“Where have you been all these years, Anna?”
“Everywhere.” She smiles.
It's odd, but the moment she says that I see a girl in the grocery store. She worked there after school. Mousy brown hair and glasses. She'd have faded into the background if it hadn't been those eyes. They matched my own. And then I see the woman who worked in the same store later in life. Could it be? Anna was around me all my life, and I didn't know it.
Creed wraps an arm around my waist, and I lean back against him, exhausted.
“Ready to go home?”
“I am.”
I have so many questions of my own, I am sure Willow does too, but for now, we are together. I lead Willow to a chopper and away from the stretcher carrying Chelsea’s lifeless form in a body bag.
Chapter 36
Anonymous
Billy had IDs made when we first moved here. The name she gave me, Anonymous, was too conspicuous. I became Anna Carter. The helicopter lulls me. I need to sleep. I wonder if killing Chelsea was the right thing to do. She was a victim, after all. The look on Sin's face when she saw me is what I see when I close my eyes. Somebody shoves my shoulder, and I open my eyes. Detective Willis looks slightly out of his depth. Seeing us together must be strange.
I sigh through my Miranda rights. I have done nothing wrong. I should be receiving a medal of honor for what I did. Still, I do as they tell me without a fight. They lead me into the police station and into an interrogation room. I sit, and a glass of water is placed in front of me.
“I’m going to cut to the chase.” Officer Jameson tell me. He’s Sin’s boyfriend. “When did you last see Robert Barnes?”
I shrug, "A few months ago, when my mama died. They were dating."
"Did you know Mr. Barnes died a few weeks ago?"
“Like I said. I haven’t been in touch with him.” Jameson pulls my bag from under the table.
“You sure you don’t have anything you want to tell me?”
I have always prided myself on knowing how to cover my tracks. If they go over to Mrs. G's house, they'll find her in bed, where she took her last breath. It would look natural. Nobody would suspect that I've been overdosing her. I cannot be linked to her in any way. But Robert. Slobber Rob. I stole his cards, cash, left my fingerprints all over there. I wonder if there was a part of me that wanted to be found. To be seen. Is that why I saved Sinclair?
“He killed my mother, Detective. So, I returned the favor.”
They both look at me in pity. Self-defense is one thing, revenge a whole other ball game.
"I will accept my punishment," I say without smiling.
Detective Jameson leads me to my holding cell, removing the cuffs. I rub my wrists and sit on the bench, waiting for what will inevitably come next.
An hour later, I hear footsteps and look up to see Detective Willis and Sin approaching. I was not granted bail, not that I wanted to be out there. Willis hangs around in the background.
“Is it true? You killed your mother’s boyfriend?” She doesn’t look horrified, just interested.
I nod. "He deserved it," I say simply.
"How long have you known about me? I remember you vaguely from high school. Your hair is different. You're older, obviously." She gives me a weak smile.
"Did you know you had a sister?"
She shakes her head. “Not at all. I guess I have some things to talk about with my parents.”
I walk back to the bench. It faces away from her.
“Thank you, Anna.”
I say nothing, just wait until she walks away. I take one last look at her.
