Page 2 of Coordinates of Death

Two years ago, that simple distraction had thrown her off track, and she had failed to act quicker after glimpsing a man watching their unit closely, acting suspiciously by loitering around the crowd like he was trying to get closer to the scene. By the time she realized his intent, it was too late.

Aurora guessed the Shadow Box Killer had returned to the crime scene and watched the police as they performed their investigation.

Serial killers did that as if their narcissistic nature required the adrenaline rush from being so close to police.

Taunting them.

Baiting police to catch them.

But the serial killer terrorizing Sweetwood Falls and the surrounding area had slipped through Aurora’s fingers.

Then disappeared for two years, leaving the case unresolved. After no further clues had surfaced, they deemed it a cold case. Her leader had accused her of being too distracted at the crime scene, implying she should have caught SBK. Aurora had butted heads with her sergeant, Tim Wheeler, ever since she was assigned the post in the Yukon years ago over his niece. Even though his niece had since trained hard to switch her skills to become a forensic investigator at her uncle’s station, Wheeler still hated Aurora for it. Something he rubbed in her face constantly, and when she’d had the perfect opportunity to catch SBK and failed, he’d picked everything she did apart. He had questioned Aurora’s every move during the investigation of SBK. Even if she wasn’t the only officer at the scene that day, he still blamed her for letting a killer go free.

Five women had lost their lives to a madman.

And those families had never had closure.

Neither had Aurora. Her colleagues all believed the killer was dead or imprisoned for another crime.

Something told her that wasn’t the case.

Whistling sounded in the distance, and Aurora blanched.

She’d recognize that whistle anywhere. It came from Wheeler’s niece, who also called Aurora out on everything. Like uncle, like niece.

Seconds later, forensic investigator Nadine Black trudged through the snow toward the group.

Aurora returned her gaze to the crime scene, rolled her shoulders, and forced determination into her body. You’ve got this. Jennifer’s family is depending on you.

She approached Nadine. “Morning.”

Nadine adjusted her forensic kit. “Hunt, what do you have for me?”

Right to business. Aurora had tried multiple times to win over Nadine, but whatever lies her uncle had fed her passed on to his niece. Keep it professional. “We have—”

“Well, now, that’s an interesting twist.” Dr. Sharpe’s quirky statement interrupted her.

Aurora pivoted. “What is it?”

He tugged at an object under the victim’s legs. “There’s something here.”

The group moved closer.

Dr. Sharpe hauled out a transparent plastic bag protecting the contents inside but clearly exposing the object.

Aurora stopped short. The handmade box stole her breath, and she doubled over, gasping for air. No, not again.

The Shadow Box Killer was back.

“Hunt, get a grip.” Black put on her latex gloves. “I know what you’re thinking. You don’t know that it’s him. Don’t jump to conclusions.”

“Who are you talking about?” Rain asked.

Aurora ignored the younger female constable and straightened to her five-foot-five frame, irritation cementing her muscles. “How can you say that? This was his signature.”

Black’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not how Dirk saw it, and he’s the best at what he does.”

Aurora’s ex had doubted her suspicions two years ago that SBK was still alive, proving he didn’t trust in her abilities.