Blessed are the Dead by Kristi Belcamino

Author:Kristi Belcamino
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2014-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

BACK INSIDE MY apartment, I plop on my couch. A skull that might be Jasmine’s? I’m not ready to face that this is how it all ends. Logically, I know the odds of finding her alive were dismal, but there was always that slight chance. I was so excited about the thrill of the chase—­about getting a scoop—­that it was easy to forget what it all meant. A skull. A little girl’s skull means she is dead. Dead like Caterina. Nobody is going to save Jasmine, either.

I turn on the TV, then turn it off. I get off the couch and start pacing. I’m itching to call someone—­Moretti or someone else who can confirm that the skull is Jasmine’s. I know I promised Donovan I would wait to hear from him. What was I thinking? Why did I do that? My relationship with him must be distorting my news judgment. I don’t know what to think about Donovan’s calling me his girlfriend.

All I know is that for the first time in my life, I’ve put a relationship above my job, and it doesn’t sit right with me. Every instinct I have is telling me to grab my keys and head for Los Gatos. I bet I could find out where Donovan and the other investigators were if I made enough calls. But then I realize I should relax. These things take time. Sometimes, it takes a few days to track down dental records. And if they have to do DNA testing, it could take weeks before the skull is identified.

But deep down, I know it’s her. I pace my apartment, then finally settle on my couch with The Art of the Chessmaster.

The book likens chess to warfare, an analogy I love. The key to mastering chess and defeating your opponent lies in being the one who makes the fewest mistakes.

“Chess involves two personalities engaged in psychological warfare.”

I can’t help but think of Johnson when I read these words. We are in full battle. I’m trying to get him to confess his crimes, and he’s trying to string me along with just enough information to keep me coming back to see him.

He’s smart, but I’m banking on being more strategic.

This chapter is about one of my favorite chess themes, the Phoenix theme.

Just like the phoenix rising from the ashes, a key piece that was sacrificed earlier in the game is resurrected when a pawn gets promoted.

“The queen’s bishop willingly puts itself in danger to gain ground on the chessboard, knowing that a pawn will soon make it across the board and be promoted to a bishop. Meanwhile, the ranks of the white player have been invaded sufficiently to lead to mate in three.”

I can’t help but think of Jasmine—­and maybe Caterina—­as pieces sacrificed in Jack Dean Johnson’s game. In their case, there is no hope of resurrection, but he must be made to pay for their sacrifice.

As I read, I try to concentrate, but I keep checking my cell phone to see if I’ve missed any calls.

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