redwood door that matched the garage.

Missing were the baskets of flowers his mother used to hang from the wraparound porch. Still, there were two Adirondack chairs and a porch swing perched to the left of the door.

There were no vehicles in the driveway which was odd.

Noah glanced at his watch as he killed the engine. He was on time. Not too early. Not late. Either one could be problematic. Ray and Maddie should have been there by now. They knew what a stickler Hugh was for being prompt or even early.

Getting out of the truck, he took the leash to connect to Axel but the dog just hopped out and began sniffing the ground, his tail wagging as if he was familiar with the place. “Okay,” he muttered.

Noah soaked in how tidy the front yard was. It was greener than green just the way Hugh liked it. Although the man had worked all hours under the sun, he’d always made sure to pay a landscaping company to maintain it.

As a teen, it struck him as odd since no one else could see it from the road.

It wasn’t like they had to maintain it for the sake of a neighborhood or even those who would drift by on their boats.

He wouldn’t have minded if his father was there to enjoy it but most of his memories were of Hugh arriving home after dark.

There would be a few short words muttered before he would retreat to his study.

Making his way up a winding stone path, Noah tried the door handle.

It was locked. His mother never left it locked but back then few did. It was a different era where neighbors looked out for one another. Times had changed. Noah gave it a short knock and waited, looking down at Axel who looked up at him in a way that seemed as if he was picking up on his anxiety.

Hugh opened the door and Axel went nuts, wagging his tail. Hugh dropped to a crouch to greet the dog. “Axel.” He looked up as he ran his hands through the dog’s hair. “Kerri never mentioned you would be taking him.”

“A last-minute decision to visit her mother.”

“Huh,” he said, rising and looking him up and down. “Well come on in.”

Noah was hit with the familiar aroma of home. It was distinct. Something that couldn’t be forgotten; unique to every family house. The only thing missing was his mother’s hearty welcome, the laughter, and the love she shared.

“Where’s Ray and Maddie?”

“They can’t make it.”

“So it’s just you and me?”

Hugh chuckled but didn’t respond to that. “You can let him off the leash. He’s familiar with the layout. Luke always let him roam. I fenced in the backyard a few years ago, mostly because of the grandchildren visiting. I guess Axel will have to suffice, hey boy!”

Noah found himself lost in thought as he wandered through the house, reliving the past and feeling a deep sense of nostalgia. Every room held a different memory.

The kitchen out back was bright, the glow of a pendant light lit up the glossy granite countertops and sleek stainless-steel appliances.

The cabinets were modern, rich, dark wood with soft-close drawers and under-cabinet lighting.

The backsplash was a mosaic tile design.

At the center was a large island with a built-in gas stove and a modern sink with a high-arc faucet.

Around that were stools. “Glass of wine or a beer?”

“Juice, if you have it.”

Hugh snorted, reached into the fridge, and then poured himself a glass.

Noah noted the wine rack only had a couple of bottles. Hugh caught him staring.

“It’s not empty. I just don’t drink as much as I used to,” he said, handing him the glass.

Noah didn’t buy it for one minute. Not after the way he saw him guzzling alcohol at the funeral. “Can’t do it with all the medication the doctor has me on for my heart. You know I had open heart surgery a few years back?”

“No.” He wanted to say that would have required Hugh to pick up the phone when Noah called but he let it slide. If he was going to be there for a few hours, he didn’t want to shoot himself in the foot in the first few minutes. “How did it go?”

“Ah, nothing I couldn’t handle.” He went to the back door and opened it. “Go on, Axel.” Axel zipped outside and began sniffing. Hugh watched him as he held a glass of orange juice. “ Though it would have been easier if your mother had been here.”

And there it was. The bomb dropped.

It was only a matter of time before Hugh would segue into who was to blame for something that was out of their control.

Surprisingly though, Hugh sidestepped it.

“But that’s passed. Though I do miss her.

” He went over to a photo of the two of them from back when they were in their forties.

“You, uh, found a lady friend yet? Since Lena, I mean.”

Noah swallowed a mouthful of his drink. “Not so far.”

“Have you seen her since you’ve been back?”

“Today actually.”

“How was she?” Hugh turned, leaning back against the counter, regarding him through sober eyes.

It was a new look. He genuinely looked interested.

Maybe retirement was doing him good. Of course, he didn’t drink while he worked but his interactions with Hugh outside of work when he was younger almost always came off the back of two fingers of bourbon.

“She’s engaged to a pastor.”

“That’s right. To Aiden West. I know his father well.”

“She looked good. Happy.”

Noah set his drink down.

“Does it bother you?”

“No. I would rather she be happy, especially for Ethan and Mia’s sake.”

“No. I meant that he’s a pastor?”

Noah glanced at his father but didn’t reply.

The answer was obvious. How could he not see it for what it was?

He walked over to the back door and watched Axel zooming around the backyard, getting all that pent-up energy out of his system.

Kerri and the kids may have formed a bond but Axel was a working dog, through and through.

He needed something to do. What would become of him now that Luke was gone was anyone’s guess .

“Did you hear they found Keith Erikson’s body?” Noah asked.