Page 55 of Coordinates of Death

“What are you looking for?” Dirk asked.

“I’ve read them all but want to study them back at the house. I do my best thinking in total silence.” He raised his hands. “No offense, of course.”

“None taken,” Aurora said. “We’ll take any new ideas.”

Caleb clasped his hands together. “Sir, can you tell me how your community is doing with this latest murder?”

“We’ve tried to keep as much out of the press as we can, but the rumor mill has started.” Hill leaned forward. “What do you suggest?”

“I know with the copycat killings in Ontario, we held a town hall meeting to address issues and questions. To help ease everyone’s minds.” Caleb spoke to Maxwell. “What do you think?”

“I agree. I can contact the mayor to set it up.” He turned to Hill. “Unless you’d rather do it. I’ve already been in touch with her before we flew here, as we didn’t want to come without her approval.”

“How about we call her together? Show our united front.”

“That’s a great idea,” Aurora said. “I’ll contact Ginny to help get the word out. I trust her to do a good job of portraying accurate information. Maybe by the time we set it up, we’ll have more details on SBK.”

Dirk banged his hand on the table. “Aurora, we still don’t know that this is SBK or a copycat.”

“My gut says it is, Dirk.” Aurora’s tone told the room she wasn’t backing down.

Oaklynn stood and moved to the boards, studying both. “So SBK’s first victim was left in Alaska, then back in the Yukon.” She tapped on the picture of the hand in the ice block. “This took you to the same region in Alaska. Could your killer live on the border?”

Way to diffuse the tension, Oaklynn.

Aurora joined her at the board. “Possibly. Kordell saw someone dressed in a pig mask watching from the tree line at Trooper Sanders’s crime scene. I also sensed someone watching at different times on the mountain.”

“Me too,” Kordell added. “The drop sites seemed to be in different spots, though. No pattern.” He turned to Dawson. “Do you feel this is SBK?”

“After reviewing the previous five cases and the latest ones, there are too many similarities that your team left out of the press to be a copycat.” He faced Dirk. “Why don’t you think it’s SBK?”

“Because he’s dead.” He pointed to Aurora. “She shot him. Plus, he keeps changing things. The first five kills were the same. No deviations.”

“Serial killers do evolve at times.” Oaklynn sat back down beside Caleb. “My father did. In subtle ways. I’m guessing that something happened in SBK’s life that has escalated things. Maybe he was recuperating somewhere for two years. Where did you shoot him, Aurora?”

“In the back. I checked all hospitals, and there was no sign of him.” Aurora positioned herself in front of the window.

“Aurora, please move away from the window,” Hayley said. “SBK has targeted you, and you could be in a sniper’s cross hairs.”

“Good point. I should know better.” She retreated to the murder boards. “Okay, any more thoughts? Next steps?”

Silence filled the room.

“If there’s nothing more, this meeting is adjourned.” Hill rose. “Maxwell, let’s go chat with Mayor Daniel to ensure she’s okay with a town hall meeting. Hunt, you contact your reporter friend and then maybe touch base with Dr. Sharpe. The rest of my team, time to get out on patrol.”

The door burst open, and Henry entered, holding a box in his gloved hands. “This arrived at the station. It’s addressed to Aurora.” He placed it in front of her.

Dirk stood. “Wait. We need to check it for prints.”

“Nadine already did. We also examined it for explosives. It’s clean.”

“Who delivered it?” Wheeler asked.

“Not sure. I heard the buzzer, and when I went to the door, no one was around. I even walked out to the road, but it was like whoever had left it disappeared.” Henry made a poof motion with his fingers as if something was vanishing.

“How long ago?” Aurora turned the box toward herself.

“Fifteen minutes. We had to ensure it was clean before bringing it to you. Okay, I’ve gotta get back to my equipment.” He left the room.