My Sister, Myself
Page 19
“I think she figured that art was hers to do with as she pleased,” he said. He added, “You look miserable. I’m calling for a nurse.”
Tess closed her eyes. What would have happened if Irene had told Madeline the truth about Tabitha? Maybe Madeline, a down-to-earth woman, would have offered to help Irene. Surely Irene could have proven paternity and sued for half of Theo Lingford’s estate if money was her only goal.
But perhaps it went deeper than that. Perhaps she liked putting something over on Madeline, perhaps she felt entitled to manipulate the world to her own ends.
“She said she didn’t shoot at me,” Tess said softly.
“That honor goes to Vince Desota. He thought you were Nelson’s girlfriend. He thought if he killed you, then Nelson would suffer, and all Vince wants is for Nelson to suffer like he has. That’s why he sent the charcoal briquettes, to taunt Nelson about the fire, trying to scare him into thinking his house was going to go up in flames next. Vince actually came forward and confessed his shooting spree. I think some time in jail will do him good.”
“Hmm…” Tess’s eyes flew open. “Oh, my gosh, my mother. Ryan, what about my mother? Did she return my calls, have you heard from her—”
Ryan looked over her bed toward the door. “Good timing,” he said to someone standing there. Looking back at Tess, he added, “She’ll bring you up to speed.”
Tess turned her head slowly, expecting to see her mother. She found herself looking at herself.
“Katie?”
Katie, red hair tamed into a ponytail, expression incredulous, limped toward the bed.
“Ryan tells me you’ve been having quite the adventure,” she said softly, her eyes full of wonder. She reached out a hand and gently gripped Tess’s hand.
“Hello,” Tess murmured, her heart swelling.
“I heard you while I was sleeping,” Katie whispered. “I heard you inside my head, urging me to wake up.”
The two sisters stared at each other, tears sliding down their identical cheeks. Finally Tess said, “I have to tell you about Dad.”
Katie shook her head. “Ryan already told me. I wish you could have known him. He was weak, but he wasn’t evil. He wouldn’t kill someone. He died trying to save Madeline Lingford.”
“I know,” Tess said.
“But I have to tell you about Mom.”
A tremor of alarm swept through Tess. A nurse bustled in with a tray. Tess focused on Katie. “Has she called?”
“No, and that stepson of hers won’t talk to me. Someone has to go to Alaska and find out what’s going on, Tess. You can’t. That leaves me.”
Tess started to argue, but as the nurse emptied a shot into her IV and drugs raced through her system, she accepted the unavoidable wisdom of Katie’s decision.
Tess couldn’t go, not now, not for a while.
Their mother was missing. It was Katie’s turn.
She looked at Ryan, who raised her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers, his eyes full of promises she knew he would keep.
Promises she wanted…and needed…him to keep. Promises she ached to return.
She wasn’t an emotional coward after all.
How about that?
And then she fell asleep.
ISBN 978-1-4592-2544-2
MY SISTER, MYSELF
Copyright © 2006 by Alice Sharpe
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* Dead Ringer
Table of Contents
Tittle Page
Dedication
About the Author
Books by Alice Sharpe
Cast of Characters
Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Copyright