When she came out, Mara was handling the shotgun with the loving care of a Chicago gangster. “I’m not feeling as lenient as I was yesterday, so try to stay conscious or I’ll be forced to kill you while you stare, eyes wide and your mind vacant.”

“You can’t use a Taser on me, so I should be fine.” Kellen peeled back the packaging of a nutrition bar and took a big bite. “Even if you could, and did, there would be no one to watch how cleverly you’ve destroyed me.” She chewed thoroughly. “It always seems to be that way for you, doesn’t it?”

“I work in the shadows,” Mara said softly.

“No one appreciates you or gives you credit. Why, if I lost consciousness, not even me, your best friend, would know that you killed me.”

Mara’s blue eyes blazed in fanatical fury. “Stay conscious, then.”

Kellen had thought this out. Thought it through carefully. She had to keep Mara simmering with anger, make sure she was on the edge of mania, and at the same time keep her from prematurely killing Kellen in a last, murderous act of vengeance. “You know, Mara, you think you know me. You think we were once best friends. But you don’t even know my real name.”

“You’re Kellen Adams. Kellen Rae Adams.” Mara was obviously proud of herself that she knew Kellen’s middle name.

“Kellen Rae Adams was my cousin.” Kellen finished up the nutrition bar and threw the wrapper on the floor. “I’m Cecilia Adams.”

The wrapper rolled toward the cabinet and under the toe kick.

Mara watched the motion, mesmerized, then returned her gaze to Kellen. For the first time today, she seemed more bewildered than lethal. “Why are you telling such an outrageous lie?”

“You know me so well. You know I wouldn’t tell you a lie.” Kellen made her voice warm and persuasive. “I’m not who you think I am. When my first husband killed my cousin Kellen Rae, I took her identity. I’ve been homeless, served in the military, had a baby, married Max, survived brain surgery—and all the while I’ve been lying about who I am. I’m Cecilia. Trust me, Mara. I’m Cecilia.”

“No,” Mara breathed.

“Everything you’ve told yourself all these years about you and me, and what friends we are, and how we know each other—none of it is true. I lied to you. I’ve lied to the whole world.” Kellen leaned her palms on the kitchen table, leaned toward Mara, and said, “I’m telling you the truth now, so you know—you can never kill Kellen Rae Adams. She was brave. She was strong. She was your worthy opponent—and she’s already dead.” Kellen’s voice caught on a shard of familiar sorrow.