She was too blindsided by the disturbing directive of her beloved editor-in-chief. The one who'd unknowingly assigned Aubrey her worst nightmare – a fast-pass, all-inclusive ticket to a murdered girl's past.”
-- Narrator (chapter 2)

Importance: Aubrey has just learned that Malcolm has brokered a deal in which Aubrey and Levi work together on the lead stories about Missy Flannigan's murder. While Aubrey cannot tell Malcolm or Levi why she objects to the assignment at this point, the reader already knows that Aubrey is afraid of encountering Missy's ghost.

Between Levi's watch and whatever awaited her in that building, it was shaping up to be the kind of day where Aubrey wished she'd stayed with the carnival.”
-- Narrator (chapter 4)

Importance: Aubrey and Levi have just arrived at the morgue, and Aubrey is terrified of the connections she will make there. She has also had a brief encounter with Levi's brother, Brody, though she does not yet know his identity...