Page 128 of Coordinates of Death

“Rory, Rory,” the bird mimicked.

“I know, girl. She’s missing, but I will find her.” He opened the cage and gave Lady some pellets. “There you go.”

She squawked as if thanking him.

Kordell spied an open journal sitting on the bed. He scooped it up to put on her nightstand, but caught a couple of words on top of a list of names.

These women need to die.

He read the names and drew in a ragged breath. This wasn’t Aurora’s journal, but the killer’s. The names matched each of the victims. He carried the entries to the kitchen and set them beside the picture of the children, studying their faces.

The building behind them caught his attention as the message from the killer entered his mind. It ends where it began. The clues are right under your nose. An idea formed. He brought out his phone and texted his sister.

Mic, search the area for estates.

Three dots bounced on his screen.

Why?

He tapped out his reply.

Look at the building behind the children. It looks like an estate.

Seconds later, more dots.

You’re right. Searching now. Stay tuned.

Thanks.

Could this picture be the key not only to finding Rory but to catching the Shadow Box Killer?

Noise from the estate’s turret attic drew my attention, and I took the stairs two at a time, entering the creepy room. I hate it here, but she loves it.

Past relatives’ pictures filled the circular walls, their eyes following me as I moved farther into the room. “Why do you like the attic so much?”

“It’s where I do my best thinking.” She peered up, her square-shaped glasses slipping to the edge of her nose. “And it’s my creative spot.”

Two boxes sat on the floor in front of her. Not only did she like this room, she always crafted sitting cross-legged on the floor. How that didn’t wreck her back, I couldn’t figure out. Mine wouldn’t survive, but then again, that was Aurora’s fault. Her bullet damaged my spine.

“Sister, who are you making these for?” I pulled up a chair and sat, examining her craftwork. “Gifts for your coworkers?”

“Nope. Guess again.”

“No idea.” Little did she know I used her boxes for my victims.

Women who had shattered my little sister’s heart.

Yes, she was my twin, but I was older by two minutes, and her well-being was my responsibility.

“These are for your final two sacrifices.”

My breath caught in my throat. “What do you mean?”

She cocked her head, pushing her glasses back up her nose. “You don’t get it, do you?”

“Get what?”

“I know who you are, SBK.” She sneered. “All your kills are for me. I led you to each one. Manipulated you into killing them. They had to die.”