Page 124 of Coordinates of Death

Lord, show me.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Aurora carried her lavender chamomile tea to her bedroom at eleven o’clock after ensuring the constable out front was comfortable and her condo secure. She had also checked in on Ginny and discovered she was resting comfortably, but the nurse wouldn’t give her any more details since she wasn’t family. The day had zonked her energy, and she only wanted to relax. She hated the way she had stormed out of the station like a two-year-old, leaving Kordell. He didn’t betray you, like the others. Your dad. The Roche brothers. Dirk. The thoughts tumbled through her mind. She had to tell him that—tell him she forgave him for keeping Cain’s secret. That she understood.

And cared deeply for him.

So what was holding her back? Pride? Stubbornness?

Her exhausted mind failed to find an answer.

She eyed the paper and journal on the nightstand. Aurora snatched her mother’s entries and read. Years of remorse filled the pages, mostly sadness over losing Anna and Aurora. Anna to a senseless death and Aurora to her absence. Her daughter was present but not really. Her mother talked about how after Anna’s death, Aurora had distanced herself. She hated separation from the solid relationship they’d had.

A tear rolled down Aurora’s cheek. “I’m sorry, Mom. Sorry I wasn’t there for you when I should have been.” She continued to the last page and her mother’s final words.

Rory, if you’re reading this, please know I never blamed you for Anna’s death. I forgive you for slapping me that day. I deserved it after the way I treated you. Please forgive me.

Let go, sweet child. God has big plans for your life. You are strong. Stronger than I could ever be. Remember that. Be God’s light and shine!

I love you very much. See you again one day. XO

The page slipped from Aurora’s fingers as the dam broke and years of tears flooded her cheeks at her mother’s forgiveness. Forgiveness Aurora had silently waited for and never expected to receive. Thank You, God. Mom, I miss you.

Lady Grey squawked, flapping her wings as if she wanted to comfort her owner.

“I’m okay, Lady. Thank you for caring.”

The parrot tilted her head, opening her beak—her way of smiling.

“Love you too, girl.” Aurora set her mother’s pages aside, took a sip of tea, and picked up the other journal.

Entry after entry of years of abuse filled the pages, sorrow and anger screaming from the words. Aurora guessed the teenage girl had suffered emotional and physical abuse from multiple women. Her handwriting betrayed her emotional state. At times the flowery words flowed with fun entries, talks of her high-school life, boys, and friends. Other times, the writing became rigid and forced with disturbing thoughts, the cursive turning short and the imprint on the page harder. Several women’s names appeared.

Aurora sipped her tea as she read each name. She jerked upright, spilling the liquid onto the page.

The names listed were those of the women murdered at the hands of SBK.

Dawson’s idea of the serial killer being a woman popped into her head. Could this girl be the Shadow Box Killer?

Aurora thumbed through the pages, searching for the name of the author. The only identification was a strange symbol on the bottom of the back cover, with initials written inside one loop.

J.F.K.B.

She didn’t recognize the initials, but the symbol was familiar. Wait—she brought the journal closer.

It was the complete logo tattooed on the victims.

Aurora had to call Kordell. She snatched her phone just as it rang. She didn’t recognize the number, but it was an Ontario area code. “Corporal Hunt here,” she answered.

“Sorry to disturb you this late, Corporal. This is Constable Redmon from St. Birwich, Ontario. I have a couple of things to talk to you about. First, I saw your inquiry regarding your mother’s grave and wanted to advise you that constables have investigated. I’m sorry to say there was evidence of grave robbery as my team stated they didn’t find a cross pendant.”

Aurora gritted her teeth at the blatant disturbance of her mother’s resting place. “So frustrating. Any evidence of the suspect?”

“Afraid not.”

Somehow, SBK had found her mother’s grave and hired someone to do their dirty work. “Thanks for the report. What’s the second thing?”

“I know you’ve been looking into your sister’s death and thought you should know the latest development.”