Jordan took Avery’s elbow, and the two crossed the lawn she had raced across just over a week ago. Avery cued about small stone steps, and then they climbed.

“Do I take the tape off?” Avery asked.

Jordan pulled latex gloves from her pocket and handed a set to Avery. “Just in case.”

“Where did you get these?”

“I keep a stash in my room in case I’m called out unexpectedly.”

Jordan worked her fingers into the gloves, reached out, and skimmed her fingers over the crime scene tape, which had grown slack in the heat. She ripped it down and then reached for the front door. It was locked.

“If memory serves, there’s a window to the left and right of this door,” Jordan said.

“Yes. So? The door is locked.”

Jordan ran her hands along the side of the wall until she felt the window sash. She pushed up. It was locked. She moved left to the other side of the door and again found a window. She shoved upward and it gave way.

“We’re not breaking into a crime scene,” Avery said.

“I am,” Jordan said. “And because you’re my eyes right now, so are you.”

“This seems like a bad idea on so many levels.”

Jordan widened the window opening and folded her cane. “I can go first.”

“No, I’ll go first,” Avery grumbled. “God only knows what is left behind, and I don’t need you falling or getting hurt again.”

Jordan grinned. “Thank you.”

“Just be sure to call in all the favors owed you when we get arrested.”

“Absolutely.”

Avery’s leg scraped over the windowsill, and her body slid through the opening. She brushed her hands against her jeans and walked into the room. A switch clicked. “The lights work,” she said.

“The house was lit up when I approached it eight days ago.”

Avery advanced toward the open window, and Jordan sensed her sister’s hand reaching toward her. “Let’s do this before I return to my senses.”

Jordan took Avery’s hand, ducked, and climbed in through the window. The room smelled dusty and dank. “What’s left behind?”

“Lots of yellow tents, fingerprint powder, and discarded latex gloves.” Avery drew in a breath. “And there’s a large bloodstain on the floor.”

“Mine, I suppose.”

“Jesus, Jordan. The stain is so big.”

“Head injuries bleed a lot.” She followed Avery toward the room’s center. “Casey was lying near the kitchen. She was struggling, and her face was covered in a plastic bag.”

“She was suffocating,” Avery whispered.

As she stared into the darkness, Jordan’s mind drifted back to the house filled with so much light. She had wanted a better look. Just a look. Backup was coming. And then she’d seen Casey.

“When you found Casey, what did you see?” Avery asked.