Page 27 of Counter Attack

Why don’t I pick you up?

No. I need to build my strength.

Stubborn woman. He stood and offered his hand to Parker. “Thanks for filling me in on George Smith. The more I learn about him, the less I believe he’s the serial killer.”

“Time will tell,” the detective said. “How is Alex?”

“Healing. Her grandparents are happy to have her home.”

“She’s missed around here, for sure, but we were losing her anyway.”

“What do you mean?”

“The captain said her transfer to homicide came in.”

He hoped that didn’t make a difference in whether Alexis took the chief deputy job. He gave Parker a thumbs-up and walked out of his office.

He wasn’t sure how he felt about Carson offering Alexis the job instead of him. For as long as Nathan could remember, he’dwanted to run for sheriff of Russell County when his friend retired, and Carson knew that. The chief deputy position was the position to be in in advance of that run.

Reason nudged Nathan. Carson was looking at the big picture, and Nathan was doing a good job as police chief with the changes he’d implemented. He’d seen to it that Pearl Springs was a safe place to live, and if the town was safe, it made the county safer as well.

Besides, Nathan understood why Carson wanted Alexis to take the interim job. She was capable and would do things the way he wanted them done, and he’d still have control of the office. He would also have his granddaughter home doing a job that was nowhere as dangerous as working the streets of Chattanooga as a detective, especially an undercover detective.

Nathan exited the front door of the building and frowned. Alexis stood near the American flag talking with someone. As he drew closer, he recognized Kayla Jackson, the woman who’d probably saved Alexis’s life that night ... or caused her to get shot—he hadn’t decided which yet. They both turned as he approached.

Alexis nodded toward the woman. “You remember Kayla, don’t you? The captain wanted to talk to her about the shooting again.”

Nathan dipped his head toward Kayla. The last time he saw her, she’d worn dark eye shadow and eyelashes that made him wonder how she kept her eyes open. Today her hair was in a ponytail, and if she had on any makeup, he couldn’t tell it. She looked like a teenager or a college student, which she probably was. “Not much fun having to relive that again.”

“It wasn’t, but I really didn’t mind. He wanted to know if I’d noticed the bag on the assailant’s belt, and I hadn’t, not until that cop found it.”

Nathan hadn’t noticed it either—he’d been too busy worryingabout Alexis. Like now. He didn’t like the dark circles under her eyes. “You ready?”

“Yeah. Gram texted. The nurse said Gramps was resting well and all vital signs were good.”

Alarm lit Kayla’s eyes. “Is your grandfather sick?”

“He had a heart attack.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I hope he gets better quick. Can I do anything?”

“No,” Alexis said. “But it is sweet of you to offer. Are you still working at the Lemon Tree?”

“No. I got tired of men like Houdini and quit last week.”

“Houdini?” Nathan remembered Kayla mentioning that name the night Alexis was shot.

“Houdini is a name we tagged this creep with at the bar,” Alexis said.

“I don’t understand.”

Kayla laughed. “You had to be there.” Then she sobered. “Don’t suppose either of you know of any job openings? I’d like something part-time so I can go back to college.”

“My part-time dispatcher is quitting at the end of the month.” As soon as he said the words, Nathan questioned if it was the right move.

Kayla’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

He supposed he was. Peggy, his office manager, had told him just this morning he needed to fill the spot before Jimmy Arnold left so he could train someone. “The jobisin Pearl Springs.”

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