I hoped he had finally accessed the files on Wendy’s flash drive. The subject line didn’t scare me. Glenn had used the same one on an email of three moose looking out the windows of a car with a human body strapped to the top. Glenn was a member of both the National Rifle Association and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Go figure.

Ten minutes before one I went back to Borgman’s office and found an empty space on the curb in front. I parked and leaned against my car, watching to be sure Ella didn’t sneak away. To her credit, she came out precisely on the hour, and headed straight for me.

“I have until two.”

“May I treat you to lunch? It’s the least I can do for strong-arming you.”

She started down the sidewalk, past palm trees and street lamps. “You haven’t changed all that much. You used to smile at me like that when you wanted a piece of candy.”

“Think of lunch as payment for all the Tootsie Pops.”

“And you were always bullheaded.” She paused. “But at least you were clear about it. You didn’t simper, and you didn’t smile, and you didn’t lie.”

I knew who she was describing. I took a big chance. “When you talked about my special relationship with Wendy, I thought you just meant that she was my sister.”

“Oh?”

“Now I know the truth. When did you figure it out?”

“Your mother and father’s story was transparent to anybody who looked closely. But I had to give Arlie credit for coming back with you. I’m sure that sister of yours wasn’t happy about it.”

“Wendy spent so little time with us when I was growing up, she never seemed remotely like my mother.”

“I used to watch her whenever she had to be with you. When you were both at Christmas parties and other social occasions, she paid attention to you if other people were watching. She liked to show you off. Then, once you were both out of the spotlight, she ignored you.”

Ella’s characterization was so cruel, I didn’t know what to say. But a kaleidoscope of images flashed through my mind, as if they’d been stored there, waiting for the right moment.

She was right. Even my beloved alligator night-light? Bryce had been in the doorway watching when Wendy presented it to me. He’d been looking on, probably thinking what a perfect wife and mother she would make.

“Oh, God.” I shook my head.

“You don’t think it’s true?”

“No, I think it is true.”

She stopped walking, and for the first time, she actually looked sympathetic. “Your sister is very good at projecting whatever image will get her what she wants, Ryan. Do you know the worst? For a while, after things started going crazy at work, I actually wanted to be wrong. I wanted to be the one at fault. I cared too much about your parents to want them to suffer. But eventually they will. Because Wendy is good at pretending, but not good enough. She’s going to be brought down sooner than later. And they’ll have to cope.”