Page 86 of Coordinates of Death

Aurora opened the trunk, and they withdrew their provisions. She fished out her sat phone. “I’ll update Wheeler.”

“Where’s Hill?”

“Had to go to Whitehorse for a meeting.” She punched in Sergeant Wheeler’s number and put the call on Speaker, waiting for him to answer.

“Wheeler here.”

“Sir, Kordell and I are about to head into the wilderness. Looks like we’re in for a good two-hour hike.” Aurora explained how the road ended, giving him their location. “I’ll keep you updated as I can.”

“I still think you should have taken others with you.”

“You know SBK’s rules. We’ve already paid for breaking them.” Aurora couldn’t unsee Constable Murphy’s zipped coroner bag as Dr. Sharpe had loaded it into his van. Remorse over the loss had plagued her dreams last night.

“Don’t mess this up, Hunt, or I will report you to Hill’s leaders, and this time, he won’t be able to save you.” He ended the call.

“The nerve of that man. I can get my dad to intervene.”

Aurora stowed the sat phone in her backpack’s front pocket. “Don’t bother. Wouldn’t do any good.”

“It would give me some satisfaction, though.” He smiled. “I hate the way he treats you. It’s wrong and unprofessional.”

Her heart fluttered at his intense gaze, his cobalt-blue eyes leaving her breathless. How could he have grown up even more handsome than he was as a teenager? She focused her efforts on adding the thermal blanket to her backpack. She refused to let him see the darkness that had crept back into her heart. Lord, take it away. I don’t want to be that person, but the shadows feel like home sometimes.

Kordell placed his hand on her arm. “You okay?”

She jerked away from his touch. “Fine. Let’s get going.” She strapped on her backpack and crammed her toque onto her head. Aurora hated the tension straining his face, but she had to distance herself from the kaleidoscope of emotions pummeling through her.

Kordell gathered his gear and gestured toward the tree line. “After you.”

“Keep your eyes peeled. Something tells me we’re being watched.”

“Wouldn’t surprise me. SBK seems to be everywhere.”

The pair dodged the fallen log and trudged through the snow, entering the forest. Aurora checked her tablet to ensure they were headed in the right direction. She pointed. “We need to veer left.”

They traveled for ten minutes without conversation. Aurora had messed up with her reaction. Way to go.

A snowshoe hare hopped across the path, leaping over bushes and scurrying farther into the brush.

“Such a cutie.” Aurora had to break the silence. Their survival in the dangerous wilderness depended on teamwork, especially with the possibility of SBK lurking nearby. “I’m sorry for my earlier reaction, Kord. Just lots going through my mind. Forgive me?”

He let out a breath, the vapor lingering in the frigid air. “Of course, my friend. I get it. Tensions are running high with SBK lurking around and diving into our pasts. It’s hard not to go back into those pits.”

“Sure is. I’m just ashamed of myself for going there, as I claim to be a Christian.”

“Rory, Christians aren’t perfect. My dad says that all the time.”

“I hate the dark thoughts that creep into my mind at times.” Did she just admit that out loud? Now he’d surely want to run the other way from her.

“You’re not the only one that’s happened to. I’ve struggled. Caleb too. He has shared the darkness he went through while he was deep in the cult that brainwashed him. Yes, it’s scary, but I think we all have some form of darkness within us. Why else would God have sent His Son to save us?”

She halted. “Wait, I thought you didn’t believe.”

“No, I said I struggle to believe.” He gestured to the scenery. “When I’m out in nature, I see God everywhere. How can you not believe?” He raised his index finger. “It’s when I see the evil and what it has done to humanity that I struggle.”

“I admit it’s hard, but I refuse to believe that God isn’t real.” She pounded on her chest. “I know He is in here. Okay, let’s keep moving.” She ducked and was about to step between two trees when Kordell yanked her back.

“Trap!”