Page 37 of Counter Attack

“Who was the investigator?”

“Todd Madden.”

“Any other similarities of this death to the others?”

“Other than she resembles me?” Alex rubbed the back of her neck as she tried to recall what was in the files. The details evaded her. Being put to sleep for the gunshot wound had done a number on her memory. “I’ll get Chattanooga PD to share their files on the case.”

He nodded. “I wonder if they’d let me look at the evidence. And I’d like to drive into Chattanooga and take a look at the actual notes. Physically laying eyes on them helps me more than looking at photos. And maybe talk to Madden.”

“I agree. Let me text the captain that you’re coming.” She started to text, then decided it was too much to do on her phone. She stepped to a corner of the kitchen and dialed her former captain. When he answered, she explained what had happened and requested the files.

“The files are digital,” he said. “You want me to email them to you?”

“Yes, but Chief Landry and I will be driving in. Could we see the actual evidence? Clothes, notes with the chess notations, anything else you might have?” She’d thought about it and decided she needed to see everything for herself as well. “And I need to see Todd Madden.”

“None of it’s a problem, except for Madden—he’s in court all day.”

She really needed to compare notes with Madden. “I’ll callhim tomorrow. Could you go ahead and send me the digital files?”

“Sure.”

She disconnected and returned to where Nathan stood. “Madden’s in court all day, but the captain is emailing the files. You can look at everything on the way to Chattanooga.”

“Good. Something might jump out at me.”

Alex hoped so, because she had nothing. She turned her attention back to the victim. It appeared that, like the others, she hadn’t been sexually assaulted. But why this victim? Really, why any of them? Alex simply couldn’t get into the killer’s head. And what were the chess pieces supposed to mean?

She noticed Nathan was looking at the note again. “Do you recognize the chess move?”

He nodded. “It’s a notation for queenside castling.”

“That tells me nothing.” Why hadn’t she learned chess as a kid?

“If it’s the White king, he moves two spaces to the left—the queenside—and the rook jumps over him and ends up on the other side,” he explained, his voice patient. “If it’s the Black king, the same thing happens, only to the right.”

Alex furrowed her brow as she concentrated on picturing the chessboard. “But what does it mean?”

“That and the welcome means the killer is telling you he’s made a shift,” Nathan said quietly.

A knot formed in her stomach. “Like moved from Chattanooga to Pearl Springs.”

“I’m afraid so. I may know more when I see the other notes left by the killer.”

Her phone dinged with a text. Gram.

We’re home if you want to pick up the SUV. Your grandfather is resting.

Alex quickly texted her back.

Thanks. I’ll get someone to run me by there. Leave the keys on the kitchen island and take a nap.

She signed off with a smiley face then turned toward Nathan. “My grandparents are home. Do you have time to run me by to pick up the SUV?”

“Sure. My sergeant has this covered. Let me tell him I’m leaving.”

She followed him outside and spotted Harvey. In a sheriff’s department as small as Russell County’s, being chief of staff didn’t relieve him of investigating. When Alex reached him, she said, “Glad you’re here. I need to go into Chattanooga. Would you take over the investigation?”

His eye twitched. “That’s what I’m here for.”

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