Page 105 of Anyone But You

I did as I was instructed and walked through the detector. I’m handed back my belongings along with a visitor badge that was clipped to a lanyard.

“Please have a seat,” he said, pointing to a set of plastic blue chairs. “Someone will be down to collect you.”

My feet tapped on the gleaming tile floor as I waited. I didn’t have to wait long until a man in a suit appeared, calling my name.

“Ms. Caldwell?”

I stood and took his outstretched hand.

“Yes, sir.”

“I’m Special Agent Fuentes, Special Agent Domer’s partner. I have been assisting him with your case. Will you please follow me?”

We rode an elevator to the third floor, and when the doors opened, we were met by another suit with tired eyes.

“Ms. Caldwell. I’m Special Agent Domer. It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for coming.”

We shook hands.

“Thank you for your diligence.”

He gestured for me to follow him down a corridor lined with closed doors and security cameras. “We’ve logged the items, and they’re ready for you to view and sign off on. But before that, we can take you to see your sisters. They’re being held for processing.”

“Do they know that I’m here?”

“They are aware you’re coming,” he answered.

We stopped at a door with a small window. Special Agent Domer swiped a badge against the card reader, and the lock clicked open.

The room was exactly how I pictured it—cold, sterile, white walls, a bolted-down table, plastic chairs, and a glass viewing wall. Through the glass, I see Hope and Faith sitting side-by-side, looking annoyed and disheveled.

I sucked my teeth.

They couldn’t even bother to pretend to be remorseful.

“Can I go in?”

“You may,” Agent Domer confirmed. “You can speak with them for a few minutes. There will be an officer present in the room with you at all times. Once you’re finished, I’ll bring you to evidence to identify your property.”

“Okay.”

“Are you ready?”

I nodded.

He opened the door and motioned me inside. I stepped forth, Hope and Faith’s eyes lifted. For a second, the years fell away, and I felt as if my childhood was staring back at me. It wasn’t all bad. Not every day was a nightmare, but it was enough to leave a permanent stain. But then I saw the handcuffs and was snapped back to reality.

I pulled out the chair opposite them and sat, setting my handbag on the table. We sized each other up—taking in the differences. Before the island, I hadn’t seen them for three months. The difference was jarring, especially Faith’s chest, which was no longer a modest B-cup. Her new breasts looked to be a voluptuous DD. She always complained about her “small boobs” and had picked on me growing up because I was more developed than she was. Hope’s waist was snatched to the gods—she’d finally gotten that lipo she’d always wanted.

These bitches really stole my money and had their bodies done.

“I wish that things could’ve been different. I wish that you two had made better choices and weren’t facing twenty years in federal prison. I wish that Mom could’ve been surrounded by her daughters one last time before she passed, but that’s not going to happen. I didn’t come here to scream at you,” I said, looking from one to the other. “I came here because I need to understand why. I need to know why you hacked my accounts, stole my identity, and raided my apartment. Do you know what happened to Mom after you stole from me?”

Faith cracked immediately.

“I’m sorry! You weren’t supposed to come back!” she cried out, tears spilling out of the corner of her eyes. They zig-zagged down until they dripped onto the metal table.

My throat tightened, but I pushed the words out anyway.