aHi,a she said, voice soft.

aHi. Find everything alright?a she asked, nodding at the slushy that Skylar held against his chest, red straw never once leaving his mouth. Julie nodded, glancing down at her nephew. She brushed the straw from his lips.

aSkylar,a she hissed, awe havenat paid for that, yet.a Remmy was amused. aIs that all for you?a aYeah. Thatall do it.a Remmy quoted her a price, and Julie immediately set about digging a couple bills from her wallet. Her heart was racing, fingers shaking slightly as she handed over the bills. She met the gentle blue eyes, and smiled, feeling somewhat better. aHow are you?a she finally asked, thinking of the last time theyad met.

Remmy smiled, somewhat shy. aIam good. And yourself?a aGood. Skylar here helped me paint this weekend,a she said, mussing the boyas hair. He glared up at her as he sucked on the straw once more.

Remmy looked down at the boy, leaning down so she rested on her forearms on the counter. aAre you a pretty good helper?a she asked. The boy nodded vigorously, not giving up his straw. Remmy chuckled, amused.

aI think he liked to paint himself and me more than the walls, though,a Julie said, garnering Remmyas attention again.

aLike nephew like aunt?a the brunette asked, a brow raised as she stood to her full height. She grinned at the slight blush on Julieas face.

aI said I was sorry about your shirt,a Julie murmured, smiling at the loud burst of laughter from Remmy-a decidedly wonderful sound.

aWell, were you able to finish the mighty project of repainting?a Remmy asked, still smirking at the twinkle in Julieas eyes.

aNot even close!a Julie exclaimed, thinking of the third bedroom, kitchen and living room. Between she and Skylar, theyad managed to get one bedroom, all three bathrooms and the hallway upstairs done.

aIf you need help, I uh a Remmyas voice trailed off, her eyes everywhere but looking at Julie. aI could help.a The silence that received made her finally look at Julie, who was smiling at her.

aDonat offer something like that unless you mean it.a aI mean it,a Remmy said softly.

Julie studied her for a moment, head slightly cocked to the side. Finally she nodded. aOkay. Iall let you help, then.a

Chapter 37.

Julie wiped her hands on the thighs of her old cut-offs before reaching for the multitude of locks she had installed on the front door. Well, on every door that could lead inside her home. She wondered if this was a good idea-she didnat even know Remmy Foster, yet she was bringing her into her home to help her paint? Yes, she was extremely grateful for what Remmy had done for her-saved her life-but she still needed to be careful.

Unfortunately, the events that had brought the two women together had made Julie beyond paranoid about any and every one who entered her life and her home. Her personal space. Thoughts had entered her brain last night, while lying in bed, knowing that Remmy was coming over today: how did Remmy really know where shead been? Was she maybe in cahoots with Sergio Venti, and no one realized it? Maybe the unseen assailant who came off as the cowboy in the whole scenario? Was Remmy trying to make her way back into Julieas life simply to finish the job Sergio couldnat?

Julie rolled her eyes at her own thoughts. Yes, any of them could be true, but she was still being ridiculous. She opened the door to find Remmy standing on the other side, just as she knew she would. The ever-present backpack was slung over one of the younger womanas shoulders, her eyes gentle and clear, yet filled with awareness.

Julie smiled. aHi.a aHello,a Remmy said, remaining on the porch, or heart pounding as she was faced with Julie again.

aAre you sure you want to subject yourself to this today?a Julie asked, giving Remmy, and herself, a chance to back out. Shead never had such a reaction to any one person in her life, and it frightened her. It was almost as though Remmy had some sort of spell over her that made Julie nearly breathless every time she saw her. It made her feel small and vulnerable, yet so filled with strength and calm at the same time. Weirdest thing.

aIam sure,a Remmy grinned, then looked past the woman who still filled the door. aBut, unless you intend to give me a roller with a majorly extended handle, I canat do much from out here.a Julie rolled her eyes at her own rudeness. aIam sorry.a She stepped aside, allowing the taller woman to pass. Looking back into the beautiful spring day, Julie took one final breath and closed and locked the door with finality.

When she turned around, she saw Remmy standing in the center of the room, backpack still in tow, waiting for instruction. aYou can put that there on the couch, if you want,a she said pointing toward the couch. Remmy did as she was asked, slipping her hands into the back pockets of her cargo pants.

