Simon Says Die

her.
    â€œI F YOU’RE NOT going to have forensics look at that note, then give it to me,” Pierce said. “I’ll look into it. I want whoever is stalking Madison to stop.”
    Lieutenant Hamilton flipped the plastic baggie over on the coffee table to see the back of the note that was inside. “I want all of this to stop too. We just have different views about how to make it stop.”
    Pierce was suffering many of the same doubts as the lieutenant. But until he knew for sure what was going on, he had to play devil’s advocate, and make sure Hamilton saw all the possibilities. “What does she have to gain by faking any of this?”
    Hamilton handed the sealed baggie with the note to one of the policemen to record into evidence. “That’s a good question. Since you two seem so cozy, maybe you can help me figure that out. Tell me about her. Should I trust what she says? Has she ever lied to you?”
    Pierce started to say “no,” but he couldn’t very well do that without lying himself.
    â€œUh-huh,” Hamilton said.
    â€œShe wouldn’t lie about that note, or about seeing Damon at the yardman’s house, or about thinking it was her supposedly dead husband who shot at her in the park. There wouldn’t be any reason to lie.”
    â€œLook, you know the long hours involved with law enforcement. We’re overworked, and we never have enough time in a day to take care of what needs to be done. In spite of that, my team has responded every time Mrs. McKinley called. We’ve looked into every single complaint. But so far, other than you getting nicked in the park the other day, none of the calls have amounted to any real, verifiable threats. I can’t keep investing my department’s resources on wild-goose chases, not when I have some ‘Simon says’ nut killing people and the press hounding me every day.”
    â€œHas there been another murder, since that kid on East River Street?”
    â€œNot yet, but you and I both know there will be if I don’t stop whoever is behind this. I tapped your boss for help just this morning. He’s analyzing the ‘Simon says’ notes, and helping us profile the killer. I’ve got every business in the historic district after me to arrest someone. The tourism business has plummeted. That’s my focus right now.”
    â€œMeaning you’re dismissing Madison’s stalker. You aren’t going to take this latest note seriously.”
    Hamilton shook his head. “Exactly the opposite. I’m going to this note very seriously. I can’t afford to keep splitting my resources like this, so I’m going to throw some manpower at her supposed stalker to get this wrapped up. I’m going to figure out where the paper the note was printed on came from, where the ink came from, the type of printer that printed it, who bought the printer that printed the note, and finally, the computer that was used to compose the note. And then, I’ll arrest whoever typed it. It just so happens that I believe I’m going to find out that Mrs. McKinley typed it on her computer, printed it on her printer, and she planted it under her front door as she was leaving with you yesterday so you could find it today.”
    â€œWhy? Why would she do that?”
    â€œI don’t know. Has it occurred to you the woman needs help? Mental help?”
    Pierce shoved off the couch and paced in front of Hamilton. “You’ve totally lost perspective on this case.”
    The lieutenant shrugged. “Some might say it’s you who has lost their perspective. Alex told me that you and Mrs. McKinley used to date, that you were quite serious at one point.”
    Pierce stopped in front of him. “You have no business talking to Alex about my past.”
    â€œHe’s worried about you, and he has the same doubts about Mrs. McKinley that I do. As soon as it’s a decent hour, I’m calling a judge for a search warrant. Until then, I’ll have Officer Drayton”—he nodded at the policeman to his immediate right—“ensure Mrs. McKinley doesn’t destroy any evidence.”
    Pierce swore and headed through the archway into Madison’s home office. He stood at the window, looking out onto the street. He took a bracing breath, grimacing when his ribs protested. How had it come to this? How had everything gotten so totally screwed up? He stood looking