Page 96 of Coordinates of Death

“Who do you think it was?” Kordell chewed on his lower lip.

“Their postures and heights reminded me of Sebastian and Sheldon. My father confronted Cain, but they denied it.” Her voice hitched. “I had no one to talk to. You had left, and my mother was gone by then. My close friends had deserted me, and I had no one.”

Kordell’s gaze dropped to the floor. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you.”

She rubbed his arm. “You had troubles of your own. That family should never have been foster parents. How they ever got approved is beyond me.”

“They were good at deception. That’s how.” His eyes shot back up to hers. “Trust me, I know. They put on a front around those they needed to, but behind closed doors in the solitude of their home . . . that was a different story.”

“Well, they got what they deserved. Imprisonment.” Should she go on and tell him the rest? Do it. Let it out. “There’s more.”

“What?”

“A month later I discovered I was pregnant.”

Kordell gasped. “I’m sorry. I never knew.”

“No one did, other than my father.”

“How did he take the news?”

The image of her father’s rampage tumbled back into her mind. “It wasn’t pretty, but he didn’t blame me, of course. After getting over the initial shock, he hugged me and said we’d get through everything. He wanted me to give the baby up for adoption, though.”

“I’m assuming you did.”

She shook her head, tears forming. “A couple of weeks later, I miscarried.”

Kordell grabbed her hand. “I realize I keep saying this, but I’m so sorry. That must have been hard.”

“It was. I’ve heard how women suffer emotionally after miscarriage, and even though my pregnancy was brought on by rape, I felt like I lost a piece of my soul. That baby was part of me. Part monster, yes, but still mine.”

“And you never told anyone this?”

“Other than Dad and a counselor, no.” She withdrew her hand. “Even though the rape wasn’t my fault, I still struggled with questions. Had I somehow brought it on myself? Flirted when I didn’t think I did? Treated the boys so poorly that they had to do that? I don’t know.”

“Rory, this was not your fault. Thank you for telling me.” He looked away. “I need to share—”

A shadow passed above them at the top of the staircase.

“Shhh.” Aurora tilted her head toward the steps. “Someone’s upstairs.” She brought out her gun and slowly rose, thanking God the cut wasn’t on her shooting arm. “We need to investigate.” She took a step but swayed.

Kordell wrapped his arm around her waist. “You’re not strong enough.”

“We do it together.”

They inched up the stairs with their weapons in ready mode, the steps creaking after every footfall. So much for being stealthy.

“Let’s check right first.” Aurora raised her gun, and together they cleared the first two rooms.

Aurora entered the next and stopped short. “It’s another library.”

This one was smaller, more elegant than the one in the basement.

A skinny bookcase stood tall against the right wall. Hidden Passageway came back into her mind. “Shall we test the books?”

“Didn’t work last time, but sure.” Kordell approached. “Let’s both start at the top and meet in the middle of each shelf.” He secured his gun.

Aurora did the same.