Page 102 of Coordinates of Death

He sat, slouching deep into the comfort of the plush piece of furniture. “Okay, you have my undivided attention.”

She tapped her tablet that sat on the coffee table. “Just a sec. I’m conferencing-in Mic.”

“It’s late there. She’s asleep by now.”

“Not yet. She’s waiting too.”

That didn’t sound good.

Mic’s face appeared on the screen. “Hey, guys. Glad you’re back safe, Kord.”

Kordell folded his arms across his chest. “Okay, are you two ganging up on me?”

“Kind of.” Hayley’s playful expression morphed into a more somber one. “We wanted to talk to you about Erin.”

Kordell stiffened. Not a subject he cared to relive. “I know you’re both still mad at me, and I get it. I screwed up.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” Hayley gripped his bicep. “Kord, I have to admit I was upset with you for letting your guard down, especially when Caleb warned you about her. He sensed her deceit from the beginning. I did too.” She bit her lip. “Takes one to know one.”

What did that mean? Hayley had always been tight-lipped about her past. In truth, the entire Greene family held secrets. Secrets they’d share in their own time. “What do you mean, sis?”

She groaned, her gaze dropping to the floor. “There was a time in my life when I deceived people. What can I say? I spent the first thirteen years of my life with the master manipulator. My mother knew how to turn every situation to her benefit. Anyway, I tell you that because I no longer blame you. Erin played the game well. You can’t feel guilty for loving someone. I respect that.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it, but what made you change your mind?”

Hayley pointed to the screen. “Mic. She knows heartache and urged me to get past my anger. Life’s too short.” She turned to face Kordell head-on. “Can you forgive me?”

He tugged her into an embrace. “Of course. I love you.”

“Love you more.” She rubbed his back before retreating from his hug. She tapped her finger on his nose. “Now you need to forgive yourself.”

If only it was that simple. He smiled. “I wish I could. I—”

Mic’s sharp breath intake filtered through the tablet’s speaker, interrupting the moment.

Kordell leaned forward. “Mic, what is it?”

“I got a hit from the dark web. Remember I put up key words to search? Well, this turned up. It not only lists your hometown name of St. Birwich but says this.” She leaned into her screen, reading. “Time to make Kord and Rory pay for their wrongdoings. Thanks for your help, friend.”

Kordell sat straighter. “That’s no coincidence. Does it give an email?”

“No, only a username, Sbk08<3 . . . You’re kidding me. The last two symbols can be used as a heart emoticon. This killer is sick. Wait, I’m going to search under this username for more messages.” Mic bit her lip as she keyed on her laptop, then her eyes widened.

“What did you find?” Kordell held his breath.

“A message from a few days ago from the same user, but it only says Need help looking into a Yukon cop’s past. Reply for more details. My key words wouldn’t have caught that one. They must be referring to Aurora.”

“Were there any replies?” Kordell shifted his position.

“A few inquiries, but nothing mentioning either of your names.”

“Can you trace them?” Hayley asked.

Mic rolled her eyes. “What do you think?” She tapped a few keys. Her jaw dropped. “SBK tried to spoof the origin, but I caught him—or her. Sweetwood Falls Public Library. Kord, the last one was posted two minutes ago.”

“Wait a minute.” Hayley clasped her hands together, inching closer. “The library would be closed at this hour.”

“True, but that wouldn’t stop SBK from getting inside. Mic, send that information to Hill. Immediately. He needs to send an officer right away.” Kordell shot to his feet.