Page 12 of Counter Attack

The second victim of the Queen’s Gambit Killer. “Is that the one you knew personally?”

She nodded. “We connected when I volunteered at the women’s shelter. I met Rebecca—she liked to be called Becky—not long after the first victim was killed. A group from the women’s shelter was handing out coffee near 23rd and Main Street and I gave her a cup of coffee on a cold November night. Becky wanted off the streets, and I talked her into going to the shelter. We met at least once a week for a couple of months. The last time I saw her alive, I took her to my hair stylist—she had a job interview the next day and wanted her hair cut and styled like mine. A couple of weeks later I heard she was working the streets again.”

“And then she was killed.”

Alexis turned and stared out the passenger window. “Yeah.”

A few minutes later Nathan parked in front of the small house Alexis rented. He turned to her and tensed at how tired she looked already. “Are you sure you feel up to this? I can drive your grandmother here—she’ll be happy to gather what you need.”

“Are you kidding me? Judith Stone would have a stroke if she saw some of the outfits I wear for undercover work.”

Since Alexis was dead serious, Nathan coughed to cover a laugh. “You’re probably right there.”

“Besides, she’d clean my house out, thinking I’m going to stay in Pearl Springs.”

Alexis had made it perfectly clear she’d be returning to Chattanooga. “You might change your mind once you get home.”

“This is home.” She nodded toward the house.

“What do you have against Pearl Springs?”

“It’s not that I have anything against Pearl Springs—it was a great place to grow up ... but once you’re an adult, everyone wants to know your business. And then there’s grannies like Mrs. Jones trying to fix me up with her grandson...”

“What’s wrong with Teddy?”

Alexis pinched the bridge of her nose. “Nothing, but he’s already dating someone. At least that’s what he told me the last time I was in Pearl Springs and stopped by the drugstore to pick up medicine for Gram.”

“Then why is she trying to fix you two up?”

Alexis palmed her hands. “I don’t know. And Mrs. Jones isn’t the only matchmaker in town. Besides, there’s nothing to do in Pearl Springs except watch TV.”

“Well, we do have the state fair coming up, and besides, peace and quiet isn’t a bad thing,” he said. “And in my line of work, everyone watching out for their neighbor keeps my workload down.”

“Are you telling me you enjoy all those little old ladies trying to fix you up with their granddaughters and great-nieces?” She unsnapped the seat belt, and the small pillow he’d placed between her chest and the belt tumbled to the floor.

“At least they care. How many of your neighbors have even checked on you while you’ve been in the hospital?”

Nathan waited for an answer as she fumbled with the door handle.

“Okay, so I haven’t exactly gotten to know my neighbors, but I’ve been so busy...”

“Outside of work, how many friends do you have?”

For an answer, she pushed the door open and swung her legs around.

“Hold on. Let me help you.” For a second, he thought she was going to plow ahead, then her shoulders sagged.

“Sure.”

Nathan jogged around to her side of the pickup before she could change her mind. “I know you have long legs, but not that long. Do you want to use the step, or would you let me pick you up and set you on the ground?”

“Step.”

He set it in place, and Alexis slid her foot to the side bar, then leaned on his arm as she put her feet on it then the ground. She stood still a minute as sweat beaded her face.

“I don’t think leaving the hospital this soon was a good idea,” he said. It’d been a week since the shooting, and while the doctor had released her, it was only because Alexis had threatened to check herself out if he didn’t.

“I can sleep at Gram’s. That’s all I was doing at the hospital, and besides, sleeping won’t get my strength back.”

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