Julie really looked at her for the first time, and noticed the clear, beautiful face, the eyes, which had caught her attention the very first time watched her. It wasnat just the unusually blue color of the irises, but the depth of Remmyas eyes was astonishing and somewhat disconcerting. They seemed to be the eyes of a woman who was 300 years old, and not someone in their 20s. They looked upon Julie with so much gentleness and seemingly endless understanding, they could make the blonde cry, or beg to be saved and protected from all the unknowns of the world.

Realizing she was staring, Julie looked away, though noting the slender form, a bit of flat stomach visible as Remmyas shirt rode up a tiny bit from her stance. aWell,a Julie said at length, officially breaking the curious tension in the air, and clapping her hands lightly together, aweave got a lot of work to do today. Well,a she clarified with a sheepish grin, aIave got a lot of work to do today. Youare not captive here, Remmy,a she stopped, both realizing what she had said.

Remmy walked over to her, a gentle hand on her shoulder and a lopsided grin on her lips. aIam here for the duration, Julie,a she said, voice quiet and soft as usual. aLetas gita'er done.a Julie smiled, nodding. aLetas gitaer done.a With George Michaelas Freedom 90 blasting through the speakers in the CD player that had been placed on the hall carpet, Julie and Remmy went to work painting the second spare bedroom. Not much conversation had passed between them, both fully concentrating on their task, as well as their own thoughts.

It took everything in Remmy not to stop and console Julie. Though she did her best to turn off her mind, she could still feel the slight unease radiating off the blonde. She wasnat sure the cause, but had a partially correct idea: perhaps Julie thought the entire thing was strange, that Remmy would come seek her out after months and two seasons worth of nothing. Perhaps Julie thought she was a freak, her abilities creepy from lack of understanding. Or, perhaps Julie was just unsettled by her being there. Maybe she shouldnat have offered to help. She knew what a warm, loving person Julie was, and maybe she didnat have the heart to say no in the face of Remmyas offer to help. Or maybe she needed the help, but felt uncomfortable with a complete stranger helping her. A furrow formed between dark brows as the various considerations passed through her brain.

She really wanted to cheat and send out her probe, entering Julieas mind to see what she was feeling, where her duress was coming from, but she had promised herself she would not do that; it wasnat fair to Julie, and was a complete invasion of privacy.

Julie glanced over her shoulder, feeling a strange sadness? She didnat feel like it was coming from her, but instead from Remmy, who was working diligently on the other side of the room. She studied the other woman, as she continued to run her roller on her own wall. Remmyas shoulderas seemed slightly slumped, almost dejected. It was written all over her body language.

Suddenly Julieas roller was sailing across something very smooth. She turned and looked, crying out in anger and shock when she realized she had just painted right over the window. aShit!a Remmy turned, seeing the now very yellow window, and hurried over to the blonde. Julieas roller had been dropped into their shared paint tray, and was hurriedly scrubbing away at the window, making more of a smeared mess than progress. Julie seemed upset.

aHey,a Remmy said, stopping her with a gentle touch to her hand. Julie looked at her. aCalm, grasshoppa. I think youare about to break your window.a Julie looked at Remmy, at first wanting to be annoyed with her, but then she saw the amusement in her eyes, and realized she was being ridiculous. It was glass, for crying out loud! She grinned, Remmyas own widening. aDonat paint the windows,a she muttered. Remmy nodded sagely.

aSo glad you told me. That one over there,a she pointed to the one near where shead been working, awas calling to me.a Julie burst into laughter, playfully shoving Remmy away and returning to her mess. Remmy felt like she was on top of the world as she grabbed her roller, feeling the tension flow out of Julie like water into a stream. She even allowed herself to get into the music, now Faith. How ironic, she thought.

Chapter 38.

Pamela Beecham hadnat been to Beaumont County since before shead been snatched almost three years ago. In the time shead been gone-two years, three months, fourteen days, her house had been long ago sold, as everyone thought she was long ago dead. That was fine with her, as she had no desire to return to that place, not where that bastard had set foot. After the rescue, her son had come up from Texas, where head decided to stay after graduating college-after all, he had a wife now, a local girl-and he had said head had nothing to go back home for, anyhow.

At first the reunion had been everything Pam couldave hoped for. Her and her son, Patrick cried together, clung to each other, and she was invited to go back to Austin with him and Christy. Without a second thought, she had accepted, happy to have family again. Her relationship with her son had been so spotty over the years, it had meant more to her than she could ever express to Patrick, that he cared.

