Deadly Row, A - By Casey Mayes Page 0,28
him talking to his landlord, and he was really laying into him.”
“Then you know what I mean. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I saw him again, and I was relieved when he volunteered to help me. That’s a good sign, as far as I’m concerned.”
He yawned, and I matched it without realizing it.
As Zach stood, he said, “It’s been a big day, hasn’t it.”
“It’s hard to believe we were home this morning,” I said.
“Has coming back to Charlotte made you sentimental for the good old days at all?”
“It was great seeing Sherry and her girls today, but I can’t imagine living back here again. I love the mountains.”
“Believe it or not, I do, too. We’re close enough to Asheville if we need anything, but we’re still far enough away so it doesn’t feel like we’re closed in at all. I forgot what all this car exhaust smelled like, and I don’t even want to think about dealing with the traffic.”
“But a little excitement now and then is okay, too, right?”
“Everything in moderation, Savannah. Let’s call it a night. I’m going to get an early start tomorrow. What are your plans for the day?”
“I’ve got breakfast with Lorna in the restaurant, and then I’m coming back up here to create a puzzle. It’s not going to be a hard one; I can tell you that. My editor isn’t crazy about me sending him easy puzzles, but every now and then, I think the readers like them.”
“After you’re finished tomorrow, come to the station and we’ll grab some lunch. You’ll be done by then, won’t you?”
“I certainly hope so.”
As Zach headed for the bedroom, he asked, “Are you coming?”
“I think I’ll stay up a little, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not. Just don’t stay up too long. You’ve got a big day tomorrow.”
“Don’t remind me,” I said.
He kissed me, and then Zach disappeared into the other room to get some rest. I moved back to the window and stared outside again. Charlotte was at its most beautiful, and I couldn’t get enough of the view. Though I loved living in the mountains and had lobbied for the move for years, it was still nice to visit the Queen City now and then. The view from this height made the city look clean and safe, like no harm could befall me there. I knew better, though. There were more murders being committed in the city than Zach was worried about, and I knew that injustices were being done with alarming frequency, but I wasn’t about to let that bother me. There was a great deal more good in the city—and the world—than there was bad, and even though Zach’s line of work focused on the evil people did to one another, I liked to think instead about the countless acts of unselfish goodness that went unnoticed in the paper and on the evening news.
Chapter 7
EVERYTHING WAS BEGINNING TO FALL INTO PLACE. THE killer studied an unfinished puzzle taped to the wall, figuring where each number and letter should go. It was complicated, making up clues to match the final outcome, but a little pain was necessary. If it was easy, anyone could do it, and this was the most complex killing spree that anyone had ever seen. The former police chief was good, that’s why he’d been brought in, but he was no match for the murderer’s skill. Sending the picture of his wife had been a nice touch, one that would make the game a little more personal.
That would make the ultimate victory that much sweeter.
It was time to elevate the stakes.
Let them all have a taste of who exactly it was they were dealing with.
Chapter 8
I WASN’T SURE HOW MUCH GOOD THE SLEEP ZACH MANAGED to get did him since he tossed and turned all night, but I got enough rest to feel somewhat renewed the next morning. It wasn’t much of a shock to see that Zach was gone when I got up, and I found a note from him on the mirror.
Savannah,
I couldn’t sleep, so I headed over to the station. Have fun with Lorna, and good luck with your puzzle. See you at lunch.
Love you, babe,
Zach.
My husband wasn’t much for traditional romance. Last Valentine’s Day, he’d given me a dozen pencils tied together with a bright red ribbon. They weren’t just any writing instruments; they were my favorite kind, the only type I could use to create my puzzles. Coming from him, this note was overly