Page 120 of Coordinates of Death

Sebastian extended his restrained hands, cuffs clanging against the bar. “You almost killed me that night.”

Kordell bolted out of his chair and fled from the room, racing to the bathroom.

He burst into a stall and retched into the toilet, his heartbeat pounding in his ears like a drummer ready to do battle. A flash of clenched and bloody fists bull-rushed into his mind.

Could it be true? Had he really almost killed a man?

Chapter Twenty-One

Aurora stared at the door after Kordell left the room. Sebastian’s claim against him had rocked Kordell and her to the core. Could it really be true, or was this another attempt from the man across the table—one of the men who had raped her—to once again manipulate them? And now she was left alone with him. A lump formed in her throat, and she swallowed hard to rid herself of the constriction. Her lungs refused to cooperate as her breathing expelled in rapid bursts, elevating her panic. She gripped the sides of the table and studied him.

Eyes dark as coal sneered at her, unrepentant, and threw her back fifteen years to that night, paralyzed. Helpless. The night that not only stole her innocence but shattered her sense of safety.

The fluorescent lights hummed above her, screaming at her to flee and get as far away from Sebastian Roche as possible. Her palms turned clammy, and her pen slipped from her fingers.

Breathe, Rory. God’s got you. Sebastian can’t hurt you any longer. Even though he stole your innocence, you became stronger. Capable. Time to let him go.

Another word filtered through her brain.

Forgive.

Could she?

She forced herself to sit straighter and pull her shoulders back, even when every ounce of her being wanted to flee. But she wouldn’t. He couldn’t control her anymore.

“You remember, don’t you?” He smirked once more.

Strangely, Aurora clung to the truth she’d discovered all those years ago in the darkness, and she refused to let those shadows define her again. Yes, he had stolen something.

But he hadn’t destroyed her.

“I forgive you.” The three words came out softly, and she meant it, the thought surprising even herself. Did she?

Yes.

“I didn’t ask for your forgiveness.”

“That’s okay. God commands me to, and I’ve moved on. Seeing you after all these years, and now knowing it was you and Sheldon—” she tapped her temple “—you don’t live here anymore. I won’t let you.”

He recoiled in his chair as if her words of kindness had stung him like a snap of a whip.

She forgave those who defiled her, so why couldn’t she forgive Kordell—the man she had fallen for?

Aurora set aside the unspoken question and picked up her pen. “Tell me, what else do you know about the Shadow Box Killer? And don’t tell me nothing. I know you’re holding something back.”

“So your cop spidey senses are telling you that? What they should say is Don’t trust Kordell. Even your teenage crush isn’t perfect and keeps secrets.”

“What does that mean?”

“Did he tell you my dear old dad forced him to watch that night?”

Aurora blinked back the betrayal threatening to emerge, burying it deep. Focus. “Old news. Move on.”

The door opened, and Kordell lumbered into the room, shoulders drooped, head hung low. He plunked down in the chair, staring aimlessly. He was fighting what Sebastian had revealed.

If it was indeed true, would he be able to forgive himself?

Aurora returned her attention to Sebastian. She’d start with the basics. “When did you arrive in the Yukon, and where have you been staying?”