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"A twin. Identical twin."
Ski sat bolt upright in his desk chair.
Through the phone, Dodge's breathing sounded like he'd been heaving hay bales. He was gasping each breath, but he made himself heard. "I went to that place where his mother is at. Nurse there told me Mrs. Starks had twin sons. Bookends."
"Fuck!"
"Tell me. The guy we pulled outta that swamp is Oren's twin brother, Carl. I'd stake my balls on it."
"Shit!"
"Something was hinky. I knew it, just didn't know what."
"We thought it was off. The Oren that Berry described didn't fit with somebody who'd hide in the Thicket."
"Makes sense now. It wasn't Oren."
"But he was the mastermind."
"That's what I think."
"Which means--"
"He'll come after Berry."
"I'm on it." Ski rounded his desk. "Where are you?"
"Blasting through Houston. I'll be there quick as I can."
Ski didn't waste time thanking him. He disconnected and began shouting the names of other deputies who were in the squad room. Simultaneously he punched in the telephone number of the lake house. Caroline answered.
"Caroline, Ski. Where's Berry?"
"Uh ... you woke me up. I--"
"You need to find her."
"She mentioned earlier she might go for a swim."
"If she's out, get her in. Stay inside the house and set the alarm. Keep the pistol on hand." He covered the mouthpiece and said to the men who'd assembled around him, "Stand by. New development in the Starks case." Then he addressed Caroline, who, fully awake now, was demanding to know what was going on.
"Oren Starks is alive."
"What?"
"The man who died was his identical twin."
"What!"
"Dodge went to Houston, to the facility where his mother is a resident. He talked to a nurse and she told him. That's all I know."
"Where's Dodge?"
"Racing back. Alert Berry. Okay?"
"Of course, yes."
"And, Caroline?"
