I knew the image in front of me too well. Except it belonged on a canvas, not in real life. At first glance, the woman looked like she could pass for Shay. Dark brown hair, petite frame. But her eyes were too clouded over with death to tell if they had been hazel. Some sort of vine wrapped around her body, the same way I had painted Shay in the greenhouse. But the vine around this woman’s neck wasn’t a sign of vitality. It was how she’d been killed.

Her neck was mottled with deep bruises that stood out in contrast to her pale skin. I had no idea if the woman had been fair in life as Shay was, or if death had taken her natural hue. But beneath her pallor were a number of stab wounds. I fought the bile that crept up my throat and turned back to Shay.

She was staring towards the end of the dock, but her focus seemed hazy as if she were looking but not really seeing. I stepped between her and the body, crouching low. “Come on. We need to get out of here.”

Shay nodded woodenly as I guided her away from the body. She trembled as she moved, and anger flooded my bloodstream. Shay was one of the strongest people I knew. A normal person would’ve collapsed under the weight of what she’d been through. But Shay had always stood strong amidst whatever storm came her way. To see her shaking now broke something in me, releasing a potent mixture of rage and concern.

As quickly as possible, I guided Shay up the steps and towards the studio. Once we were inside, I locked the door and set the alarm, then guided her towards the couch that had been delivered just days ago. I wrapped a blanket around her shoulders as if that could ward off all the memories I knew were likely flashing through her mind.

She sat frozen on the leather cushion, her gaze still with that hazy quality to it. I pulled out my cell phone and hit Parker’s contact. It rang twice before he answered. “Raines.”

“Parker, it’s Brody. I’ve got a dead body on the end of my dock.”

Parker let out a litany of curses. “I’m on my way. A team will be just behind me. Are you safe?”

“We’re in the studio, locked up tight. But I didn’t see anyone.”

“Okay. You stay right there until I come get you.”

“Understood.” For the first time in my life, I wished I’d had training with a firearm. Maybe it was time to look into that. I was sure there must be a range on Shelter where I could learn the basics.

I crossed back to the couch, slipping my phone into my pocket. I eased down next to Shay. “Parker’s on his way.”