Page 58 of Coordinates of Death

“Mic, do your thing,” Kordell yelled.

“I’m trying.” Mic’s voice blared through the speaker. “He’s inside the system.”

The skull mask tilted as if studying the entire room. “I see you’re surrounded by so many protectors, but can they protect you from me?”

Aurora’s heartbeat thrashed in her eardrums.

Once again, the screen crackled, and the image shifted. A video feed, dark and grainy.

A woman appeared. Aurora—closing the back door. Seconds ago.

Aurora staggered backward, nearly tripping over her chair. “He’s here.”

The conference room erupted as everyone leaped to their feet, chairs scraping.

Weapons drawn.

The screen flicked to black again.

Silence.

Only the sound of Aurora’s uneven breathing filled the room, betraying the fear raging through her body.

Chapter Eleven

Kordell unholstered his weapon, positioning himself in front of Aurora as a sentinel guarding his mark. Not that she lacked the ability to protect herself, but his sense of chivalry drove him to step in for those in need. Like Maxwell Greene had done all those years ago. It was what the team did—come alongside anyone at risk. Their father had drilled that into them.

Aurora gripped her weapon in a ready position, turning to the others. “Lock the place down! No one in or out until we find SBK. We have several civilian employees in the building that we need to protect.”

“Rain, you take the east side,” Hill commanded. “Wheeler, the west.”

“What can we do?” Maxwell asked.

“Aurora and Kordell, you clear the north rooms and front entrance.” Hill turned to Maxwell. “Can your team take the rest?”

“Copy.” Maxwell spoke to his squad in his normal proficient manner. “Dawson, locate Preach. Hayley, look for sniper nests with a clear view of the windows. We don’t want to risk SBK taking shots at anyone in the building. Mic, check their systems to see how this attack happened.”

“Already on it, Maxwell.” Mic’s voice held irritation.

Why wasn’t Mic calling him Dad like she normally did? What was up with that? Kordell had rarely seen Maxwell and Mic at odds. Something must have happened in the past day or two to cause the sudden friction. Not good. He made a mental note to ask his father later when Kordell moved into the lodge the squad had rented.

Their unit and the constables scrambled to obey their directives.

“Kord, I realize you’re armed, but stick close to my side.” Aurora raised her weapon. “We need to clear the rooms at the front and check the entrance.”

“I’ve got your six. Go.” Kordell tightened his grip on his gun and followed her from room to room until they cleared each.

Aurora approached the door and dashed outside.

Kordell followed, scanning left, then right. A rush of wind chilled him to the bone, terror stabbing his chest. “Any movement?”

“Nothing.” She turned back to face him. “Do you smell that?”

He breathed in. “Citrus. What is it with that scent at your station? Is there anyone here who eats lots of oranges?”

“Not that I’m aware of, but that doesn’t mean anything. I’m not always here. Let’s get back inside and get updates from the others.”

They reentered the station, closing the door and bolting it shut.