“She surprised me, and I didn’t want to hurt her. She was out of her mind. So damned angry, so furious. She came at me teeth bared, nails slashing. I tried to sidestep her as she lunged, but we went down together. I remember that.” He rubbed a hand over his chin as the waitress picked up his empty glass and left a full one in front of him.

“And you hit your head.”

He nodded.

“And then you blacked out.”

“Yes.”

“And woke up in the hospital with amnesia.” She couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of her voice. What the hell was she doing here, listening to this BS? She was sick of it. “So what happened to her—to Megan?” She took a swallow from her drink, barely tasting it, realizing it had grown cold. Her gaze was fastened to him, searching for any kind of reaction.

“I heard she drove away from the house. Bobby thinks he saw her car leaving when he was on his way back to the house and, from what the cops told me, she was on her way to your house, but didn’t make it.”

Square One all over again.

“Where do you think she is?”

The question surprised her. “I don’t know. That’s why I’m here.”

“But you must have a theory.” He looked at her over the rim of his glass as he took another swallow.

“I don’t know. She said she was on her way. Called me. Upset. And I waited.”

“But she didn’t show.”

“Right.”

“And you have no idea what happened to her.”

“Of course not.”

One of his dark eyebrows arched.

“You think I know something I’m not saying?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time sisters got together.”

“Oh, come on. To what? Frame you?” she said, her voice rising. “Is that where you’re going?”

“You both have your reasons.”

“Are you kidding?” she growled. “What part of hell do your thoughts come from? Why would I come all this way and stay here indefinitely if I knew?”

“Good question. One maybe you could answer.”

She leapt to her feet, torn between fury and disbelief.

“How would it look if you hadn’t shown up, hadn’t started demanding answers of the police?” he pointed out.

“You don’t really believe that.”

She saw, then, that his mood had lightened somewhat, that he was enjoying baiting her a bit. That pissed her off. “Let’s get this straight, okay? I did not drive over here to ‘look’ legit . . . to—to throw the police off the scent or whatever it is you’re getting at.” She felt her eyes narrow as she leaned across the table so that her nose was nearly touching his. “Don’t do this, James. Don’t try to put this on me. I came here to help find Megan. That is the single reason I’m here.”