After nearly six months with him and that girl head married, Pam was more than ready to set out on her own. Unfortunately even tragedy couldnat take Patrickas father out of him, so before things got bad again, Pamela had decided it was time to leave. Shead packed the car shead managed to buy in February, after working hard for a dentist down in Austin, and headed out, back home. At least there she had friends, and an old boss willing to give her job back. She missed going out with the girls-and the men-and looked forward to having a cold beer with Shelly and Ellen.

As Pam drove, she rolled her window down, allowing the wind to rush in and whip her hair every which way. She didnat mind-she was alive, after all. She had also heard that the psychic whoad saved all their butts had returned to the area, staying in Woodland. She was glad, as she really wanted a chance to talk to her and pick her brains. Pam had always been interested in the spiritual stuff-used to read books by Sylvia Browne and watch John Edward on TV. She wondered what Remmy Foster had to stay about the whole situation. Was the Venti case her first? Or was she one of those psychics who helped the cops all the time? Shead seen those on TV, too.

Pam pulled the still-hot coffee from where the cup rested between her legs, sipping and enjoying the taste. McDonaldas always did have the best coffee. She had been a coffee addict before Sergio, and that had been one of the things shead missed most while she was there. After everything that had happened, shead been forced to go to therapy by her son, which she supposed had helped, but she was still somewhat torn on how she felt about things. Shead been round that man every day, nearly, for more than two years. He had kept her fed and mostly warm, but even still, it was because of him that head had to keep her fed and somewhat warm.

She grinned, remembering how shead felt when she found out just exactly how that feisty little blonde had escaped. She couldnat believe Julie had bitten his cock. What guts! Pam, herself, had had the opportunity to do that, as she knew his penchant for blow jobs. He always waited awhile before he allowed one of the women to do that for him. She was surprised head let Julie do it after only having her a few months. He must have really thought he could trust her.

aDumb ass,a she muttered, pushing her arm out the window and allowing the wind to take it as it would, flowing up and down, up and down. She glanced in the side mirror, noting the sunglasses shead bought just on her way out of town. Her hair was cut short again, how she liked it-kept it out of her eyes. Her mother used to make her keep her hair long when she was younger. Just after she got married the first time she had chopped it, keeping it short ever since. She had lost so much weight with Sergio, which she was grateful for. Shead managed to keep it off since, too. She looked pretty good, over all. One thing she was grateful for was that her time with him had gotten her off cigarettes. Shead been trying to quit for ten years, and hadnat been able to. Though she craved one now and then, she had no desire to go back to that. Nasty habit.

She had wanted to get on the phone with Julie Wilson for the past five months and thank her for what she did, the courage it took, but stopped herself. The thought of speaking with her fellow captive made Pamas heart lurch, bringing a myriad of memories and thoughts back that she really didnat want. She had allowed her mind to let it go, to forget about it, but now it was time to start thinking about it again, and to say a simple thank you. She owed Remmy Foster one, too.

Chapter 39.

aSo, you actually knew I was in danger that first day?a Julie asked, leaning back against the arm of her couch, bare feet curled up under her. She took a long drink from her bottle of water. Remmy, who sat on the arm chair adjacent to the couch, nodded.

aYes.a Julie glanced out the window for a moment, absorbing this. aGuess I shouldave listened, huh?a she asked quietly, attempting to make a joke, but it failed miserably.

aIt wasnat your fault, Julie,a Remmy said, draining her third water bottle of the day. Theyad managed to get the second bedroom and kitchen done. The only reason theyad stopped at the living room was because all the furniture needed to be moved out of it. aI truly believe he wouldave gotten you no matter what.a She looked deeply into green eyes, making sure she had Julieas full attention. aHe was watching you.a aBut, how do you know that? Do you realize how creepy crazy that sounds? How can you sit there and tell me what this guy was doing, long before you had ever met me?a Remmy shrugged. aJust know.a She tapped the empty water bottle against her paint-stained pant leg. aOne night I had a dream. It scared the hell out of me. It was actually a few nights before I made my way toward Woodland.a She stared off into the distance, remembering. aI saw his kitchen, all the weird crap he had in there.a She met Julieas gaze again, brows drawn. aYou saw his kitchen, didnat you?a Julie nodded with a small shiver. aThe last day,a she whispered. Her stomach was in knots, going back there, but somehow, talking about it with Remmy sitting a few feet from her, made it far less scary. She almost felt like she was truly standing up to him by remembering without the accompanying fear.

