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Settling against the seat more comfortably, she began to relax. Cole turned the corner and slowed, frowning. She glanced at him and then followed his gaze, immediately recognizing the Sulin house. The faded pieces of yellow police tape along with the abandoned look of the property made it clear this had been the scene of a crime. A dart of pain rushed through her as she gazed at the familiar surroundings. This house was part of so many of her memories.

He pulled to the curb and stopped, easing himself out of the car. “Thought I saw something. Stay here,” he said curtly.

She held onto her temper with difficulty as he strode away. She wasn’t a stranger to police procedure but Cole certainly could use some instruction on common courtesy. She opened the car door and slid out, slamming it behind her. Knowing better than to contaminate the scene, albeit an old one, she skirted the property, nostalgia creeping in before she could prevent it.

The Sulins’ daughter, Ellen, had been her best friend growing up. She had spent many nights camping in the spacious backyard with the smell of gardenias and roses that grew near the picket fence permeating the air. That and the wonderful aroma of bacon wafting from the open kitchen window when they had managed to drag themselves out of their sleeping bags after staying up until dawn.

Because Dan had been on vacation when the Sulins were murdered, she had been unable to leave. She still regretted not being able to offer her support to Ellen and her brother.

She glanced toward the woods, surprised that in spite of the height of some of the trees, she could still see the rooftop of her aunt’s house. Her parents had lived just a few doors beyond, so it had been easy for them to visit each other following a path they had made. She and her brother had spent countless summer days between the three residences.

Sighing, her gaze returned to the back of the house, saddened by the unkempt look. She moved forward to run a finger along the fragrant rose bush that hugged the fence. Paul Sulin had nurtured and cared for his lawn while his wife had grown flowers the garden club in town had envied. She reached down to pull some weeds then leaned against the fence, eying the patio, the memories bittersweet.

So many evenings, her parents and the Sulins sat on the double swing in the backyard sipping lemonade, steaks sizzling on the grill while the four children played. Her gaze moved to the tree house still standing in the big oak at the back of the property. Andy and Sam had spent long hours in that little house, gloating as they had placed a sign on the front proclaiming NO GIRLS ALLOWED.

Even after the death of their parents, the Sulins had always been there for her and her brother. When her aunt had been kept late at school, the two of them were often invited to share dinner. While Marie Sulin had been small and quiet, Ellen’s father had been just the opposite. He had been a huge man with a booming laugh and strong arms that didn’t hesitate to wrap her in a bear hug.

She suddenly felt the unexpected sting of tears. It had been so easy to keep her emotions in check when there had been distance between herself and her memories. So easy to forget Paul Sulin’s big arms around her at her parents’ funeral just holding her and letting her grieve.

Wiping a stray tear, she continued strolling along the property until she reached the stone wall that met the picket fence at the very back. She leaned against it, smiling as she recalled…

A cold chill skimmed her skin as the house in front of her began to waver, change. The sunlight disappeared and she backed against the wall, dread filling her. Something was about to be revealed to her, something that had nothing to do with the present.

It was dusk, the moon brilliant in the night sky, causing the stones to glisten. She saw him climb over the wall almost exactly where she stood, a ski mask covering his face. He glanced around the area, his gaze meeting hers almost as if he was looking at her. They were wide, the pupils dark, the expression and the gun he held in his hand sending shivers through her. His movements were quick and fluid as he moved swiftly toward the patio, taking an odd little hop as he mounted the porch stairs. He pulled something from his pocket and slid it along the back lock. Sliding the door open, he entered. Turning toward the bedroom, he moved quietly down the hallway…

She jerked, forcing the vision away, her heart pounding as she fought for control.

Cole walked around the house just at that moment and caught sight of her, furious that she had ignored his instructions. He forgot his anger as he drew closer, however. She was as still as a statue, her face almost as pale as alabaster, those striking blue eyes closed. She opened them slowly and straightened, swaying.

He strode forward and caught her, spinning her into his arms. “What’s wrong?” he demanded.

She looked up at him for a moment, her eyes unfocused. The instant she gained control, he could feel her stiffen and draw back. She moved out of his arms, putting distance between them.

“Our killer knew the house.”

His brow rose in surprise. That had come out of left field. “What?”

“I said,” she repeated impatiently, “the person who killed the Sulins knew the house.”

“And how did you surmise that?”

Her expression tightened at the tone of his voice.

“As it happens, Chief Collins, I was born with a sixth sense, a clairvoyance of sorts,” she said briskly. “I don’t particularly like knowing things I shouldn’t but oftentimes I don’t have the control to stop what is revealed to me. Your killer is male, about six foot one or two and moves like an athlete. He came through the woods and over this stone wall. When he entered the house, he knew exactly where the bedroom was even though it was dark.”

The cynical part of him wanted to discount what she had just told him but the other part, the Irish cop part, wouldn’t allow it. “We already suspect it was someone who knew the victims, Miss Ramon.”

She shook her head. “He didn’t just know them. He knew more than that.” She motioned for him to follow her toward the patio. She stopped just before the door and pointed downward, nudging the loose board on the first step with her toe. “I saw him skip this step. Mr. Sulin was always going to fix it but never did. It squeaks when you step on it. It got to be a family joke. He used to tell us his kids could never sneak in the back without him hearing.” She brushed a stray lock of hair back from her eyes, her gaze finding his, clear and direct. “Your killer instinctively avoided that step.”

He kept her gaze for a long moment, considering. He lifted his foot, putting his weight on the step. The squeak was loud and definitely noticeable.

She pointed to the third window to their right. “That was their bedroom.”

Cole turned, scanning the back of the house and then moved forward to check that the patio doors were locked. “Someone was in the house when we pulled up. I found the side door unlocked.”

“Did you see anyone?”

He shook his head. “No, but it’s obvious whoever it is, he is after something inside. This is the third time I’ve found evidence of a break-in. It’s a good bet they’re looking for something they weren’t able to find after they killed the victims.” He looked at her. “You have any idea what that was?”

The tone of his voice had her glancing at him sharply. “If that question is straightforward, then no, I don’t. However, I’m not so sure it was. I sincerely hope you aren’t hinting I had anything to do with these murders. The Sulins were good friends.” Her eyes flashed a cold blue. “I’ve given you information that I thought you might be able to use and frankly, if you don’t, I don’t give a damn.” She spun, walking toward the woods. “Don’t bother seeing me home. There’s still a path to my aunt’s house from here. Thanks for the lift.”

He watched her walk away, an unwilling grin tilting his lips. The woman had a temper that she obviously kept in check. The jeans hugged her shapely bottom as she bent to dodge a tree limb. A sharp tug of sexual interest was there before he could prevent it. Disgusted, he turned away. The last thing he needed right now was to get involved with another woman, especially an ex-wife look-alike.