Cassidy wasn't sure what exactly was happening right now. Had she fallen asleep after one too many glasses of wine and was having a nightmare? A nightmare wouldn't allow her to see her sister in such clear detail though.
"Are you who I think you are?" Cassidy asked, while pinching herself.
Yup, this was definitely not a dream, she thought, as pain shot through her arm.
"Who do you think I am?" the woman in front of her asked, smiling broadly.
"Rose," she found herself blurting.
There was no other explanation. Although the woman standing in front of her didn't resemble the thirteen-year-old Cassidy had known, her eyes were still the same. A green so dark, it almost looked black.
"Are you going to let me in?" Rose asked again.
Cassidy continued to stare at her sister, unsure what to do. How was her sister on her doorstep at this moment? What was happening?
"Umm, sure," Cassidy answered, finally.
Letting Rose in was the only way she was going to get answers. As she walked in, Cassidy took her time to take in her sister's appearance.
Rose's hair was no longer dark brown like when they were younger. It was jet black now and hung down her back in simple curls. She still towered over Cassidy, something Cassidy had hated when they were younger. Being the taller one was always something she had wanted, even though she knew it was impossible.
Rose was dressed rather casual in slacks and a shirt. It wasn't the style Cassidy thought she would have had. Her sister always seemed more like the jeans and hoodie kind of person. This just showed how much Cassidy didn't know about her sister. Twelve years had indeed changed her.
As Rose walked into the apartment, Cassidy noticed the way her eyes tracked everything. There was definitely something different about the Rose standing in front of her. The younger Rose had been carefree and more open. The one in front of her looked rather tense and hard around the edges.
"It's been a long time," Rose said, walking into the living room.
All Cassidy could do was nod. Her tongue felt heavy and talking seemed impossible. Reuniting with her sister had always been an image in Cassidy's head for as long as she could remember. But right now, she didn't know what to do.
"I imagine this must be a surprise to you," Rose continued talking, her eyes scanning the apartment.
Again, all Cassidy could do was nod.
"It is a surprise to me as well. You're living such a good life Cassie. It's what we always dreamed about."
The tears Cassidy had been holding at bay since seeing her sister fell down her cheeks slowly. To hear her sister talking to her and calling her Cassie; it was a joy she couldn't even begin to describe.
"Rosie," she finally managed to say, her voice choked with tears.
"It's so good seeing you again Cassie," Rose said, looking at her with a genuine smile.
All Cassidy wanted to do was hug her sister and cry. But Rose made no move to come closer, so Cassidy stayed rooted to her spot, behind the couch.
"Where have you been all this time?" Cassidy asked.
"It's been a bit rough. Some foster homes here and there. I've been on my own for a while."
The way she answered was so nonchalant, but Cassidy knew the things she had been through. From the abuse in the foster homes to being in jail recently.
"I tried to find you. But I couldn't," Cassidy cried.
She swiped her hands over her face, drying her tears.
"I found you," Rose answered.
Now this was a shocker. Cassidy hadn't known that.
"How did you find me?" she questioned.
"I always knew where you were Cassie. You're my little sister," Rose answered, a small smile on her face.
Rose walked around some more, walking to the mantle in the living room. Cassidy should invite her to sit or even ask if she wanted something to drink, but she had so many questions. She didn't think she could handle the small talk.
"Why didn't you come and see me before? I was so worried about you. I tried looking for you, but I couldn't find you."
Rose turned to the coffee table now and picked up a piece of paper. It was a cake design Cassidy had been working on.
"Things were a bit difficult before. But I knew we needed to see each other now."
"Why now?" she wondered.
"The police have been talking to you," Rose said, as she placed the drawing back onto the table and fixed her gaze on Cassidy.
"How do you know about that?" Cassidy asked confused.
Had Rose been watching her? That was the one way she could have known. Cassidy hadn't told anyone about the police and their theories on Rose, except her mother. And she was sure Martha wasn't the one who had told Rose what was going on.
"I told you. I knew where you were all along Cassie."
A hint of a smile played on Rose's lip. She seemed more interested in Cassidy's apartment than the conversation they were having.
"So, you've been following me?" Cassidy asked.
"Following is a strong word. I was just keeping an eye on my younger sister, making sure she was okay."
"You could have made yourself known sooner. That would have made sure I was okay. Do you know what the police are saying about you? Do you know what they think you did?"
Guess it was time to talk about the elephant in the room. Cassidy had so many questions.
"I have an idea," Rose said, a hint of a smile on her face again.
"Then tell me they're wrong. Tell me they don't know what they're talking about," Cassidy pleaded.
"Why do you need to hear that from me? Are you beginning to question your older sister Cassie?"
She was. It was difficult not to with all the evidence.
"The police have evidence. They're saying you're a suspect in this case."
"They can say what they want," Rose answered, nonchalantly.
"Does it not bother you? Do you not want to clear you name?"
"Once you believe me, that's all I need Cassie."
Cassidy shook her head. She wasn't sure what she believed anymore.
