Felicity began twisting and tugging at her fingers. “What about Mama? She’s sick. I can’t desert her. She never deserted me.”
“She’s getting care. That won’t change.” Hope restrained herself from screaming out that Linda Turner was not Felicity’s mother. That her real mother had died a thousand deaths since the kidnapping. And that both her parents would be weak with gratitude that their daughter had been restored to them, however damaged.
“Can I still visit her?” Felicity asked. “She needs to see me. I’m all she has. For all the time she has left.”
Hope glanced over at Peg.
“We’ll talk about that later,” Peg replied.
“Thank you.” Felicity bit her lip. “I know I’ve been bad. I didn’t mean to be. I’m usually a very good girl.”
“Felicity.” Hope put a hand on her sister’s shoulder. “It’ll be all right.”
“We have psychologists en route,” Peg informed Hope quietly. “One who specializes in victims of childhood abductions like the one Krissy’s been through. She’ll meet you at your house. And a specialist for Felicity, who’s definitely suffering from Stockholm syndrome. She’ll be waiting at the New York Field Office when we arrive.”
“I appreciate that,” Hope said. “My parents will, too.”
“Once Krissy understands that Felicity is her aunt, that she was also taken by someone when she was a child, and that she was in that scary situation for years and years, she’ll start to feel empathy rather than fear,” Casey added. “Children bounce back quickly when there’s been no physical or emotional abuse. It will be tough going for a while. But Krissy is one strong little girl. She’ll be fine. As for Felicity…” A slow inward breath. “She’s going to need a lot of help. She’s lived a lifetime like this, not a week. And, in addition to professional help, she’ll need her family, especially after Linda is gone.”
“She’ll have us.” Hope’s face was damp with tears again as she turned back to her sister. “A lot of people love you,” she said fervently. “None of that has changed.”
A vacant expression crossed Felicity’s face. “Love me?”
Hope nodded. “Yes, Felicity, love you. You’re my sister. My twin. We’re connected. You wanted to love Krissy as your own, not to harm her. I know you’re confused. But your memories will come back. I’ll remind you of the good times. I promise.” She stepped away, as Peg indicated that it was time. “Go with the FBI,” Hope instructed her. “I’ll drive down to see you later.”
“Do you promise?”
“I promise.”
Felicity nodded her acceptance, pausing for a second before relinquishing herself to the task force. “I really do love Krissy,” she whispered.
“I know you do.”
Torn between anguish and relief, Hope watched as Felicity was led off.
For a long moment, she did nothing. Just composed herself, so she could give Krissy the love and strength she needed.
Then she turned, beckoning to Krissy, who was playing a game of tug-of-war with Hero. Her T-shirt was definitely the loser.
“Let’s go, sweetheart,” Hope called. “We have to call Daddy. And it’s time we went home.”
Krissy raced over to her instantly and glued herself to her mother’s side. Hope clasped her hand securely in her own.
Then they walked slowly back to the van, and to the life they would fight to recapture.
EPILOGUE
The Forensic Instincts team sat around the brownstone’s conference table, raising their glasses of champagne in triumph.
“To a job well done,” Casey toasted. “And to an amazing team of pros—both our original threesome, and our two new additions—Claire and Hero.” She tipped her champagne flute in Claire’s direction. “Welcome. I’m so glad you decided to leave the world of the straight and narrow, and take a walk on the wild side.”
“Me, too.” Claire’s eyes twinkled. “The straight and narrow’s not all it’s cracked up to be. A walk on the wild side will be very refreshing.”
With a return grin, Casey lowered her gaze to the floor, where Hero was sprawled at her feet, taking a well-deserved, and much-needed, nap. “And you, my friend, are the man of the hour. A true hero.”
He acknowledged her praise with a snore.
“Hero’s got the right idea. Sleeping it off.” Ryan gave a huge yawn. “When was the last time any of us got a full night’s sleep?”