Page 93 of Coordinates of Death

“Pffft. Like you don’t know. Stop stalling. Tell me her name.”

He sat back in the chair, crossing his arms. “Erin. I fell hard and fast. But like you, I failed to read her true intent.”

“Which was?”

“She only wanted to get close to me to manipulate CWS into using our skills to find her long-lost brother,” he said, using air quotes.

“What happened?”

“We found him, but a week later, the man was dead and Erin had disappeared.”

Aurora’s mouth formed an O. “So he wasn’t her brother, and she killed him?”

“Correct. I don’t even know if Erin was her real name. The team—specifically Mic and Hayley—blamed me for allowing someone to dupe us like that.”

“But how is that your fault?”

“I should have seen through her deception. Caleb had even warned me as he sensed something was off with her.” He stood again and paced. “I still blame myself. Mic has forgiven me, but Hayley is still standoffish.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Me too. I won’t ever fall like that again.” He returned to the table, eyeing the riddle from a different angle.

And sucked in a breath.

“What? What do you see?”

“A different perspective.” He tapped on the page. “Look at the first letter of the first word on each line. The space between paragraphs shows the answer is two words.”

She bolted out of her chair. “Good catch.”

He mentally assembled the letters into a message.

HIDDEN PASSAGEWAY

“So now we find that hidden passageway.” He gestured toward the bookcase. “I’m guessing the bookcase would be too much of a cliché.”

Aurora eased out each book by its spine. “Sometimes the obvious is the answer. You start on the bottom shelf.”

“Okay, Nancy Drew.” He chuckled and squatted.

Fifteen minutes later, they met in the middle and finished.

“So much for that idea.” Kordell turned to face the doorway.

A shadow danced on the hallway walls.

He took hold of Aurora’s hand, gesturing to the entrance. “Someone’s out there.”

She let out a soft breath and squeezed his hand before unsheathing her weapon, advancing to the entrance.

“Wait.” Kordell’s urgent whisper boomed in the small room. He took out his Glock and followed her.

But the hallway was empty.

“Rory!” No time for hushed tones. He raised his weapon and charged after her. “Where are you?”

She reappeared. “Whoever it was vanished.”