Chapter 23 - The First Shot
Michael tackled Father Benjamin to the ground.
The bullet shattered the iron gate exactly where the priest had been standing.
Security officers immediately spread across the property.
"Sniper!"
Neighbors screamed as everyone rushed indoors.
Detective Nolan called for tactical units.
Michael scanned the rooftops through binoculars.
Nothing.
The shooter had already relocated.
Father Benjamin remained remarkably calm.
"He always sends a warning first."
Michael looked at him.
"You've dealt with Elias before."
The priest nodded.
"For decades."
Margaret helped him stand.
"Richard never told me everything."
"He wanted to."
Father Benjamin sighed.
"But he promised someone else."
Another security officer ran toward them carrying a small object found beside the gate.
It was not a spent bullet.
It was a polished black chess piece.
A king.
Rebecca stared at it.
"What does this mean?"
Father Benjamin's expression darkened.
"Elias always leaves one."
"He believes every battle is a chess match."
Edward turned the piece over.
Carved into the base were three words.
YOUR MOVE, MARGARET.
No signature.
No fingerprints.
Nothing.
Margaret slowly closed her hand around the chess piece.
For the first time since Richard's death...
She no longer felt like a victim.
She felt like someone who had finally been invited into the game.
May you like
And she had the unsettling feeling...
That Richard had expected this exact moment all along.
