Page 57 of Coordinates of Death

“I need to walk and pray. I’ll be back.” He shuffled out of the room.

Caleb’s cell phone dinged, and he glanced at the screen, pushing himself upright. “Oaklynn, our car just arrived out back. We need to get to the airport.”

“Have a great trip.” Hayley hugged Oaklynn.

Aurora stood. “I’ll walk you out.” She left the room with the couple. “I appreciate your insight. Both of you.”

Oaklynn grazed her arm. “I know what you’re going through with this case. Getting inside a serial killer’s mind is tough. Please text me to pick my brain anytime. Kord has my number.”

“Thank you.” Aurora opened the back door. “So nice meeting you.”

“You too.” The couple said simultaneously as Caleb took hold of his wife’s hand and they walked outside to their waiting transportation.

They’re so cute together. Perfect fit.

If only Aurora could have a relationship like theirs one day, but Dirk had quashed any hopes of that happening. She shook off thoughts of him and hurried back to the conference room, approaching the monitor. She examined the crime scene pictures. “Dawson, why do you think SBK always places the boxes under his victim’s legs? What’s your take on that?”

“I’m not exactly sure, but I’m guessing it has some type of significance. Doesn’t seem like SBK does anything without a purpose.”

“Perhaps something from his childhood?” Maxwell asked.

“Possibly. Dirk, can you advance to the next set of pictures?” Aurora crossed her arms, waiting for him to comply.

“Please would be nice.” He mumbled a few not-so-nice words.

“Fowler, keep it professional.” Hill’s tone demanded respect.

“Fine.” Dirk hit a button, and the pictures switched to the cave walls and ground.

Aurora ran her finger over the grainy image. “Wait. I didn’t notice this before. That mark on the wall looks fresh. Could—”

The screen flickered. Once. Twice.

And then went black.

The room stilled almost as if everyone stopped breathing.

“What just happened?” Wheeler broke the silence.

“Power surge, maybe.” Dirk fiddled with his laptop.

“Don’t think so.” Dawson pointed to the lights. “The rest of the power is on. That’s—”

The dark screen crackled with static. A distorted image bled across the screen, flickering in and out.

A white skull mask.

Gruesome. Horrifying. Larger than life, filling the room with its hollow stare.

Aurora’s muscles locked and bile formed at the back of her throat. The group froze, waiting for what was about to happen.

Then the voice came. Warped. Robotic. “Hello, sweet Aurora.”

Shivers crawled over her skin like a snake. Creepy and slimy.

Beside her, Kordell shot to his feet. “Turn it off. Now!”

Dirk’s fingers flew across the keyboard. “I can’t.”