Page 65 of Coordinates of Death

Somehow Kordell guessed Aurora knew exactly what SBK was referring to.

Aurora stared at the fish in front of her, her stomach souring as a zillion questions pummeled her mind. She shoved the plate aside and raised her hand to signal the server to bring them the bill. Time for her to be alone. As much as she loved Kordell’s company, she couldn’t face him. She surmised he already guessed she wasn’t being one hundred percent truthful.

But right now, she couldn’t go there. Not with him.

Not with anyone.

She’d remain in the dark where she belonged.

Aurora yawned. “I’m exhausted and need to get a better sleep tonight.” Her weary muscles told her that was the truth. When she dove for cover at the warehouse, she had landed hard on her side but kept it to herself. She would not show weakness among her colleagues. Wheeler had already painted her that way, and she refused to do anything to confirm his assessment.

“I understand totally, but if you ever want to talk, you know I’m here.” His expression hardened. “I don’t like how he keeps taunting you. Maybe you should come and stay with the Greenes.”

“I’ll be okay. I have an excellent security system. Are you moving in with them tonight?”

“Tomorrow.”

Sally glided over to their table and plunked the bill in front of Kordell. “Hope you’re able to return soon. We’d love to have you back.” She winked over her shoulder as she wiggled away.

Unbelievable. Aurora also didn’t miss the heart Sally had drawn beside her name, obviously meant for the handsome man and not Aurora. “I’ve got this.”

He snatched the bill. “Nope. Dad does.”

“Maxwell seems so nice. I’m glad he found you, Kord. Glad you got away from Cain.” She slid off the bench and picked up her coat.

“Me too. Let me get that.” Kordell stood and took her jacket, holding it out for her.

“You’re such a gentleman, but don’t let Sally see you do it. She’ll get jealous.” Aurora threaded her arms through the sleeve holes, loving their playful banter.

“Funny.” He adjusted her collar, his fingers lingering as he bent over and kissed her cheek.

Aurora let out a small cry. “What was that for?”

“Just in case she is watching.” He chuckled and threw down cash to cover the bill before putting on his coat. “Ready.”

Thirty minutes later, Aurora slipped under her toasty plaid comforter. She had dropped Kordell off and promised to meet him at the station early the next morning. She pondered the day over and over in her head, assessing how she could have performed differently. It was a habit she liked to do daily to improve her abilities.

But she came up empty, even though it haunted her how SBK had got under their noses and fooled them so easily. She pounded on the bed. “This has to stop!”

“Rory, sleep. Rory, sleep.” Lady Grey sensed her mood and wanted to comfort her.

“Sorry, Lady. I’m okay. Go to sleep, girl.” Aurora flicked off the light and sank deeper into her comfy mattress, willing herself to shut off her active mind.

But her mind wouldn’t listen, and she thought back to SBK’s message. How did he know about her past? About the real reason her mother hit her? It was after that incident that Ross Hunt had sent his wife away. Aurora had slapped her mother after Aurora discovered her reading her personal diary, then called her names.

Names she couldn’t take back.

Names she never used again.

That was the real reason Pam Hunt had then hit her child.

Aurora would give anything to hear her mother’s sweet voice again. To tell her how much she loved her and that she didn’t mean those names. I’m sorry, Mom. It’s my fault Dad sent you away. I was young and foolish. My fault you took your own life. My—

A grinding hum drifted through her open door. Was that her printer? She stilled, waiting to determine if she was imagining the sound. The machine’s whine and rattle continued, each mechanical breath amplifying the terror tightening her chest. She turned on her lamp, threw off her covers, and climbed out of bed. Kneeling, she pulled her gun’s locked case out from beneath her bed and opened it. Aurora whipped out her Glock and proceeded out of her room, raising her gun. She hadn’t sent anything to print, which meant . . . someone was in the house. How had they bypassed her alarm? She searched right, then left, a night-light in the hallway illuminating the area. Aurora inched her way to her office’s locked door and kept her gun lifted with her right hand, punching in her code with her left. It was the one room in the house she kept locked. Too many dark secrets she didn’t want others to see.

Aurora eased the door open with her foot and flicked on the light, scanning the room.

But only the printer’s rhythmic chug of gears greeted her like a countdown, elevating the trepidation running through her veins. The machine finished and spat out one sheet of paper. It fell at her feet.