Checkmate by Elyce de Reefe

Author:Elyce de Reefe [Reefe, Elyce de]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-06-25T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Chess Problems have existed for centuries. They are artificial constructs—not truly part of the game. A ‘chess problem’ is composed, rather than taken from an actual game, with a specific goal in mind. Many players consider these problems to have an esthetic value beyond their tactical appeal. It is possible to construct a truly beautiful ‘problem.’

— From the Journals of Aster Ardennes

Jesse pulled out his phone and dialed Boaz, wondering if he’d been successful tracking Marten. It had taken Jesse most of the night, but he’d finally managed to trail his quarry to an apartment complex just south of Washington Park. If her scent hadn’t been so strong, he never would have found her again, since she’d driven from the office. He’d basically been combing the area in a grid formation with the office building in the center and feeling like the effort was completely fruitless when he’d caught a whiff of her scent on the breeze.

Once that happened, he’d been able to trace it back to where she had parked her car and gone into the building. He’d even managed to get inside and ascertain which was her apartment, but that was as far as he could go.

Now he stood just down the block, watching the front door and what he figured was her window and feeling like a peeping Tom.

“Yeah?” Boaz’s one-word answer almost made him smile.

“How’d you do trailing the happy couple?”

“No problems.”

“What? They walked?”

“Must have driven with the windows down. And— you smelled her.”

Yes, he had. “So, what’s your location? You reported to Lucas?” Jesse had reported as soon as he’d found the building. Of course.

“I did. I’m standing in front of a small, two-family near Helderberg. Sycamore Street. They’re on the second floor.”

“Went in, and never came out.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, that figures.”

There was a short pause. “And you?”

“I’m here on Robin Street. Our mystery lady went into her apartment and hasn’t poked a toe out since.”

Boaz grunted in acknowledgement.

“Okay. Well… keep in touch. Let me know if they leave.”

“You do the same, Jesse.” There was just a hint of challenge in Boaz’s tone.

“Will do. Don’t worry, Boaz. I have no intention of getting any closer to this one than I have to.”

“Good.” Boaz cut the connection.

Well, that was clear enough. And could be a problem. Jesse scratched at the stubble on his chin. What he wouldn’t give for a hot shower and a soft bed right now. But there was no way he was leaving his post. His Alpha wanted her watched. He wouldn’t let Lucas down again.

Jesse settled in against a tree up a slight hill that edged the parking lot across the street from her building. It had a clear line of sight to both her darkened window and the front door. Stretching his long legs out in front on him on the grass, he leaned his head back against the bark. It was going to be a long night.

** *

Millie dragged her eyes open to the bright light of day. A bird was chirping loudly outside her window.

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