Page 23 of Coordinates of Death

Slivers of glass littered the front of the room as a bitter wind sliced through, chilling the lodge’s occupants.

A large brick lay in the middle of the floor with a piece of paper wrapped around it.

The thought of a creepy message on the paper sent a sharp, arctic dread creeping down Kordell’s spine. Something told him the chilling wind was the least of their worries.

“What the—” Aurora put on her gloves and picked up the brick, removing the thick elastic. She unwrapped the paper.

Kordell leaned in for a better look.

You broke the rules. No cops. For that, the trooper had to pay.

Aurora let out a cry, dropped the brick, and raced out of the lodge.

“No, Rory!” Kordell hustled after her.

And halted at the scene.

Trooper Sanders’s driver’s-side door was open. Aurora stood beside it, her hand over her mouth.

“What is it?” Kordell guessed the answer but rushed to her side and peeked in the passenger window.

The trooper lay back against the seat, a knife plunged deep into his chest.

Movement from the tree line caught Kordell’s attention.

A hooded figure emerged from behind a tree, its face hidden by a monstrous, distorted pig mask. The spooky suspect slowly—and deliberately—pointed at Aurora before drawing their finger over their throat, making a slashing motion across their neck in a silent, bone-deep promise.

Their message clear: Aurora was in danger.

Kordell’s pulse pounded in his ears as his breath caught in his throat, stealing the warning he wanted to yell.

But the figure retreated into the woods.

Kordell morphed out of his momentary trancelike state. “Rory, the trees!” He unleashed the Glock concealed at the back of his waistband and tightened his grip, raising it with determination fresh on his mind.

He’d protect his childhood friend, even if it meant sacrificing himself. He wouldn’t abandon her—again.

Perfect timing.

From the look on that watcher’s face, I accomplished my goal. Scared them into believing they weren’t safe.

Even here in the U S of A.

I left work, claiming sickness, and beat the duo to the lodge.

That’s right, Watcher Greene. I have eyes and ears everywhere, not only in the Sweetwood Falls police station but here in the mountains. You can’t hide.

Neither of them is safe from me. Now that the game has begun, I can continue on with my next target. She’s waiting for me to finish my masterpiece.

I snickered as I remembered the almighty Corporal Aurora Hunt reading her mother’s Bible. Her horrified expression on the hidden camera was exactly what I had hoped for. She was scared. Good.

And the verse was appropriate.

Yes, Aurora. Your house is wicked, and you’ll pay for what you’ve done.

No one taunts the Shadow Box Killer and gets away with it.

Watch out, I’m coming for you. I have a special box in mind.