The Purrfect Lie (Klepto Cat Mystery Book 12) (17 page)

“What?” Jenna said, standing abruptly.

“Read it,” Savannah suggested gently.

The two guests sat quietly, watching Jenna’s expression as she read the newspaper story.

Suddenly, she eased into a kitchen chair. “My God. It’s true. I did have a sister.” Her eyes welled with tears and her voice cracked. “It isn’t just a dream; it’s true.” When she looked up, the others could see the tears streaming down her cheeks. “But why?” she asked. “Why did my parents keep this from me? Why?”

Savannah stood and walked behind Jenna, putting her hands on her shoulders.

“I don’t know whether to be angry or thrilled,” she said sobbing. “A twin sister. I can’t believe it. My gosh,” she said, standing and pacing, “I wonder if there’s any way we could find her…I mean with the Internet and all.”

She swiped at her eyes with her sleeve, saying, “This changes everything…my history, my future…everything.” She looked at the other women. “I must confront my parents. It was unfair of them to keep this from me—what in the hell were they thinking?” She shook her head slowly. “What was the point in keeping this a secret? I don’t get it.” Suddenly, she stood rigid and spoke quietly. “Is she dead? Do you know? Was she killed?”

“I don’t think so,” Savannah said. “In fact I want you to know that we may have located your sister.”

“What?” she asked, straightening her posture, her eyes wide. “Where? Where is she? I want to see her. Take me to her.”

Savannah put her hand on Jenna’s arm. “She doesn’t know what happened to her all those years ago. She believes that her abductor, who raised her, was her father. Like you, she doesn’t know what happened thirty years ago.” She spoke more softly now. “And like you, Jenna, she has a definite sense that something is missing from her life. I believe it’s your bond. The bond the two of you shared so intimately in the womb and then for nearly two years of your life. That must be one strong bond.”

Jenna began sobbing again. She then looked at the picture of her sister in the paper and said, “Alicia. Her name is Alicia.” She held the article to her and fought back another barrage of emotion. Just then they heard Bradley fussing in the other room.

“Oh, nap time’s over,” she said, dabbing at her eyes. “That was short.”

“I’ll get him,” Savannah offered, “if you don’t think I’ll scare him.”

“Thanks,” Jenna said. She handed Savannah a stuffed bear. “Here, take Mr. Teddy.” In a few moments, Savannah returned with a dry-diapered toddler hugging his favorite bear toy. When he saw his mommy, he held out his arms and she took him and hugged him to her. “Let me fill his sippy cup, then I need to go talk to my parents.”

She gazed at Margaret and Savannah. “Would you go with me? I just don’t think I can do this on my own.” She straightened her posture. “What if they deny it? Obviously, they’re in denial, but why? Why did they keep this from
me,
of all people?”

****

“Alicia…” Allan Bryant said, attempting to hold his emotions in check. His voice cracked. “You found Alicia?”

“I think so,” Savannah said. She glanced at Barbara, who sat with the article on her lap, weeping into a handkerchief.

“Mother, why didn’t you tell me?” Jenna asked. “You have my picture all over this house and not one picture of my sister. Why? Why did you keep her from me? Why did you want to forget her?”

“Don’t be too hard on your mother,” Allan said, gently. “It was rougher than you can possibly imagine and she didn’t do well under the stress of it all.” He took a deep breath. “There were sightings, false hope, constant questions…it was more than we could take. When we were convinced she wasn’t coming home, we buried Alicia’s memory and tried to forget.” He rested his hands on his daughter’s shoulders. “We especially didn’t want you to be hurt by all of this. We felt we…had to make a choice. Alicia was gone—we decided to sacrifice her memory for your life. We thought it best that you didn’t know. You couldn’t miss someone you didn’t know existed.”

Jenna took a defiant stance. “Oh, Dad, you are so wrong. I’ve missed her every day of my life. I just didn’t know who it was that I missed so much—why there was such an empty spot in my heart.”

Allan looked into his daughter’s face and he began to weep. He pulled Jenna to him, held her tightly, and said into her hair, “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I had no idea.”

Suddenly, Barbara stood. Straight-faced and stoic, she said in a monotone, “Does it never end? Yes, now you know, Jenna. Savannah and Maggie know, but what does that change, except only to cause more heartache for more people?”

“Wait,” Savannah said. “As I told your husband, we think we’ve found your daughter.”

