Page 114 of Coordinates of Death

She turned. “I know that, Kord.”

His eyes flicked wide, surprise intermingled with hurt displayed on his contorted face. “Sorry.” He raised his hands in a wave of acknowledgment. “Sorry for a lot of things.”

“Let’s not go there right now. I need to find Ginny.” She hated his expression but had to focus. She gingerly stepped on the outside of the first step and tested it for sturdiness. It creaked and moaned, as if the weight of the hospital’s intruder had violated the solitude of the building. But the stair held. “Appears to be okay.”

They took each step slowly, staying clear of the dangling chandelier.

After reaching the landing at the top, Aurora glanced left, then right. Which way? Use your cop’s gut. If you were SBK, where would you stow a victim? She hated going into a serial killer’s mind, but in this instance she had no choice. She spied a closed door at the end of the corridor. All the other doors were open. “This way.” Aurora veered left.

“Why?”

She motioned toward the end of the hall. “My gut is telling me Ginny is behind that closed door.”

“I trust your intuition. I’ve got your six.”

Aurora nodded and raised her weapon and crouch-walked down the chilly hallway, Kordell protecting her from the rear.

Even though he wasn’t a police officer, he, too, had good instincts.

Ensuring each of the open-door rooms were clear, they reached the one at the end of the hall.

“I’m going to ease the door open and check for any trip wires. Cover me.” Aurora unclipped her Maglite.

“Got it.” Kordell stationed himself to the right of the door, facing the hallway.

She eased the door ajar and squatted before shining her light around the opening. “It’s clear. No wires.”

“Still, be careful.”

Aurora nudged the door open, raising her gun and the light together.

The beam rested on a metal cot, her friend lying on top, tied and gagged, her face bruised and her lip swollen and bloody. Someone had beaten her.

“Ginny!” Aurora gripped her gun tighter at the thought of the beating her friend had endured. She cleared the room right and left before running to Ginny’s side.

Kordell entered, keeping his weapon trained. “Is she alive?”

Aurora stowed her gun and checked for a pulse. “Yes. Thank You, God.”

Ginny moaned, moving her head from side to side.

“Ginny, can you hear me?” Aurora gently shook her shoulders. “Wake up. We have to get you out of here.”

Ginny’s eyes popped open, wide with fear. Her gaze darted around the room like a Ping-Pong ball, then finally rested on Aurora. “Rory,” she rasped.

“Shhh . . . It’s gonna be okay. We found you.” Aurora caressed her friend’s bruised cheeks. “I’m so sorry they did this to you.”

“Cold . . . another . . . friend . . . needle . . . hurts . . . you . . . trouble.”

“Kord, she’s not making any sense. She’s probably been drugged. You treat her. I’ll call for backup.”

“Cold . . . another . . . friend . . . needle . . . hurts . . . you . . . trouble,” Ginny repeated.

Kordell stuffed his gun back at his side and removed his backpack. “What do you think she means?”

“No idea, but something isn’t right. Maybe I’m wrong and this is a copycat.” Aurora withdrew her sat phone, motioning toward Ginny’s face. “SBK never beat his victims in the face. This is new.”

“I’m not so sure. I trust your gut, Rory.”