aWhat was in it? I was never in the house.a Remmy grinned. aI was too busy getting shot.a Julie chuckled at the totally disarming smile tossed her way. aYeah, about that...a aIad do it again,a Remmy said quickly, cutting her off. aAny day of the week and twice on Sunday.a Julie studied her, shocked. aWhy me?a she finally asked. aWhy were you in my head? Why not Pam? Cameron? Roxie? Hell, Sergio, for that matter. Why me?a Remmy shook her head. aI donat know. I met some friends when I was in Omaha, people who understood me. Understood my ability. They explained it to me in a way that made sense. Basically, my soul is highly sensitive, almost like an antennae, trying to pick up radio signals, but those radio signals are simply the emotions of others. High emotions, deep emotions: distress, guilt, pain, whatever. It always used to be old emotions. You know, the guy who accidentally ran over his daughteras dog seven years ago, and never forgave himself for telling his kid that Rover ran away. That kind of thing. But with you,a she shook her head with a shrug. aI was picking up on you, and everything you were feeling. It was potent.a She smiled, trying to add a little levity to a situation that still bothered her. aYouave got quite the ticker, Julie.a Julieas smile was small, her hands playing with the water bottle in her hand. She had so many questions plaguing her mind, and decided that now was the time to get them all out. aI had these dreams,a she began softly, feeling shy for some reasons. aWhile I was there.a She couldnat bring herself to look at Remmy, and therefore missed the slight intake of breath from her companion. Remmy was nervous, and curious, never truly knowing if she was reaching Julie or not, with her dreams. She had hoped, prayed even, that she was able to offer some kind of comfort, and that the visions she was seeing in her own dreams wasnat simply that-a dream.

aWhat about them?a she asked at last when it seemed Julie wasnat going to continue.

Julie took a drink, more for something to do rather than because she actually wanted it. Once shead swallowed the cool liquid, she continued. aI always found myself in a field. Well, at first, anyway, and then there was a lake or stream, something like that. Not a huge body of water, but water all the same. And trees,a she said, her voice growing softer with every memory of her dream paradise. aThere was always someone with me, holding me, standing beside me, whatever. I could never see them, just knew they were there to help me, to take it all away.a She swallowed reflexively, then glanced over at her silent companion, a question in her eyes.

Remmyas voice was very soft when she spoke, filled with emotion. aI wanted to give you a safe place to hide, Julie. Wanted you to know you werenat alone.a Julieas eyes immediately filled with tears, which she tried to swallow, but they wouldnat leave. aIt was you,a she murmured. Remmy didnat have to answer.

Remmy was pulled to her feet, and her arms were filled with Julie, who once again clung to her. She held her, cupping the back of the blonde head, which rested against her shoulder.

Part 20.

Chapter 40.

Remmy stood off in the corner of the yard, a can of Dr Pepper in her hand, the two dogs at her feet, chewing on the small bones shead brought them. She glanced up, watching the gathered crowd, all talking and laughing with each other. She felt completely uncomfortable, never one for large crowds, and certainly not one for strangers. When had she gotten so shy? She remembered a time when she and Monica would walk into a bar or club, and she owned the place. But then, guess thatas easy to do when youare higher than a kite or drunk off your ass. She was neither.

Shead actually been really surprised when Matt Wilson had come to the store and had invited her to his sisteras barbecue. He said all she needed to bring was herself and a hearty appetite. So, here she sat, entertaining the dogs. That was a lie-they were entertaining her, keeping her from feeling like too much of an outcast. She glanced up periodically, eyes always finding Julie, who held a bottle of beer lazily between two fingers, listening intently to what an older, plump man was telling her. Remmy smiled in reaction to Julieas boisterous laughter.

aHey.a Remmy was startled by the voice that suddenly appeared by her side. Grace grinned down at her, a handsome man by her side. Remmy realized they had come in through the back fence, which was just behind her lawn chair.

aHey!a she said, relief at a familiar face washing through her. She stood and accepted Graceas tight hug. aWhat are you doing here?a aThought wead crash it,a Grace said, her voice dry. She grinned when Remmy rolled her eyes. aRem, this is my husband, Chris. Chris, Remmy the Wonder Girl.a aItas a pleasure to meet you, Remmy. Iave heard so much about you,a the man said, taking Remmyas hand and shaking it with a firm touch.

