Page 117 of Coordinates of Death

“This is not SBK. He’s not smart enough.” Kordell marched into Sebastian’s personal space. “Sebastian, tell us what you’re doing here. Did SBK pay you to abduct Ginny and taunt us? Make us confess our past sins?”

The lanky man with his mop of wild red curls warped his mouth into a sneer. “Wouldn’t you like to know, Kord? Nice to see you again, brother.”

Kordell shoved him against the wall, pointing his Glock in Sebastian’s face. “You. Are. Not. My. Brother. Got it?” Even after all these years, Sebastian still knew how to push Kordell’s buttons.

“Kord, back away.” Aurora tugged at his arm. “He’s not worth it.”

He let go and pivoted, whispering close to her ear. “How can you say that after what he did to you?”

Her eyes darkened, betraying her real emotions. “I can’t go there. Not here.” She returned her attention to Sebastian. “Tell us, did you kidnap Ginny? Has it been you all along? Are you SBK?” She fired question after question at him like a machine gun pummeling its victim.

He glared at her. “I ain’t saying squat.”

Kordell flexed his hands into fists, and he staggered to the right for fear of acting his anger out. A memory hammered him back fifteen years—flashes of him having the same reaction from Sebastian’s taunts. Had he punched the bully in the face?

Or worse?

Was this why his brain had suppressed the memory? Had he done something he didn’t want to remember? He squared his shoulders, determination to uncover those missing hours resurfacing. Kordell had to discover what terrible acts he’d committed during that time. It was the only way to move forward. The only way to truly get the Roche family out of his thoughts.

Not for Aurora.

For him.

“Aurora, I’d like to question him.” Kordell sheathed his weapon.

“Not here.” She addressed the constables. “Transport him to the station, but keep him secure. Don’t let him out of your sight. We need to ascertain what intel he’s holding.” She turned back to Kordell. “I need to advise Dirk about the secret room, then we’ll head back.”

Hours later, after an excruciatingly silent hike back to Aurora’s cruiser, Kordell followed her into the interrogation room. She had argued with Wheeler to let them both interrogate Sebastian since they shared a past with the suspect. He shot back that was exactly why they shouldn’t, as they couldn’t be objective. However, Hill had overruled Wheeler and allowed them to proceed, once again siding with Aurora.

And from the look on Wheeler’s reddened face, that had infuriated him.

Kordell and Aurora sat across from the smug Sebastian Roche.

Aurora moved her chair a few inches from Kordell, obviously distancing herself.

She’s still upset.

Rightly so. Give her time. Kordell bit back the words he wanted to say. Now wasn’t the time to push her. She had to process his confession first—and hopefully forgive him.

What will you do if she doesn’t?

His feelings for her had escalated rapidly, especially after their kiss. He swallowed and focused on the task at hand, waiting for Aurora to begin.

“Mr. Roche, you’re obviously aware of your legal rights since you’ve been incarcerated before.” Aurora tapped her pen on the notepad.

Kordell noted her professionalism. He guessed Wheeler was watching, and she had to remain objective, prove him wrong.

“Of course, you deserve the right to counsel,” she continued. “But do you really want to side with SBK, a serial killer? Aiding and abetting a killer would add to your sentence.” She leaned closer. “You know that, correct?”

He slumped back in his chair.

Gotcha.

Was that all it would take for him to relent and provide information to help catch SBK? Something told Kordell it wouldn’t be that easy.

“I know nothing about a serial killer. Who’s SBK?” Sebastian’s question came out like a tiny squeak of a mouse.

“You’ve never heard of the Shadow Box Killer?” Kordell refused to believe him. “It’s been all over the news, man.”