Page 27 of Coordinates of Death

She’d do anything to warm up by the coals, but they didn’t have that luxury. “I’m afraid we’re on the clock.” Aurora briefly explained the situation, including the coordinates and possible box somewhere nearby.

Kordell held out the map and pointed. “Here’s where the coordinates lead. Is that close by?”

“Sure is.” He waggled a finger toward the east. “That way. You say there are hooligans in my woods?”

“Possibly,” Aurora said.

“Let me grab old Rudy.” He limped up the steps and returned holding his Remington in the air. “Mya, come.” He headed in an easterly direction.

“I guess that means we’re to follow,” Kordell whispered.

“Yep.” Aurora choked back a chuckle and headed after the group.

Bertie turned to them fifteen minutes later. “We’re here. Whatcha lookin’ fer?”

Aurora surveyed the scene. Clusters of trees, rock formations, and a small spring trickling down the hill. “Probably a box. How’s Mya for seeking?”

“The best.”

“Hopefully, she can find something without a scent to go on.” Aurora looked around. “The box could be anywhere.”

“If yer box is here, she’ll find it. Mya, seek, girl!” Bertie’s voice echoed throughout the region.

Mya raised her snout, sniffing the air, then pivoted and sniffed again. She barked and dashed toward a cluster of bushes.

“She’s a-trackin’.” Bertie slogged through the snow, following his dog.

Aurora and Kordell approached the hound slowly, not wanting to interrupt her scent cone. She sniffed one bush, then the next. Her tail shot in the air, and she barked before digging.

“Toldja. She’s got herself a keen sniffer.”

The group waited until Mya stopped and glanced over her shoulder, barking.

“That’s her sayin’ yer turn.”

Aurora squatted and peered into the hole Mya dug. “She’s good, Bertie. That’s a shadow box. Good girl, Mya.”

Bertie brought out a dog biscuit and chucked it. Mya caught it midair, chomping down her reward.

Aurora took off her gloves and brought out her cell phone, taking multiple shots. She turned to Kordell. “I hate to disturb the evidence, but the clock is ticking.”

“We don’t have a choice.”

“Nope.” She put her gloves back on before taking out the box.

“Oh my.” Kordell pointed.

Her name was embroidered, but this time instead of Aurora, Rory was stitched on the top.

“He’s getting more personal. Not good.” Aurora’s pulse hammered as she clicked the latch. The lid sprang open, revealing a fragmented map.

Kordell leaned closer. “Is that—”

“Yep. X marks the spot, but this X is written in blood.”

But whose?

Mya barked.