Page 164 of Trust No One

“Yes. I’m trying to fill in her story.”

“I haven’t seen her in months. And I don’t know who killed her.”

“You two lived in the same house for a while?”

“Two years. We shared a room.”

“What was she like?”

Vivian’s gaze softened. “A lot like me. Wanted more. She wanted to be seen. To matter. To have a real family.”

“Did she talk about her family?”

“Her mother was a user. She lost custody. Got clean. Amy returned home. Her mother messed up again. It’s a typical story.”

“How did she zero in on the Hales?”

“Raine Hale was in the newspaper—the Hales were like local royalty. Amy must have seen her and decided they looked alike. Which they did. When Raine registered in Amy’s high school, Amy’s obsession took root.”

“Obsession?”

“She started saying that her real father was Michael Hale.”

“Raine’s father?”

Vivian nodded. “Claimed that Mr. Hale had promised to take care of her. Add her to the will. But his early death left her in the cold. I told her she was full of it. At first, she laughed. Then she stopped laughing. Insisted it could be real.”

“Did Amy talk about working in Hale House?”

“A couple of times. She said Mrs. Hale was out of it and mean to Raine. She felt a little sorry for Raine.”

“Did you talk to Amy after Mrs. Hale died?”

Vivian leaned in and lowered her voice. “She came to my shop before the funeral. I saw the change in her.” She leaned forward. “She gave me a picture of Raine and said she wanted to look just like her.”

“And that’s the last time you saw Amy?”

Vivian’s nails clicked against her cup. “She came in the shop last winter. She had another picture. It was of Raine. I’d thought she’d let it all go, but I guess not.”

“Did you call her out on copying Raine?”

“Why? It’s her hair. Her life. And if I said anything, she’d have ignored me. When Amy was focused, there was no changing her mind. So, I cut it and added the highlights.”

“Was she seeing anyone?”

“Amy said there were a couple of guys she liked. I can tell you, if she wanted a guy, she could spin her spell and make anyone follow her. She knew how to get what she wanted.”

I thought about the “family” picture Amy had taken with Gabe and Molly. She looked like Raine. Hair, makeup, jewelry. Someone who didn’t look twice could easily have mistaken Amy for Raine.

“She dealt drugs.”

“Yeah. Coke and pot. Small time, but enough to put money in her pocket.” A frown furrowed her brow. “I don’t want to tear down Amy now. She wasn’t that different than me. We didn’t have role models. She saw someone she wanted to be and became her.”

“Who influenced you?”

“A hairdresser. I had bleached my hair to the point of ruining it. What didn’t break off was fried. My foster mom took me to her and asked for an intervention. Cassidy was kind, and when she was finished, I was back to looking normal. I asked her if I could get a job in her salon. She agreed. I spent the next few years learning everything I could. I still work for her.”

“Ever meet Raine?”