Page 140 of Coordinates of Death

“What are you waiting for, Rory?” Jade waved the gun toward the pills. “Take one.”

She placed her hands on the floor, pushing herself upright just as the alarm pierced the early-morning air. Aurora lunged at Dale, knocking into his knees, throwing him off balance. He hit the side of the concrete platform, dazed.

Kordell whipped the brick at Jade, hitting her square in the arm. She yelled out, dropping the gun. The weapon clattered to the floor and slid across the room, out of reach. Kordell charged at Jade and shoved her against the wall. “Run, Rory!”

Aurora bolted from the room, her rushed footsteps echoing down the hallway on her way to safety.

Kordell pushed Jade to the ground, his action momentarily catching her off guard. He raced from the room, following Aurora up the stairs.

At the top, she turned at his approach. “Which way? I was unconscious when they brought me here.”

He gestured to the right. “Main door is that way.” He led her down the hall.

A hole in the panel wall creaked open, and Dale skulked through, pointing the Glock. “Nice try. I said there weren’t secret passageways in your room, but there are lots throughout this grand estate. Trust me, Jade and I used them throughout our lives, tricking that woman.”

Jade stepped through the hidden door. “You’ll pay for that. Tell me who breached the property.”

“Didn’t your fancy cameras pick that up?” Kordell pictured his team, dressed in white camouflage head to toe to hide their approach. He cleared his throat, catching Aurora’s attention, and lifted his chin toward the window, then back to her.

She nodded slightly.

Kordell raised his hands in surrender, edging toward the window. He had to get Dale to move.

Dale aimed the gun, shifting to his left.

Jade followed. “Your team won’t get far. We have booby traps all over the property.”

“Don’t you think Kord’s squad knows how to detect those?” Aurora moved away from Kordell.

Good, she was now out of Hayley’s cross hairs.

Was there anyway Kordell could talk the man down without getting killed? He had to try. “Dale, give it up. You have nowhere to go. The place is surrounded.”

“I’ll take my chances. This estate holds lots of secrets.”

“Do you really want to put your sister at risk?” Aurora asked. “Jail is better than a coffin, Dale.”

Jade’s eyes narrowed, and she inched closer to her brother. “I would rather die than live in a cage again. I spent years in an institution being poked and prodded all because she told them I was sick in the head.”

“So your stepmother lied to get you admitted?” Aurora’s voice held concern.

Undoubtedly, she felt empathy toward the woman because of everything she and her mother had gone through. Kordell’s respect meter elevated for Aurora. She truly was an exceptional person.

And he had to keep her alive, even if it meant sacrificing himself.

“She lied about everything.” Jade’s voice quivered. “I’ve carried that hurt around all these years.”

“Why didn’t you say anything, Jade? You could have received counseling through the station.”

She placed her hands on her hips. “Are you kidding me? And go through the torture again of someone trying to get into my mind?” She tapped her temple. “No way.” She turned to her brother. “Take them out. I’m tired of this game. No more clues. No more coordinates.” She sneered at Kordell and Aurora. “Game over.”

Dale raised the gun.

Kordell lowered his hand and hit the button on his belt buckle.

Multiple shots pierced through the window, shattering the glass.

Jade Kramer dropped.