aYou, too, Chris. Sorry I kept Grace away so much.a Chris laughed, full and rich. He liked this girl. aNot a problem.a He headed over toward the patio, Grace lagging behind. Her eyes had turned serious.

aI need to talk to you later, Remmy,a she said, then hurried to catch up with her husband. Remmy raised her pop in salute, then sat back down in her chair. Bonnie and Clyde had taken off, wanting the new arrivalsa attention.

aThanks, guys,a she muttered, crossed an ankle over her knee. She looked around the yard, already turning a deep, healthy green. Flowers had been planted, fresh, dark soil announcing their presence. She noted the hose wrapped and hung on a hook mounted on the six foot privacy fence at the back of the yard. She also noted, with a smile, the new shed shead helped Julie put up two weeks ago. It had been a long, arduous task, but a rewarding one.

aHey, Miss Anti-Social,a Julie said, her voice soft as she walked over to Remmy, squatting down next to her. She picked up one of the bones the dogs had left, holding it up with a raised brow. Remmy grinned sheepishly. aWhy donat you come over and join us? I know a lot of people really want to talk to you.a Remmy nodded. Part of the reason she was being a'Miss Anti-Sociala. aIam just observing.a aI see. Well, would you like to chew on a hotdog or a hamburger while you a'observea?a aHotdog.a aWith?a aUh, bun?a Julie rolled her eyes, pushing to her feet. aYou can put your own condiments on it,a she growled, playfully swatting Remmy on the arm. Remmy watched her go, easily mixing with the throng of invited barbecue guests. She hadnat spent a great deal of time with Julie, really only helping her around the house-the painting and then the shed. Julie swore she wasnat just using Remmy for her muscle. In truth, Remmy didnat mind in the least.

After a few moments, Julie returned, a paper plate filled with two hotdogs, snuggled in buns balanced on her hand, her other hand carrying a bottle of ketchup and mustard. She handed the plate to Remmy and fitted the two condiment bottles into the thick grass near the legs of her chair. aOkay, what else can I get you? Another soda?a she asked, indicating the can in Remmyas hand. aChips? Fruit salad?a Remmy grinned, shaking her head at just how solicitous Julie was. aNo, thank you. You donat have to wait on me, Julie.a aI know But I want you to feel comfortable. I hate seeing you sit over here all by yourself.a Julie sat in the grass in front of Remmyas chair, legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles, leaning back on her hands.

aIam always by myself, Julie. Really, itas nothing new.a Remmy picked up first the ketchup, applying a generous amount to both hotdogs, then a wee stream of mustard.

Julie studied her, head slightly cocked to the side. aWhy are you such a loner? Just naturally your personality?a Remmy chewed on her first bite, thinking about the question before swallowing the food down with a drink of her pop. With a shrug she answered. aAlways have been. Guess it comes from moving around so much. After my cousin and I went our separate ways years back, it was just me.a She met Julieas gaze. aGuess I just got used to it.a aA rolling stone gathers no moss, Rem.a Remmy smiled, liking the shortened version of her name on Julieas lips. aHmm. And the static deer shall grow stagnant.a Julieas brows drew. aWhat?a Remmy chuckled. aNo clue. My mom used to say that when I was a kid.a aAre you close with your mom?a Julie accepted the torn half of the second hotdog Remmy offered her, chewing slowly.

aNope. I havenat seen her since I was a teenager.a Remmy swallowed the last of her lunch, washing it down with the remainder of her Dr Pepper.

aReally? Why?a Remmy was saved from answering and going into the whole story when Grace stepped up beside Julie, causing the petit blonde to have to look way up to look into the silhouette that was the dark womanas face. aHey, guys,a the detective said, squatting next to a grateful Julie. Remmy gave her a small wave, Julie smiled in greeting. Grace looked from one to the other. aYou know, I have to say, itas a wonderful sight to see the two of you together, in person.a Her smile was big and genuine.

Julie returned the smile, reaching over and taking Remmyas hand, squeezing it gently. aItas been wonderful to get to know Remmy in person, and not just in a dream.a She looked over at Remmy, and they shared a private smile, no explanation necessary.