Barbara’s eyes lit up and then the light was quickly extinguished. “False hope. That’s all we’ve had is false hope. No, Savannah. No! No! No! I do not want to meet this girl.”

“Please, Mama,” Jenna said.

Savannah hesitated before saying, “I have a picture. Would you like to see her picture?”

All three Bryants stared at Savannah. They glanced at one another. Choking up, Jenna said, “Yes.” Allan nodded. Barbara turned her back and remained silent.

Savannah quickly located the picture on her phone and handed it to Jenna, who burst into tears. She ran her fingers over the image and then handed the phone to her father.

“Alicia,” he said. “She’s thin, but I’d know her anywhere.” He turned to his wife, “Honey, please look,” he said, holding the phone toward her.

The distraught woman held her breath for a moment, then let it out. She walked closer to her husband and peered at the screen on the phone he held. She gulped air and then finally broke down crying. Once she’d gained some control of her emotions, she said, “Okay.”

“Okay?” Jenna repeated in a questioning tone.

“Okay, bring her to me and let me decide.”

“I’m so glad you could come on short notice,” Savannah said, ushering Mary and Crissy into her living room the next day.

“I appreciate the invitation—I hate it when Mark works the weekends.” She placed Crissy on the floor and glanced up at Savannah. “I do want to be home before dark, though.”

“No problem.”

“Where’s your husband?” Mary asked, glancing around the room.

“He had an emergency at the clinic, actually. He should be back shortly. Would you like a cup of cocoa or tea? What sounds good?”

“Oh, the cocoa sounds wonderful,” Mary said, smiling, as she removed Crissy’s plush pink jacket.

“Come on into the dining room, I have cookies in the oven,” Savannah invited. She picked up Lily and placed her on a quilt on the dining room floor. “Here are your toys, baby girl; now share with Crissy.” She addressed Mary, “Sit there at the table with the girls, if you like, I’ll bring it in.”

Mary started to sit down when she noticed Rags on the buffet. “Savannah,” she called, “Rags is digging in your purse.”

Savannah walked to the doorway between the kitchen and dining room and peered in at him. She started to reach for Rags and lift him off the buffet, when she suddenly remembered something. “Oh, the cookies. I think they’re burning.”

“Were they burned?” Mary asked, when Savannah returned with a plate of cookies. “They smell wonderful.”

“Just a little scorched. I think they’re all right.” She then looked at the buffet and noticed that Rags had moved on, so she started to head back into the kitchen.

“Here, I want you to have this,” Mary said, handing her something.

“Oh, those pictures of the kids. How sweet. Thank you.” Savannah studied the gift. “This frame is adorable, where did you find it?”

“I made it.”

“That’s right, you’re an amazing artist.” Savannah said almost breathlessly. “Do you sell your art?”

Mary nodded. “Yeah, I take my paintings to juried shows and set up booths at community events.”

“Gosh, thank you, Mary,” Savannah said hugging her. “I will treasure this—for the adorable photo and also the gorgeous frame.”

Once Savannah had poured the cocoa, she joined Mary at the table. “Now what’s he doing?” Savannah asked, when she noticed Rags sitting on the floor in front of Mary and staring up at her.

Mary looked down and petted the cat, then said, “It looks like he brought me something.” She leaned over and picked up a fine gold chain with a tiny locket hanging from it. “Well, isn’t this precious?” she said, holding it up for Savannah to see. “Is it Lily’s baby locket?”

When Savannah saw what Mary held, she took in a sharp breath. “Oh my gosh. I’d forgotten about that.” She struggled with what to reveal…what to say…when suddenly it became unnecessary.

“It’s mine,” Mary said in a strained voice. “Where did you…? How did he...?” She glanced around, her brow knitted. She seemed weak. “Where did this come from? Savannah, what’s going on?”

“It’s yours?” Savannah asked. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Mary whispered. She then explained, “My father gave it to me when I was a baby. The A on it, he said, stands for
Angel
. I was his little angel.” She held it to her chest, tears welling in her eyes. “Isn’t that sweet?”

“Yes,” Savannah said.

Mary wiped her eyes and turned the locket over. “He etched an M in the back of it for Mary,” she said, running her hand over the faint engraving.

