Page 119 of Coordinates of Death

“I couldn’t tell. They used some sort of voice changer.”

Aurora sighed. “Anything else?”

“Nothing.”

She gestured toward Kordell. “Now tell him what he wants to know.”

Sebastian wiggled his cuffs. “Do I really need these?”

“Yes,” Aurora yelled. “Quit stalling.”

Sebastian’s dark brown eyes shifted to Kordell’s, holding his attention. “What do you remember about that night, Kord?”

“Only that I found the secret room and was about to free the girl when I felt a pinprick. Then I woke up in my room with your father staring over me.”

A flicker of emotion passed over Sebastian’s face.

Fear? Was he afraid of his father?

Kordell harrumphed. “You were scared of Cain, weren’t you? What did he do to you and Sheldon?”

“Not him. Our mother.”

Kordell sucked in a breath.

“What do you mean?” Aurora asked.

“She was the brains of the operation. Ruled us with an iron fist, though. Sheldon and I didn’t dare cross her.” He averted his gaze. “And Dad didn’t care. Let her do it.”

Kordell and Aurora shared a glance.

Obviously, neither of them had seen that one coming. Yes, Melissa Roche was rough around the edges, but she never threatened Kordell.

“Tell us more about that night and your human trafficking ring.” Aurora scribbled on her notepad.

“Mom lured the girls in, pretending to be a model agency photographer. Said she had connections. You know. The come-and-pose-for-me-and-I’ll-make-you-a-star type of deal.” He shook his head. “No idea why they all fell for it. Anyway, she’d get them set up in her studio, then Dad would drug them. Store them in the basement before taking them to a different spot where truckers would transport them.”

Store them? This family truly had been brutal. “Did I really help them that night?”

“Pfft. No, of course not. You were a Boy Scout. Dad gave you more drugs. You know, that date rape one that makes you lose your memory.”

Aurora looked up from her notepad. “Rohypnol?”

“That’s the one. Then Sheldon and I helped transport her. Dad threatened us about not telling you the truth, Kord. He had a way of keeping us in line.”

“What happened to your mother?” Aurora asked. “I know Sheldon and Cain died in prison. What about Melissa?”

“She tried to kill a guard, then went berserk. They committed her to an institution. She got what she deserved.” His gaze shifted to Kordell. “Just because you didn’t help doesn’t mean you’re not guilty.”

Kordell stilled, prickles slithering over his arms. “What do you mean?”

“You really don’t remember what you did to me?”

“No. I told you. I woke up with your father standing over the bed.” He gripped the table’s edges. “What did I supposedly do to you?”

“I taunted you and said I was going to do things to your sweet Rory.”

Aurora hissed in a breath.