Hannah felt a surge of sympathy for Carly. No wonder she needed to talk to them! “So even if you have doubts, you feel you can’t discuss them with your mother?”

“That’s right, especially because I can’t put my finger on anything concrete. It’s just a gut level feeling I have. And I only have it once in a while.”

“But do you still like Jennifer?” Michelle asked.

“Yes. That’s the strange thing. Even when I doubt she’s really my sister, I still like her a lot.”

“Do you think part of your doubt is due to jealousy that your mother is so happy about someone other than you?” Michelle asked. “Think about that before you answer, Carly. If you do feel jealous, it would be entirely natural.”

Hannah held her breath. Michelle had asked a very difficult question of Carly.

“I’ve thought about that,” Carly answered. “And I don’t think it’s due to jealousy on my part. I’m more concerned with seeing Mom hurt if I’m right and she’s really not Jennifer.” Carly turned to face Hannah. “That’s why I wanted to talk to you, too. I know you’ve solved a slew of murders in the past couple of years. And that means you’re a really good investigator. Would you . . . could you . . . investigate Jennifer and find out if she’s really my sister?”

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