"I was, until I saw the guard outside her room. I thought I might be able to claim that I was family, although I wasn't thinking anyone would realize so quickly how much alike we are."

"I'm not just anyone. Your eyes are like mine, like hers, like my sister's. You have the same freckle under your eye."

"You grew up to be a beautiful woman," Rachel said, her gaze softening.

Her words confused me. "It sounds like you saw me when I was younger. Did we meet?"

"No. But one time when you were a little girl, I thought maybe you saw me at the museum."

"At the museum?" I echoed.

"Your mother and I used to meet there every couple of months, while you and your sister were in the children's room."

"Was that why she took us there, so she could meet you away from our house? My father didn't know about you, did he?"

"No. We agreed a long time ago that it was better if no one knew that either of us had a sister."

"Why was it better? What were you involved in?"

Before she could answer, we heard someone coming down the stairs. "We have to get out of here," she said.

I nodded, then pushed open the door behind me. We exited the building near the parking structure and ran inside, ducking behind a truck. As we watched the door we'd just come thru, a young woman exited the building. She was on her phone and didn't look at all threatening.

I blew out a breath. "We're okay," I said.

"We're not okay. Where's your car?"

I led the way to my vehicle, flipping the locks so we could get inside.

She put on her seat belt and said, "Drive."

"Where?"

"Somewhere that isn't here. We need to get away from this hospital."

I started the engine and pulled out of the space, keeping an eye out as I left the lot. I drove a few blocks, not sure where to go next.

"Turn left at the next street," Rachel said.

I followed her directions, realizing we were heading toward Golden Gate Park, and my misgivings came back.

"I'm not going to the park," I said flatly.

"No, we're going to the beach. Just go straight. We'll run right into it."

I had a million questions to ask her, but they were all jumbled up in my head, so I drove to the end of the road and entered the parking lot next to Ocean Beach. The fog was just off the coastline, the waves large and wild.

I turned my gaze away from the sea to Rachel. "Tell me why my mother is in danger."

"There was trouble a long time ago," Rachel said, turning to face me. "Actually, Laura and I were born into trouble."

"What does that mean?"