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"Whatever" Krystal sniffed, patting the hood of her ancient Ireat car"

"Totally," Violet assured her friend "Co useful in there"

They moved across the street to where Rafe strode confidently toward a row of unihborhood, so and repair

Violet stood still for ato decide if any of the to indicate that the girl who’d been living in one of the special Just ordinary houses on an ordinary street

Yet, without even glancing at the house nued to Antonia Cornett "There," he said, pointing out the small white house with a stucco exterior and drab brown tri out of place--anything only she ht be aware of Maybe the person responsible was nearby--a neighbor or a landlord Didn’t they say that most victims were attacked by people they knew?

She didn’t know if that was a real statistic or not, but after a oing to help her this ti the house, Violet could see the crime-scene tape, hidden beneath the , and even though it hadn’t been completely evident from the street, Violet couldn’t believe she hadn’t noticed the bright yellow strips sooner

She hesitated She was about to break the law

Unlike her, Rafe didn’t stop He ignored the warning and yanked the tape away so he could unlock the door

Violet stood at the top of the steps, glancing one last ti them, but the street was practically deserted

When she turned around again, she placed her hand against Rafe’s back, not sure if she was pushing hi him to stop before it was too late All the while, she pretended not to notice hoarertips