Page 19 of Coordinates of Death

She had ripped Kordell’s heart out and smashed it like a child beating on their birthday piñata to get to the candy. He vowed never to be that vulnerable again.

Even after a year of searching, Erin Carson had remained untraceable, eluding both the police and Mikaela’s investigation into her disappearance. After the police released the man’s name, the team had done a deep dive into his past and discovered he was a con man who had duped seniors out of their life savings, including Georgia Carson, Erin’s grandmother. It had obviously driven Erin to do unspeakable things to find the man and take her revenge, including breaking Kordell’s heart.

Mikaela Cox, Kordell’s sister, had helped Erin, and Mic felt responsible for the woman’s crime. Kordell didn’t blame Mic. He blamed himself for not reading Erin’s true intentions.

Never again.

And now Kordell’s relationships with both of his sisters—Mic and Hayley—had tensed. They accused Kordell of letting his feelings cloud his judgment when it came to Erin. He’d allowed her to infiltrate the team. They were right.

Footsteps drew Kordell’s attention, and he whirled around, expecting to find someone in the hallway.

But it remained empty. Only the scent of citrus wafted throughout the corridor.

“Not every female you meet will be like Erin, bro.”

Kordell scanned the closest office but found no one.

“Kord, you there?”

“I am. Just thought I heard someone.” He checked the next room. Nothing. “Ever get a sense you’re being watched?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

An icy foreboding prickled across Kordell’s arms as dread coiled in the pit of his belly, warning him of things to come. And he no longer ignored his gut.

He snatched his coat from the hook and proceeded to the rear entrance. He spotted Aurora approaching a black Tahoe. She took a piece of paper off the windshield and dropped the bag she was carrying.

Her tortured expression told him that whatever was on the paper wasn’t good.

“Dawson, I have to run. Call me when you’ve read the profile.”

“Will do. Stay safe.”

Kordell ended the call and shoved his cell phone into his pocket before jogging to Aurora’s location. “What is it, Rory?”

He couldn’t help himself. The nickname kept rolling off his tongue.

“Found this waiting for us.” Aurora passed him the white piece of paper.

I see you brought a friend to play the game. Smart choice. I’m reading all about the Canadian Watchers Squad. Don’t think they’ll be able to win, though. They’re good, but I’m better. Ticktock. SBK

Kordell drew in a ragged breath. “How does SBK know who I am and that I’m part of CWS?”

Her jaw dropped. “And why place the note on Hill’s Tahoe and not mine? Only those in Wheeler’s office knew I would be driving it.”

“You need to get the paper to your forensics team to check for prints and warn Hill.” Kordell whipped around and scanned the snowy parking lot. “Do you smell that?”

The citrus scent returned.

“Smells like someone just ate an orange. Why?”

“I smelled it earlier but didn’t see anyone nearby. I just get a creepy feeling someone is watching.”

Her jaw dropped. “Me too. Earlier at the front of the building, when I was getting our bags.”

“It can’t be both of our imaginations.” He passed the paper back to her. “Take this to Evidence. Time to get to Alaska.”

After taking the note to the evidence department and doing a sweep of Hill’s vehicle to ensure no one was listening or tracking the Tahoe, Aurora drove into the parking lot of Elimac Mountain Ski Resort near Faircord Junction, Alaska, five hours later. It would be where they’d set up camp while they attempted to find whatever clue SBK had hidden and, hopefully, not a body. Somehow, Kordell doubted it would be that easy.