Browns questioning look speared Miles. You didnt mention that your wife had a twin.
Miles shrugged, his dark eyes still fastened to Caitlin. Thats because I didnt know anything about her until she he gestured toward her walked into my office last night.
I saw the story on the television, Caitlin explained in a broken voice. II came as soon as I did.
Where have you been the last few weeks? Brown asked.
I was hospitalized, Caitlin replied.
Ive already phoned the M.E. to request DNA, medical and dental records to verify her sisters identity, Miles said.
Caitlin flinched. Miles suspected she was lying, that she might not be Caitlin? That she might be Nora, and that Caitlin might be dead
Or maybe he was angry shed escaped the mental hospital and returned. Maybe he was worried shed figure out he had admitted her, and he feared hed get caught. But if so, why hadnt he killed her last night or driven her back to that mental ward himself? Why had he called the feds?
Good. Well need a DNA sample from you, too, Brown said, directing his attention to Caitlin.
She nodded, knowing it was the only way to prove her identity.
Were you and your twin close? Brown asked.
Caitlin glanced at Miles and saw him watching her, studying her every move. Again, scattered broken memories bombarded her. The secret language, the sisters huddled together. Then laterbitter fights.
I asked you if you were close, Agent Brown asked again, more harsh this time.
YesI loved her, Caitlin whispered, knowing that much was true. Although she sensed something had happened between them, something to drive them apart.
Do you know anyone who would want to hurt your sister? Agent Brown asked.
Caitlin bit her lip as she struggled to recall conversations between her and Nora. Any mention of a man, a lover, but she drew a blank. In her mind, she saw her and Nora as ten-year-olds. Anything more recent remained a dark empty hole. Noas far as I know sheshe didnt have any enemies.
She had onethe person who killed her, Brown said. And I intend to find out who it was.
CAITLINS GRIEF and guilt-ridden look tugged at Miless sympathy. He understood those feelings well. Hed been bombarded by them since the day shed disappeared. Remembering how weak shed been the night before, he poured her a cup of coffee, then slipped it into her hands. She sank onto the sofa and gave him a fleeting smile of gratitude. Then she dumped a packet of sweetener into the cup, and swirled it around just as Caitlin used to do.
When did you last see your sister? Brown asked.
She cradled the mug in her hands, blowing on the steamy coffee. I d-dont remember.
Brown propped one foot on the coffee table, leaned over and glared at her. What do you mean, you dont remember? I thought you said you were close.
Caitlin backed farther into the sofa cushion, her hands trembling.
She claims she has amnesia, Miles answered for her. She doesnt remember marrying me, doesnt know what happened to her sister, doesnt know what happened to her the last few weeks.
Browns eyebrow rose in question. Amnesia? Thats convenient.
Caitlin flinched. Its the truth. I remember the two of us being together as kids, but nothing later on.
Did she live here in Ravens Peak?
Caitlin massaged her temple as if trying to think. NoI dont think so.
What about you? Brown asked. Where are you from?
Ithink we grew up in Georgia, near here, in the mountains.
Her parents are dead, Miles interjected. After she disappeared, I checked into her past. According to records, the Colliers only had one child.
Brown frowned, and Caitlin gaped at him, her hands knotted. I dont understand.
Neither do I, Miles said flatly. Someone must have tampered with the files.
If you were so close to your sister, where was she living? And why didnt you report her missing? Brown asked.
I told you I dont remember. Frustration laced Caitlins ragged whisper. Like I said, Ive been in a hospital for the past few weeks.
When she showed up at my office, she was in shock, dehydrated and disoriented,
Miles explained. Hoping to earn her trust, he omitted the part about the track marks.
Brown gave him a skeptical look. Where were you in the hospital, and why?
Iit was in Savannah.
She hesitated, and Miles realized she was holding back, that her story made her sound unstable. He had to wonder if she was. Maybe Caitlin hadnt mentioned her twin because she suffered from mental problems, and shed been embarrassed.
Brown continued to drill her. How did you get from Ravens Peak to Savannah?
She squinted. I dont know. Frustration filled her voice. I realize my story sounds crazy, she said in a shaky voice. But someone locked me in a psychiatric ward. I was on this island, at a research facility. It was off the coast of Savannah.
Brown exhaled. The Coastal Island Research Park?
Yes, on Nighthawk Island.
Brown paced across the room to the window, then turned back to her. Go on.
The doctors at the hospital drugged me and kept me locked up. I escaped the night before last and hitched a ride into Savannah. She sipped her coffee, then glanced at Miles with those pale green eyes, imploring him to believe her. I went in to a diner in Savannah to warm up, and saw the news report about my sister, so I hitched a ride here.