Page 31 of Coordinates of Death

Kordell gestured to the line reaching into the hole carved in the ice. “I’m guessing that’s how we’re going to fish,” he said with air quotes on the last word.

Aurora sat on a chair. “Time to get this over with.”

He joined her. “I’ll fish, but we must be careful as we have no idea what we’re in for. Ready?”

“Not really, but let’s do it.”

Kordell steeled his shoulders, removed his thermal gloves, and cranked the pulley. The line creaked. “Whatever we caught feels heavy.” He continued turning the wheel.

In a New York minute, their fish appeared.

They sucked in a breath simultaneously.

Encased inside a cloudy block of ice, a fisted hand pressed against its frozen prison.

Tension locked Kordell’s muscles.

What kind of twisted game was the Shadow Box Killer playing?

Chapter Five

Aurora cringed and brought out her cell phone, taking multiple pictures. She hated to disturb the scene, but their next victim’s life trumped the evidence preservation. She stuffed her phone away and put her gloves on before clasping the creepy fish prize, ignoring the wave of terror crashing over her body. SBK’s game had grown sicker with each box. This time, the shadow box was made out of ice. “Kord, cut the line.”

He unhooked the fishing wire from the small hook embedded in the ice.

Aurora placed the chunk onto the cooler, inspecting it closely. Even though the hand was fisted, she only counted three fingers and a thumb. She pointed. “This is Jennifer’s hand. See? The index finger is missing.”

Kordell moved to the other side of the cooler and kneeled. “This guy is sick.”

“Tell me about it. But how does this help get us closer to his next victim?”

“You keep saying he. Do you think the serial killer is male?” Kordell leaned closer, doing an eye-level inspection.

“Most are, so I guess I just resort to referring to SBK as he.”

Kordell let out a sharp intake of breath. “Well, I’ll be. Check this out.” He pointed to the back of the hand.

Aurora inched closer. Two words appeared to be tattooed onto her skin.

Open me.

She recoiled at the obvious mutilation of the woman, remorse sagging her shoulders as anger heated her cheeks despite being in a shack on a frozen lake. “I’d like to punch this guy—or girl—right about now.” She stood. “Okay, in order to open the fist, we need to thaw the ice.” She pointed to the cooler. “I’m guessing that’s to transport our prize back to the chalet.”

“SBK thought of everything.”

Aurora motioned toward it. “Can you open it?”

He lifted the lid slowly, as if something might pop out like a jack-in-the-box.

But nothing did. However, a special message had been written with a marker on the inside of the lid.

Rory, do you like my game? It’s only just begun.

“I hate the way he keeps taunting you.” Kordell stiffened his arms at his sides.

“I’m a big girl. I can handle it.” Especially after everything I’ve endured throughout my life. She kept that thought to herself and placed the ice inside the container. “Time to get off the mountain.”

Kordell lifted the cooler. “Can you get the door?”