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Syl delicately took a champagne flute from the tower and helped herself to a sip. She looked at me intently. I knew what she still wanted from me. Oh, how Iwantedto be more than her friend. I wanted to be hersister. I wanted to do the right thing for her, take the test, free her father—our father—but how could I open that door now? I took a deep breath and marveled at my surroundings. I never had to worry about money or safety or security again. It had almost all been taken from me once. I couldn’t risk it all again. Not even for Syl. Before I could say a word, she took my hands.
“I know,” she said. “It’s okay.”
Of course she knew, but it wasn’t okay.
Sweet Syl.
“I took care of it,” she said, with an air of authority.
“Took care of what?” I released her hands instinctively, but she grabbed one of mine again, slipping me a piece of paper. I opened it furtively.
A DNA test. With very high percentages.
Essentially, confirmed sisters.
I crumpled the paper immediately, terrified by what it meant.
“Relax,” she said, taking it back from me to put in her purse, hidden away.
“YOU relax,” I hissed. “How did you—”
“I’m not going to share this with the Cases, you have my word.”
“But I didn’t—”
“With enough alternative samples, they can often get a solid read.”
“What the fuck are alternative sam—”
“Hair. Gum. Cigarettes. Lots of things.”
Jesus Christ, shewasmy sister.
“From the very beginning?” I asked, hushed, feeling deeply violated but also filled with a new level of respect.
“I wanted you to take the test of your own volition. It’s better evidence, but you didn’t so I did what I had to do. This is a start. I told you, Bea. I would do anything to get him out.”
“Holy shit,” I whispered. What else could I say?
“It’s not quite enough, though...” Syl trailed off.
“You can’t tell the Cases. I can’t be involved, it’s not—”
“Bea. I don’t want to blow up your life,” she said, grabbing my hands again. All I could do was laugh. “Listen. The fire? Gale? I know it washer. So do you. She’s close. She’s watching.”
I couldn’t speak.
“You don’t have to say anything,” Syl said, dead serious. “But I’m going after her.”
“After her to do what?! You can’t—”
“I can and I will.”
“You don’t know her. You don’t know what she can do.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Syl said. “You don’t need to worry. I’m going to take care of everything. I’m your big sister.”
“I don’t want her to hurt you.”
