Page 10 of Coordinates of Death

Kordell cocked his head. “No, it’s not that. I’m—”

She play-slapped him on his chest with the back of her hand. “I’m messing with you.” She entered the kitchen, opened her refrigerator, and brought out last night’s pizza box.

“I was going to say that I hoped you could heat it up. Believe me, CWS is used to takeout.” Kordell peered around the room. “Nice place you have.”

“Well, it’s not the Greene mansion I’ve seen pictures of, but it’s my oasis away from everything evil in the world.” She put four slices on a plate and stuck them in the microwave, hitting the timer for sixty seconds.

“I’m sure you’ve seen lots in your career. How long have you been an officer?” He held his hands in the air. “Sorry, a corporal.”

“Long enough to have seen way too much evil. I became a corporal just over two years ago, but I’m guessing my immediate leader is regretting that decision after SBK slipped through my fingers.”

“Doubtful. If you’re the same girl I remember as a teen, then you’re good at your job.”

The microwave beeped, interrupting the conversation.

If you only knew the half of it, Kord. Aurora ignored her internal thoughts and opened the microwave. Steam filtered out, hitting her in the face. She retreated. Man, get a grip. She was way too jumpy.

But the reappearance of the Shadow Box Killer had definitely shaken her up. She had to get it together if she was going to catch SBK and prove to her colleagues that she deserved her promotion.

First, she had to prove it to herself.

She gingerly pulled out the pizza and slid two slices onto another plate, handing them both to Kordell. “Take these into the dining room. I’ll grab some water.”

Aurora snatched two bottles from the fridge and followed Kordell into her long dining area.

He halted, and she almost bumped into him.

“What’s this?” Kordell gestured toward the whiteboard on wheels sitting to the left of the table.

“What I call my SBK murder board.” Wait. She bristled. The board faced the opposite direction from where she had left it. Or had she moved it? She must have. You’re losing it, Rory.

She directed him to the chair on the other side of the table before sitting. “Have a seat.”

He set his phone on the table and plunked down. “And you keep this murder board in your dining room to look at while you eat? You must have a stomach of steel. Some of these pictures are nasty.”

“You learn to compartmentalize when you’re a police officer. I’m sure you’ve seen lots of horrifying things in the wilderness.”

“Yes, but I don’t put them on display.”

If only he knew what images she kept locked in her office.

That board was for her eyes only.

“Let’s eat, shall we? I’ll say grace.” She didn’t wait for him to respond but bowed her head and asked God to bless their food. Then requested His help in stopping SBK. “Amen.”

“You believe in God even after everything you’ve seen in your line of work?” Kordell took a bite of pizza.

“You don’t? I thought the Greenes were believers.” Not that Aurora didn’t have doubts, but she refused to believe that God didn’t exist.

“Not all of us. I struggle to believe. Much to both Dad’s and my brother Ryker’s dismay.” His gaze traveled to the whiteboard. “Enough about my family. Tell me about this case. I read about SBK, but I’m guessing not everything was public knowledge.”

“You’re correct. Let’s finish our pizza first.” Aurora took another bite and washed it down with her water. Even though she had all the pictures in this room, she avoided staring at them while eating.

After finishing their supper, she got up and stood next to the board. She tapped on the left side. “These are the victims from two years ago. Five in total. All women.”

Kordell leaned back in his chair and folded his muscular arms, staring at the pictures. “Putting on my brother Dawson’s criminologist hat here. Has your team discovered any type of victimology?”

“Other than they’re all female? No. Do you think Dawson could help us?” She stared at the women on her board. Women whose faces haunted her dreams. “I mean, our criminologist gave us a profile two years ago, but I’d like a second opinion.”