“That in tandem with the cooler of organs you found might just be enough to put Rouge away. She’s got power and influence, but no one can fight the court of public opinion once all the evidence has been revealed to the world.”
“I agree. The chief of police is in her pocket, but even he won’t be able to look the other way at this.” I frown. “Speaking of which, why do you suppose you and Maddox weren’t killed and harvested as well? Obviously, I’m glad you weren’t, but still…”
“I’ve thought that over as well. Maddox comes from a long line of politically powerful people. I think Rouge wanted to keep him around, break him in the Caterpillar Hotel, and then use his influence to add to her power.”
“Then why keep you around?”
“I would have been leverage. He’d have to do as she said or she’d have me killed.”
I swallow. “Thank God it didn’t come to that.”
She frowns. “The only thing that doesn’t gel with that theory is the fact that Rouge left us for dead. Maddox was already passed out when you arrived. Harrison himself said he wasn’t sure he would make it.” Her lip trembles, but she steadies it.
I shrug. “Honestly, I have no idea how Rouge’s mind works.”
“But she’s your sister. Surely you have some idea?—”
I hold up a hand. “I’ve never been able to figure her out.”
I love playing with my dollies.
In their world, I’m in charge. I choose what they wear, who they have tea parties with, what they do.
Mommy gives me a new doll almost every week. I have so many now that they take up almost all the space in my playroom.
Honestly, the dollies are the only attention I get from Mommy. She and Daddy spend all their energy oohing and aahing over Rougey. Daddy used to pay me lots of attention when I was littler, but now he’s focused only on my sister.
She’s six years older than I am. Just turned thirteen. She’s great in school, and she’s immediately good at everything she tries. Piano, art, archery, softball, fencing.
I’m okay at stuff. But Mommy tells me that I’m best at being pretty and playing with my dollies.
So here I am.
A sudden wave of frost shivers through me. It’s a feeling I’m used to. It comes every time Rougey is near. I look up and sure enough, she’s standing in the doorway.
She walks in, sneering at the dollies. “Playing dolls again, Bianca?”
I swallow. “Yeah. Mommy says it’s what I do best.”
She rolls her eyes. “You realize that’s not a compliment, right? Mom thinks you’re dim in the head, that you’re never going to amount to anything.” She tosses her long red hair. “Not like me. She thinks I can be anything I want to be. Daddy’s already talking about giving me his clubs when I’m old enough.”
Daddy runs clubs downtown. I don’t know a whole lot about them. I know they’re different from like chess club at school. It sounds like they’re a place where grown-ups go to dance with each other. Seems silly. You can dance at home, and you can do it in your jammies there.
“That’s great, Rougey.” I don’t know what else to say.
She squats down, frowning. “You know, if you want to make something of yourself like I will, there are different games you can play. More grown-up games than tea party with your dollies.”
“But I like tea parties with my?—”
Rougey holds up a hand. “No, you don’t. You just think you do. Mom doesn’t see your potential.” Something changes in her eyes. “Not the way I do. Isn’t there anything else you like to do?”
I scratch my head. “I guess I like to sing. It would be fun to do plays like the ones we see downtown.”
“There you go. Keep thinking in that direction.” She picks up one of my favorite dolls, a Malibu Barbie. “In the meantime, you’ll have to stop playing with dollies if you want to get there.”
“But Rougey?—”
She snaps my Barbie’s head right off.
