Page 19 of Counter Attack

He chomped down on his and nodded. “Pete still has the touch.”

It wasn’t long before Alexis set her uneaten portion on the plate. “That’s about all I can do for now.”

He half rose. “I’ll get you a to-go box.”

“Not just yet. I want to talk to you about something. Two things, actually.”

He sat back down and waited for Alexis to continue.

“First, I want to thank you for everything you’ve done. I know Pearl Springs probably doesn’t have a lot of crime, but I’m sure you have plenty on your plate without nursemaiding me.”

“We do have crime, but you haven’t kept me from working on it.”

“Which is?”

“Drugs.”

“You’re kidding. I’d hoped Pearl Springs was immune to that problem.”

“Hardly.” Nathan wrestled with how much to tell her. He leaned forward. “That’s why I was at the Lemon Tree the night we ran into each other.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I was getting information about the dealers in town.”

She nodded slowly. “You were meeting with a confidentialinformant. Do you know who the dealers are? Maybe it’s a spillover from the drug dealers in Chattanooga.”

“It’s possible. I have a lead on the locals, and we’re keeping them under observation.”

“You didn’t arrest them?”

“I want the ones selling to them,” he said. A comfortable silence fell between them. “You said two things?”

She pressed her lips together and glanced around at the diner, finally bringing her gaze back to him. “I’ve thought more about George Smith since you asked me earlier. I’m not sure he’s the Queen’s Gambit Killer.”

“What makes you think that?” Nathan had dropped by the Chattanooga PD and talked with Parker two days ago. The detective was more than happy to have the case wrapped up.

“I don’t know ... with his background, Smith doesn’t strike me as someone who could commit five murders and leave no trace evidence behind.”

Nathan had gotten hung up on her knowing Smith’s background and almost missed the rest of what she’d said. “How did you—”

“I was going crazy, lying in that bed, so I called Al Watkins a couple of days ago and asked him to drop the case file off at the hospital.”

“And he did?” Alexis was nowhere near well enough to deal with reading that file. And because she’d shot Smith, she was automatically on administrative leave until the shooting was cleared by Internal Affairs. Not to mention the department psychologist would have to release her back to active duty. Watkins should have known better.

“No, but he came by and pretty well told me everything that was in it. I think he felt a little guilty that he got lost and allowed Smith to practically kidnap me.”

“What makes you think Smith isn’t the serial killer? He had a White pawn in the bag on his belt.”

“Copycat, maybe?” She looked toward the window. “I don’t know ... I just have this feeling we’re not done with the Queen’s Gambit Killer.”

12

Twenty minutes. Alex slowed the treadmill to a standstill and wiped sweat from her face. She’d come a long way in three weeks. Usually, she walked twice a day on the treadmill Nathan had moved into her bedroom, but she’d probably skip the second workout later today.

He’d been a lot of help since Alex opted to stay in Pearl Springs after Gram threw a fit when she wanted to return to her house in Chattanooga. Today they were combining a trip into Chattanooga for her to check on her house and a short scenic tour on a steam engine. Nathan’s idea of her doing something “fun.” It wasn’t Ruby Falls, but she wasn’t up to the amount of walking that trip would take. The scenic tour would be just enough that she wouldn’t need another treadmill session.

Alex picked up her Yeti and sipped the protein shake she’d made earlier—much to Gram’s chagrin. Every morning, it was always the same song.“You need a good, hot breakfast for your body to heal.”

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