Ice ran through Jenna’s veins.It was the same pattern.First “Red is for rage” preceding Derek Sullivan’s murder, and now these words.
“Piper, what do you see?What are you feeling?”she asked urgently.
But Piper seemed trapped in the vision, her eyes staring at something beyond the walls of their childhood bedroom.“Green yarn,” she murmured.“Wrapped around and around.Like a web.A woman.She’s gone now.”
Before Jenna could press further, her phone rang in her pocket—Jake’s distinctive ringtone.She pulled it out and answered, her eyes never leaving her sister’s face.
“Jake,” she said, already knowing what he would say.
“Jenna,” his voice was grim, professional.“I’m sorry to disturb you so early, but we’ve got another one.Amanda Hartford.Found in her apartment this morning by a friend.Same MO as Sullivan.”
“Green is for envy,” Jenna said, echoing her sister’s words.
A startled pause on the other end.“Yes, exactly.How did you—”
“Piper,” Jenna said simply.“Where are you now?”
“On my way to where it happened.”
“Pick me up at my mother’s house.”
“I’ll do that.”
The call ended, and Jenna’s eyes met her sister’s.
“What does this mean?”Piper whispered.“It’s happening again, isn’t it?The darkness I’ve been running from all these years.It’s found me.”
Jenna squeezed Piper’s hand.
“You don’t need to run away from anything,” she said.“And you’re not alone in having these kinds of experiences.”
“Jenna has them too,” Mom said.
“That’s right,” Jenna said.“Mine are different from yours—not as strong, I don’t think.But they help me in my work.They help me stop murderers.They help me save lives.And you can do that too.You can help me.”
Piper’s eyes widened; she didn’t seem to know what to say.
“I’ll explain it to you, dear,” Mom said to Piper.“Your sister has to go.”
“We’ll face this thing together,” Jenna promised her sister.“Whatever this darkness is, whatever’s happening in Trentville, you’re not alone anymore.”
Jenna picked up the brooch from where it had fallen on the bedspread, turning it over in her palm.The opal caught the light, reflecting prisms of color—blue, green, a flash of red.Colors that suddenly seemed as ominous as they were beautiful, as if predicting more deaths to come.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Jenna watched as her mother gently guided Piper toward the kitchen, their steps in perfect unison as if they’d never been apart.
“Come on, sweetheart,” Mom said to Piper.“It’s your favorite, remember?Blueberry pancakes with real maple syrup.You always said my pancakes were better than the diner’s.”Her voice carried a fragile hope, as if each shared memory might anchor Piper more firmly to their family.
Piper nodded, her face pale but composed after her episode.“That sounds nice, Mom.”She glanced back at Jenna with those identical green eyes, a silent question in them.
“Jake’s coming to pick me up,” Jenna told her.“And I have to make a quick phone call first.But I’ll be back to see you as soon as I can.”
Piper looked disappointed, but she turned and followed their mom into the kitchen.Once they disappeared, Jenna stepped onto the front porch, closing the door softly behind her.She pulled out her phone and dialed Frank’s number.
“Jenna Marie,” Frank answered, “Everything all right with our girl?”
“Not really.”Jenna sank onto the porch swing, the chains creaking softly above her.“She’s had another...communication.”
