Page 123 of Coordinates of Death

Aurora stepped between Wheeler and Kordell, nudging her sergeant back. “Sir, Kordell and I do have a past. We were childhood friends. I can assure you we’re working hard to solve this case. Please believe me. I only took the pages because I wanted to read my mother’s words before anyone else.” She raised her hands, turning to face Hill. “I can explain.” Aurora told them both about the Roche family, their manipulation, and the boys raping her.

That admission shocked Kordell to the core. Obviously, she had forgiven the boys and now only wanted to prove her worth to the men in front of her. “Sirs, I can chime in here too and explain my part.” He shared how he had lived with the Roche foster family across the street from Aurora, about their human trafficking ring, and how his anonymous tip had put the family on police radar.

“Aurora, why would you both keep this from us?” Hill asked.

“Frankly, I didn’t think it was relevant until SBK made the case more personal, using our pasts and Sebastian to taunt us. I’m sorry.”

“I should demote you!” Wheeler’s angry determination boomed in the lunchroom.

Hill raised his hands. “Let’s not be hasty. Wheeler, I may not like that she withheld evidence, but the rest of her performance is exemplary, and you know it. Put your petty jealousy behind you, or I’ll cite you for insubordination!”

“Fine. Take her side.” Wheeler stomped out of the room.

“Sorry, sir. I won’t keep anything more from you. I promise.”

“You’d better not.” He tapped the pages. “I examined these. No prints. You can have them back.”

“Thank you.” Aurora bit her lip. “What about the other journal I found? Has it been processed? I feel there may be vital evidence in it, or why would SBK have it in his lair?”

“Yes, it’s done. Sign it out from the evidence room.” Hill grazed her arm. “And please continue to be careful. I don’t like how SBK keeps taunting you. You really need to reconsider staying at your place.”

“I’ll be fine. Thank you for the continuous protection. How’s Rain doing?”

“Still cracking jokes, so she’s fine. Doctors cleared her to go home. She’s off for the rest of the day.” Hill turned to Kordell. “You stay safe too.”

“Got it, sir.” Kordell loved the touching father-daughter type of relationship Aurora and Hill had. “We—”

Wheeler stumbled back into the lunchroom. “Jade is missing, and we found this pinned to her desk.” He raised a note.

One final game—the death round. Find Jade, or she dies. SBK

“How did SBK get past everyone in this station?” Hill asked.

Aurora heaved out a breath. “My guess is they did it while we focused on the fire alarm and Sebastian’s death.”

“You’re probably right, or we have a spy among us.” Hill gestured toward the door. “Wheeler, get Dirk and his team to sweep this place again for prints and bugs.”

“Yes, sir.” Wheeler left the room.

Hill squeezed Aurora’s shoulder. “Go home. It’s past your shift. Get some rest. We’ll update you if any clues come in regarding Jade.”

“Yes, sir.”

He left.

“Kord, I have a question regarding Sebastian’s earlier claim,” Aurora said. “Why would he say you almost killed him? I never saw you lose your temper, even after Sheldon and Sebastian accused you of many things back in the day.”

“While I escaped to the bathroom, I had a bit of a memory.” How could he explain what he saw? “Me flexing my bloody fists. I must have, but that’s all I remember.”

Her jaw dropped, then she quickly clamped her mouth shut.

He took her hand in his. “But even if I did, I’m a changed man, remember? Maxwell helped me through those years.”

She yanked her hand away, hurt tightening her pretty face. “Why do all the important men in my life betray me? I need to be alone.”

Aurora snatched the papers and darted from the room, leaving her strong words lingering in the air like a cheap perfume.

Kordell’s shoulders sagged, remorse overwhelming him at her harsh words. How could he convince her he was sorry?