“That’s exactly right.” Carly sighed deeply and took a sip of her iced tea. “I don’t think she’s really Jennifer. I think she’s just pretending to be my sister Jennifer.”

“What makes you think that?” Hannah asked the most important question.

“Little things. Just little things, like she didn’t remember what I gave her for her birthday right before she ran away.”

“How many years ago was that?” Hannah asked, even though she knew the answer to her own question because Michelle and Carly had been in the same high school class and their birthdays were ten months apart.

“Sixteen years ago.”

“Do you remember what Jennifer gave you for your birthday that year?” Michelle asked her.

“Yes. It was a doll with blond hair and blue eyes. She told me it looked just like me.” Carly stopped and swallowed hard. “I just loved that doll. I still have it. And Jennifer was the one who planned my party. She even baked me a cake with a big number four on it.”

“What did you give Jennifer for her birthday?” Hannah asked.

“Bath beads. They were really pretty and they were in a round see-through plastic case. They came in all sorts of colors and they looked like jewels.”

“What did Jennifer say when you asked her if she remembered?” Michelle leaned forward, waiting for the answer.

“She said, ‘I’m so sorry, Carly. I don’t remember. I really don’t remember very much about that last year at home. I hope you’re not hurt, but I don’t want to lie to you and say I remember, when I don’t.’ ”

Michelle nodded. “That was a good answer, Carly. Maybe she really doesn’t remember.”

“Or maybe she’s not really Jennifer and she never knew,” Carly said, looking a bit sick at the prospect. “I realize that doesn’t prove anything, but it’s just one of several things.”

“Tell us some of the other things that make you suspect her,” Hannah said.

“Well . . . there’s the bath. Jennifer loved baths. I remember that. It’s why I gave her the bath beads. They melted when you put them in the bottom of the tub and ran bath water in, and they smelled so good.” Carly turned to Hannah. “I’m not sure they even sell them anymore, but you know what I’m talking about, don’t you?”

“I know,” Hannah told her.

“Jennifer didn’t sleep well the night before last, so before I went to bed last night, I asked her if she wanted me to run her a nice, relaxing bath. She used to love taking long baths right before bed. She’d give me a bath and then she’d clean out the tub and take one herself while Mom was reading me a bedtime story.”

“That’s nice,” Michelle said.