Grace watched them, their bond apparent even to her cynical self. The connection between the two women was palpable. Seeing how Remmy was with the flesh and blood Julie, she wondered how much torture that must have been for the brunette during the most trying times of the case, thinking Julie was dead, then finally the rescue. She cleared her throat, remembering why she had interrupted in the first place. aRemmy, thereas someone here who would like to speak to you.a Pam was busy chatting with some guy who she didnat even know the name of, but thought he was pretty interesting. She still held onto the paper plate that her lunch had sat on, now only a few crumbs from the chips and a pickle she decided she hadnat wanted.

aI donat know,a the man was saying. aI think the dentistry industry has gone somewhat down hill. Hell, my dentist steps in for about three seconds to tell me that his assistant will be taking care of me, then poof!a he widened his eyes and hands for effect. aHeas gone.a Pam chuckled, hearing it all the time. aYeah, then he gets to take home six figures while we fight over squat.a Pam was interrupted by a touch on her shoulder. She turned to see Detective Cowan standing next to her, a young woman at her side. She eyed the girl, wondering who she was.

aPam, Iad like to introduce you Remmy Foster. Remmy, this is Pam Beecham.a Grace stood between both women, a hand on either shoulder.

Pam looked into the blue eyes of the beautiful young woman standing not three feet away from her. Her life-hardened eyes softened, and without a word, she took Remmy into her arms, holding her tightly for a long moment before releasing her, but she held her at armas length. A smile softened Pamas jaded features.

aHoney, this is one of the greatest introductions Iave ever had,a she said, her voice soft. aI owe you my life, and I thank you, from the bottom of my heart.a Remmy nodded, not sure what to say. She had no connection with this woman, though had a sneaking suspicion that she was one of the figures shead seen, one of the women Julie was looking at. aYouare welcome, Pamela. Iam just glad we got you out of there in one piece.a Unlike Roxie.

Remmy sat yet again alone, the barbecue winding down. She sat on the front porch of the house, a bottle of water sitting between her feet. She rested her chin on her clasped hands, lost deep in thought. She was troubled, very troubled.

aHey.a Julie sat on the stoop next to her friend, concern filling her green eyes. She had seen Grace take Remmy into the house, where theyad stayed for about an hour. When theyad come out again, Remmyas eyes were stormy, her brow knit in deep concentration. Grace and her husband had stayed for a short time, then left with a tight hug to Julie, and a shoulder squeeze for Remmy.

Remmy almost missed the soft voice next to her. She glanced over. aSorry.a She cleared her throat, trying to pull herself back into the present. aDid you need help cleaning up?a Julie smiled, bumping Remmyas shoulder lightly with her own. aNo. You do know that your sole purpose is not to help me out around here, right?a Remmy smiled, tipping her bottle of water and taking a long swallow.

aWhatas wrong, Remmy?a Julie could feel it coming from the brunette in waves. She was worried, perhaps even scared.

Remmy sat for a moment, trying to decide if she wanted to talk about it. Did she want to talk about it with Julie? Glancing over at her, she saw so much caring in her eyes, felt just how much Julie wanted to be there for her. Turning away again, she explained. aGrace has asked me to help her out with anther case.a Julie felt her heart gripped by an ice cold hand, the breath nearly knocked out of her. aDo you think you can do it?a she asked softly.

Remmy sighed heavily, shoulders slightly slumping. aI donat know. I told Grace to give me the crime scene photos and Iad see if I can connect.a aWhat happened?a Remmy shook her head. aI donat know. I asked her not to tell me.a She smiled ruefully. aDonat want any influence.a aRemmy?a Julie reached a hand out, gently brushing dark strands of hair away from Remmyas face, tucking them behind her ear. After a moment blue eyes met her own. So often when shead been around Remmy, she had seen the haunted look in them, as though Remmy just looking at her made her want to cry. Those times made Remmyas already ancient eyes seem positively ageless. aCan you do this?a she whispered.

aI donat know. I mean, I connected with you, but-a aI donat mean your abilities, Remmy. Youare so wonderfully sensitive, no doubt you can do this. But, can you do this?a Remmy sighed, leaning back on her hands, the cool cement of the porch under her palms aGuess weall find out, huh?a

Chapter 41.

Remmy sat on her bed, legs tucked under her. She opened the manila envelope Grace had dropped off to her at the store. Inside were eight by ten glossies of the crime scene Grace wanted help with. She took a deep breath, laying the six pictures out across her comforter.

The first picture was of a kitchen, dishes stacked in a strainer to dry next to the sink, a frying pan resting on the stove top, a dishtowel hung over the oven dooras handle. A glass sat on the counter, the remnants of what looked to be juice of some sort in it. A childas highchair was tucked into the corner, near the back door.