A Deadly Row

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 gushy, and I folded it carefully and put it somewhere safe. If he had any idea that I cherished every note he’d written me over the years, he would have been surprised. He wasn’t all that sentimental, but that was fine. I was sappy enough for both of us.

I glanced at the clock, and I saw that I had half an hour before it was time to meet Lorna for breakfast. I could start a puzzle, but I knew if I did that, I’d never make it downstairs. In my own way, I was as bad as Zach when I was focusing on something.

“LORNA, I’M OVER HERE,” I SAID AS I ROSE FROM MY SEAT. I’d taken a table by the window while I was waiting so I could watch people as they scurried about their business. It amazed me how energetic they all seemed, but I couldn’t imagine any job or errand worth their harried efforts. I loved being a puzzle creator, and not just because of the intellectual challenge each puzzle presented me with. There was a great deal to be said for any job that allowed me to work in my pajamas.

“Sorry I’m late,” she said as she joined me. “I got tied up in traffic. Sometimes I think you and Zach have the right idea. Maybe we should all move to the country and be done with the rat race.”

“Don’t kid yourself. We have problems there, too; they’re just different than the ones you have here.”

After we ordered, she said, “I can’t imagine what rural crime must look like. Certainly it can’t be as exciting as Zach’s job was here.”

“He’s retired,” I said.

“But I heard through the grapevine that he’s working for the police again.”

“Where did you hear that?” I asked her.

“Oh, please; you should know better than anyone that the city’s not that big. I was at a party last night, and I overheard someone say that Davis was in over his head, and he had to call your husband in to help with a case.”

I knew Zach wouldn’t be happy that his presence in Charlotte had already been noticed, but there was no way to lock that particular barn door once the horse had escaped.

“Did you hear what case he was supposed to be working on?”

Lorna grinned. “I was hoping you could tell me.”

“I can’t talk about Zach’s work; I’m sorry.”

After they delivered our breakfasts, she asked coyly, “How about a little hint?”

I suddenly remembered that Lorna’s name was on the police interview list. Would I really be breaking any