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I glance toward the exit door and then back at Ginger, torn bethat sheto Charlie

"I talked to souy on her phone yesterday She said he was her father but I’m not so sure"

Chapter twenty

CHARLIE

Who the fk is George Rourke?

This was supposed to be a fake ID Fake! But the way Cain just went on, talking about these people I supposedly know,real people

Charlie is a real person

Apparently, up until four years ago, a person who probably laughed and cried and partied with her friends People called her Charlie and she responded She looked in a mirror and saw a face that was not my face, the one that has assumed her identity

And then she disappeared without a trace? People don’t just disappear I know, because I’ to There’s only one explanation that makes sense

Oh, God

I’et my seat belt off and the door open before my stomach’s contents spill out onto the pavement Thank God it’s late and I’m on a quiet side street with no witnesses aside fro a trash bin When I have nothing left to expel, I cliin to stream, but I wipe the through lance at the clock on the dashboard It’s just after ht owl and an early riser

I know I shouldn’t do this I’m never supposed to contact hi I punch in the nu it can’t be traced if there’s a wiretap on the hoed breaths, I wait, ive out soon if I don’t find some relief for it I don’t even know if he’ll be home He’s hardly ever ho my fear aside with a hard saste no ti

And then a click

I force myself to breathe as I press the phone to my chest Did he hear me? Did he think it was a prank call? Should I call back?

The ring that breaks into the silence?" His tone is low and harsh Sa, but I’ve heard hiht I’ll bet he switched phones He’s probably also in the unfinished cellar The roos within, should soest and ritfor an excuse In o I was si for an answer to cal about Cain or his investigative practices Stupid girl! What is happening to ilant Nohen Iit!

But it’s too late Sam needs an answer I schuckle e "Well, of course she’s real She’s you"

I shutevasive "Was she someone else before she was me?"

There’s a pause and then, to my surprise, Sam actually answers "Yes"