Page 145 of Coordinates of Death

“Correct. He can’t hurt you any longer. Jade Kramer killed him.”

Ginny flinched. “Jade? What?”

Aurora explained about the twins, only giving her enough information to satisfy her curiosity. “Did you see anyone else?”

“No, only you guys. Did you catch SBK?”

“We did, but he escaped custody. Someone else helped him. Jade is dead, and Dale has threatened to make Kord and me pay.”

Ginny grabbed Aurora’s arm. “Am I safe? Will he come after me to get to you?”

“I won’t let that happen.”

“Thanks.” Ginny yawned. “I’m so sleepy.”

“We’ll go now, but I’ll be back tomorrow.” Aurora stood. “Kord, can you get the constable and have him come here? I want him to stay outside Ginny’s door.”

Kordell straightened. “But—”

“Please.” She tilted her head, arching her eyebrows.

Kordell caught her intention. She wouldn’t let anything happen to her friend, even if it meant switching the constable assigned to protect her to Ginny. “On it.”

After ensuring Ginny’s safety, Kordell followed Aurora into her condo. Staff Sergeant Hill wasn’t happy with Aurora giving up her protective detail, but Kordell had promised him he wouldn’t leave her side. He’d stay in her guest room until Hill could assign another officer. Unfortunately, most of the constables were still scouring the estate or out on patrol. For now, Aurora’s safety was up to Kordell.

“I’m going to get Hayley to come here too. That okay?” Kordell kicked his boots off. “I’ll take the couch.”

“If you think it’s necessary. I still have my gun in my locked case.”

Kordell unzipped his coat. “I’d feel better if—”

“Rory, run! Rory, run!” Lady Grey squawked from the bedroom.

Two figures stepped out of the shadows.

Dale Driscoll and his accomplice.

The one person no one had ever suspected.

Melissa Roche—Sebastian and Sheldon’s mother.

And from her deadly, warped expression, she was obviously out for revenge.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Aurora gasped. “Melissa?”

Kordell reached for his gun.

Melissa raised her weapon and pointed it at Aurora. “Don’t even think about it, Kord, or she dies. Right now.” She cocked her head sideways and smirked. “But you’re both gonna die soon anyway.”

Dale took Kordell’s Glock from his waistline. “Give me your phones. I can’t have you calling for help, and your team isn’t anywhere in sight, Kordell. I made sure of it.”

She raised her hands. “We don’t have any. Remember, Jade abducted me late last night, and you destroyed Kord’s.”

At the mention of his sister’s name, Dale’s lip quivered seconds before his eyes shifted to Kordell and flashed venom. “I told you you’d pay for her death. Thankfully, my new friend here was close by. I had given her access to watch and listen to the conversations at the estate. When she saw the arrest, she contacted my gun-for-hire associate, and together they rescued me from the constables.”

“How do you know Melissa?” Kordell asked.