Page 88 of Coordinates of Death

“We can’t. SBK led us here, and Candace is probably inside.” She checked her smartwatch. “It’s late afternoon. Let’s go.”

Aurora marshaled her strength and courage, questions tumbling into her mind as she made her way toward the creepy mansion. Was the familiarity a coincidence, or had SBK somehow found out about it? Aurora guessed the latter.

SBK was toying with them.

Kordell now understood Aurora’s reaction to the mansion SBK had chosen for his game. He knew its significance. This house almost mirrored the one where Aurora was raped—and Cain had forced Kordell to watch. How much of their pasts did the Shadow Box Killer know? The article that arrived on his doorstep came to mind. If SBK had found out about Sebastian, what were the chances he had also contacted him? But Kordell couldn’t ask Aurora that question or she’d realize he knew about the rape, and she had never told him about that day.

And he couldn’t tell her—without risking their friendship.

So for now, he’d bury that secret deep.

He followed her up the snow-covered steps.

Aurora tried the door. “Locked. Look around. If he led us here, there’s a way inside.” She brushed snow from the gargoyle. “Wait, these are new and don’t match the dilapidated house. SBK is attempting to make this place identical. But why?”

“He’s messing with us. Is there a key under it? I’ll check the other.” Kordell lifted the statue on the right, but no key lay hidden. “Nothing.”

“None here either.”

Kordell inched his way across the veranda, being careful not to fall through. Tracks on the right caught his eye. “Wait, something’s there.” He retreated down the steps.

Aurora followed. “What do you see?”

“Odd tracks.” He pointed.

They trampled through the snow.

“Looks like two sets of footprints.” Kordell kneeled in front of the oddly shaped prints. “They’re fresh.” He stood quickly. “SBK is nearby.”

Aurora studied them. “Look, this set is only one foot—specifically the left. Our last victim’s foot, to be precise.” She gestured to the side of the house. “They lead around back. Stay alert.”

Aurora unleashed her weapon, and they followed the tracks to the backyard.

Kordell surveyed the area, but nothing suspicious stood out. Except for the one-footed tracks leading to a birdhouse.

And the discarded foot sitting in front.

“Do you have any evidence bags?” He pointed. “Looks like SBK left the foot behind.”

They approached, and Aurora stowed her gun before extracting her cell phone. “I’ll let forensics and the coroner know this is here.” She snapped a photo and tapped on her phone. “There has to be a key or something in the birdhouse.”

Kordell opened the tiny door and reached inside. “Yep.” He withdrew an antique-style key. “Let’s get inside.”

They approached the front door.

Kordell inserted the key into the lock and turned. The door clicked open. “Let me go first.” He pocketed the key and unholstered his weapon, pointing the Glock downward in a ready position.

Aurora mimicked his movement.

They edged their way inside.

A musty dampness chilled him to the bone.

Creak!

They pivoted too late. The door slammed shut, followed by a scraping sound.

Kordell raced to the door and pushed, but it didn’t budge. They were locked inside.