Just then Crissy crawled to her mother and stood, wanting to be picked up. Mary lifted her onto her lap and proceeded to clasp the necklace around the baby’s neck. “There you are, Crissy, Mommy’s little angel.” She turned toward Savannah again. “Where, in heaven’s name did he find it? How did Rags get his paws on my baby necklace? It used to be in my room, hanging over my baby picture. I haven’t seen it since before Mark and I got married. I looked all over for it when Crissy was born.”

“Mary, when was the last time you saw your dad?” she asked. “Do you know where he was living when he died?”

“Yeah, actually, he was living somewhere here in Hammond.” She pressed her lips together before saying, “He didn’t want me to visit. I was in college and he came to see me a few times, but I never saw where he lived when he was here. He was kind of sick by then and I…guess he didn’t want me to see him at his worst—didn’t want to burden me.”

Savannah stood and opened a drawer in the buffet. She knelt near Mary and put her hand on her knee. “Your locket was with this letter,” she said, handing it to Mary. “This is a copy of a letter presumably written by your…father. The police have the original.”

Mary frowned, slowly opened the letter, and began to read. After a few moments, she asked, “What does this mean? It’s not signed. How do you know…?” She helped Crissy down to the floor and the baby toddled off toward Lily. Mary slumped in her chair. “Kidnapped? How could that be?” She tossed the letter on the table in front of her and stiffened. “No,” she said defiantly. “I don’t believe it!” After sitting quietly for a few minutes, however, she said, “Well, it does answer some questions for me…but…oh my God, Savannah, do you know what this means?” Before Savannah could respond, Mary said, “My whole life has been a lie. Who am I?” she asked, weakly.

“Who are you?” Savannah said. “You’re the same beautiful woman you have always been. Nothing can change that, Mary.” She then said gently, “When you’re ready, I want you to read this newspaper story.”

The woman looked at Savannah and blinked. She glanced at her daughter, who was sitting on the floor with Lily, playing with a musical toy. “What is this?” she asked hesitantly, taking the article from Savannah.

“Just read it,” Savannah urged. “It will explain a lot.”

Mary fought to hold back a flow of tears, took a deep breath, and began to read the article. When she finished, she dropped her hands into her lap and stared down, a blank look on her face.

“Mary, I recently met the Bryants. Their daughter…your sister…and I have become friends.”

After taking a ragged breath, Mary said, “I remember you telling me you knew someone who looked like me. Did you know about this then?”

“Oh no. It all came to light within the last few days, actually.” She hesitated before asking, “Would you like to meet your family?”

“Uh, gads, that’s a tough one, Savannah. I mean, can you imagine what it would be like to suddenly learn that you are not who you thought you were—that your real family is made up of strangers and the man you called ‘Daddy’ was a criminal?”

Savannah shook her head slowly. “No. I cannot imagine it. But can you imagine going through the rest of your life without knowing your birth family? It isn’t as if they abandoned you. They loved you and still do.”

Mary shook her head. She stood and moved across the room. “Hell, I thought I knew my family—my father.” She turned abruptly to face Savannah. “My life was going along just fine until you decided to drop this bombshell.” She pressed her lips together and shook her head angrily. “Why, Savannah? Why did you find it necessary to interfere? I was okay until you did this to me.”

“Were you, Mary? What about that nagging feeling you get—that piece of you that’s missing? Don’t you want to find out what that’s all about? Don’t you want to know?”

Mary sat down and looked at the article again. “This sure looks a lot like the baby pictures I have at home, only I’m older. The earliest picture I’d ever seen of myself was taken when I was around two.” She put her hands up to her mouth. “My God,” she said, shaking her head slowly and sobbing.

When Savannah noticed the toddlers wandering toward the kitchen after Buffy, she rushed to intervene. Taking both girls by the hand, she walked them back to the dining room and enticed them with some of the toys. She heard Mary say in a croaky voice, “I may be damned if I do and damned if I don’t.” She raised her eyes to meet Savannah’s. “I guess I really should at least meet them and see for myself. I…can’t go through the rest of my life knowing, yet not really knowing. Okay, Savannah,” she said, “I’ll meet them. But what if…?”

“I can’t answer any of your what ifs, Mary; you know that. I can’t make any promises. But I agree, you should find out. This may just be the opportunity of a lifetime for you and for Crissy.”

“Yes, Crissy,” she said, softly. “If there’s someone out there who loves us, I shouldn’t deprive her, should I?”