"You need to turn yourself in to the police. You have to clear your name," Cassidy said, ignoring her sister's previous statement.
For the past two weeks she had been praying her sister wasn't the murderer. But evidence was mounting, and it was hard to ignore the things that were staring her in the face.
"Why didn't you do deliveries today?" Rose asked, not answering her question.
"What?"
The sudden change in topic threw Cassidy off her game.
"You usually do deliveries for the bakery. Why didn't you do them today?"
"You know where I work?" Cassidy asked confused.
Rose just smiled. Her eyes seemed to be scanning the wall behind Cassidy. It was where Cassidy had placed most of her school awards and some photos with friends, as well as pictures of some of the more amazing cakes she had done.
"Why didn't you come see me earlier Rose?" Cassidy asked, pulling back her sister's attention.
The back and forth game was growing tiring. Answers were all she wanted now.
"It wasn't the proper time."
"And now is?"
"It is," Rose answered, not looking at Cassidy.
Instead her focus was on a picture on Cassidy's mantle. It was a picture with Martha and Leon. They had taken one last winter after Seth had won an award for his academics.
"You've had quite the life," Rose noted, the bitterness clear in her voice.
"I'm sorry you weren't adopted into a good home," Cassidy apologized.
"Yeah well it's water under the bridge."
Her tone and her expression told Cassidy that it wasn't water under the bridge. Rose had a tough time after their parents' death. It was reasonable for her to be bitter at Cassidy.
"Do you sleep at night?" Rose asked suddenly.
"I do," Cassidy answered unsure. She didn't know where this conversation was going.
"I don't. Every time I close my eyes, I remember what that man did to us. The crying, the whips, everything. Do you not remember any of that?" Rose asked, staring at Cassidy.
A flash of memory bombarded her head. The whip on her thigh. The cries of pain. Cassidy took a deep breath and brought herself out of that memory.
"I remember. But he's dead. He can't do us any more harm," Cassidy stated.
It was what she had told herself for years after to stop feeling like that man was going to come after her.
"That doesn't diminish what he did to us though," Rose argued.
"It doesn't. But I'm not going to live my life being afraid of him when he's no longer here."
It had taken Cassidy a long time to accept what had happened and to get over it. She knew now that none of it was her fault.
"They must have paid a pretty penny for your therapy," Rose said, with a twisted smile.
Cassidy was spared from answering when her sister dropped the photo. The resounding crash made Cassidy jump in fright.
"It was nice seeing you again Cassie. But I think I've had enough of you for one night."
With that, Rose walked to the door. Cassidy stood shocked. What had just happened? One minute they were talking, the next her sister was dropping the photo.
Cassidy gathered herself enough to say one last thing to her sister before she left.
"You should turn yourself in. The police have a lot of questions for you," she suggested.
"Let them find me first," Rose answered with a sinister smile and then walked out.
Cassidy crumbled to the floor. Her heart was beating so hard against her chest, she was sure it was going to burst out.
Rose had been here. She had finally seen Rose after twelve years. Her big sister. Tears fell freely down her face.
What had happened to make Rose storm out? Was it talking about their father? Or seeing the life Cassidy had gotten? There were so many things that could have gotten Rose upset. She just wasn't sure which one it was.
After a good crying session, Cassidy got up to clean the mess Rose had made. The glass was shattered, and the frame was broken, but the picture was still intact. She smiled just looking at it.
Her arms were wrapped around Leon and Martha while Seth was standing in front of her, holding up his trophy. They were all smiling brightly for the camera. It looked like a perfect family photo. This could have been what upset Rose.
Cassidy's phone rang pulling her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the caller ID and saw it was Wyatt calling. Had they found out about Rose's visit already? Calling Wyatt had crossed her mind, but she wanted time to process what had happened before she spoke to the police about it.
"Wyatt," Cassidy answered.
"Hey, yeah, it's me. Where are you right now?" he asked, worry ringing in his voice.
"In my apartment. I had a full day at the bakery," she answered.
Rose's visit would remain a secret till Cassidy came to terms with it herself. She was sure tomorrow would be just as fine to let them know.
"Did you have a delivery today for Greenville?" he questioned.
"Uh, yeah, I did. Lance was supposed to drop it off. Why?" she asked, confused by the sudden question.
How did he know about her deliveries? He hadn't been back to the bakery since that day last week.
"The family that ordered the cake was found murdered. Lance was the one who found them. The pattern fits that of the Family Killer. I need you to come down to the station tomorrow to answer some questions. I'll send Adam to pick you up."
She wasn't sure if she answered Wyatt with words after his statement. Her mind was reeling so much, she didn't think she could form proper sentences.
The Family Killer had killed again. But Rose had been with her when they found the body. Did this mean Rose wasn't the killer? Was she finally able to prove her sister's innocence?
But was her sister really innocent? Rose hadn't denied the accusations Cassidy had made earlier. She didn't agree with them either. The things she had said had made Cassidy's mind even more confused. Maybe keeping Rose's visit a secret wasn't the best thing to do for this case.
Finding the killer was the important thing. Even if her sister was the killer.
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