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Not much surprised her anymore.

But the headline staring back from the Denver Chronicle certainly did.

PRESIDENTIAL PARDON

Her pulse thudded in her ears. Her mind spun.

He was free.

Felicity’s gaze swept the squad room, as if he might materialize out of thin air. The same sergeant who had welcomed her years ago now stood before the rookies, the same clipboard in his hand. Officers moved through the bullpen. People she knew by name. People she trusted — to a point.

He wasn’t here.

Of course he wasn’t.

Besides … you are Felicity Graham.

Only two other people knew the identity that had begun seventeen years ago. And she trusted them completely.

Felicity drew in a slow breath.

You’re fine.

Just fine.

But what about … her?

The thought slipped in before she could stop it.

And she had no way of knowing.

Because she’d severed all ties.

*

The email arrived mere days later. It reeked of spam, and she almost deleted it. Then the subject line delivered an unwelcome jolt.

Justice for Mama!

Her stomach tightened.

The message itself contained a single line.

I need your help.

The sender name held only two letters.

IL

And she knew exactly whose initials those were.

The sister she had abandoned.

Illusions

1

String lights