The Detective's Gambit

The white pawn sat in a pool of blood.

Detective Marina Chen crouched beside the body, careful not to disturb the scene. This was the third victim in as many weeks, and the pattern was becoming clear—and disturbing.

"Same as the others?" her partner Rodriguez asked.

"Exactly the same." Marina pointed to the chess piece with her pen. "White pawn, left at the scene. No prints, no DNA, no witnesses."

She stood, studying the victim's apartment. Everything was neat, orderly—except for one detail that made her blood run cold. On the wall above the body, written in what looked like red marker, was a message: