Page 61 of Coordinates of Death

The team lead’s pleas for Dispatch to send emergency services at their location boomed in Kordell’s ear.

Kordell raced toward the fallen officer, dropping by his side. “I’m a paramedic.” His medical training kicked into gear, and he checked the male’s pulse. Steady. He examined the wound. “You’re gonna be okay. Help is on the way.” He applied pressure to stop the bleeding.

The ERU member moaned.

Pounding footfalls approached. “Kord, is he okay?” Aurora whipped off her helmet.

“He will be. GSW to the shoulder.”

“I can’t believe I fell for that trap.” Aurora threw her helmet onto the snowy ground. “This is all my fault.”

“No. It. Isn’t.” Kordell scanned the parking lot. “He’s watching, Rory. Stay alert.”

“You’re right. Sorry for my outburst. Team, keep your eyes peeled.” She picked up her helmet and wiped off the snow. “Clear the surrounding buildings.”

The team scattered in various directions, obeying Aurora’s command.

Sirens sounded in the distance.

Kordell motioned toward the drone’s pieces. “That was too close.”

Aurora repositioned the MP5’s strap across her body. “Yes. Are you okay to update the paramedics? I need to confer with ERU’s leader and secure that laptop. There might be something on it that Digital can pull from it.”

“I’m good. Be careful.”

She nodded and dashed toward the entrance.

An ambulance squealed into the parking lot, and Kordell flagged them down with his free hand. Two paramedics exited their vehicle, brought out their medic bags, and jogged to the officer.

The first one squatted. “We’ll take it from here. Nice job applying pressure.”

“I’m also a trained paramedic from Alberta. Kordell Greene.”

“Good to meet you. Olivia Rand.” She gestured to her partner. “This is Barry Leveen.”

The man grunted his greeting and set his bag down. “Please step away.”

Olivia took out a wad of gauze and hovered over where Kordell had his hand. “You can release your hold and don’t mind Mr. Grumpy Pants. Apparently, he woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning and needs more coffee.”

Barry scowled. “Shush, Rand.”

Kordell chuckled. “Been there. Done that.” He released his hand and stood. “I’ll let you get to it. Nice meeting you.” He walked away and scanned the area, searching for any signs of SBK.

He was out there. Somewhere. Watching—

And laughing.

Later that night, Aurora followed Kordell into a local vintage diner that reminded her of the Happy Days reruns her parents used to watch together before that frightful afternoon. The day that changed their family forever. While the memory of the fun times they spent in front of their television comforted her, Aurora only wanted to erase her sister’s death from her mind. However, the kidnapper had never been caught, and it haunted her daily. Father, why won’t You help me catch that person? You know what it does to me. She clenched her fists and scanned the establishment, a cop’s habit. And after today’s events, she wasn’t taking any further chances.

But only patrons and the fun sixties music blaring from the jukebox in the corner greeted her. A chipper young female wearing a pink minidress, a scarf tied around her neck, and her hair in pigtails approached them. “Welcome to Josie’s Diner. Table for two?”

“Yes.” Aurora pointed to the corner booth facing the entrance. “Can we have that one?”

“Of course. Follow me.” She selected two menus and bounced over to the table, placing them across from each other. “Sally will be with you in a jiffy.” She skipped back to the greeting desk, whistling a tune.

“Wow. I wish I had her energy right about now.” Aurora plunked onto the bench. “What a day.”

Kordell slid into his spot and picked up the menu. “Sure was, and I’m starved.”