Identical Stranger. Alice Sharpe

      He made a note. “I’ll check again just to be on the safe side. If I learn anything, I’ll let you know.” The sergeant looked over at the wall clock and they finally took the hint.

      Once again they found themselves outside as overhead lights glittered on falling drops of silver rain.

      “Why didn’t you tell him about Sabrina and the rock?” she asked as he opened the passenger door.

      “Because I promised her I’d keep everything she told me quiet as long as I can. I’m doing my best. She’s concerned about her husband finding out. He’s a long ways away right now.”

      “In Antarctica,” Sophie remembered his saying. “Doing what?”

      “He’s part of an international team of biologists and other scientists investigating climatic changes. He’s been gone a couple of months. Sabrina doesn’t want him to worry.”

      “How do you feel about that?”

      “I feel that the stakes have changed. I feel Sabrina needs help and it’s clear to me that it’s not going to come from Sergeant Jones. He’s right that most people who leave suddenly and without explanation usually have a good reason. But most people haven’t been followed for days or felt invaded enough to ask for professional help.”

      “She must have been terrified,” Sophie said softly.

      He ran a hand through his gorgeous hair and looked her in the eye. “The bottom line is that right now it’s clear we represent her best chance of being found.”

      She noticed he used the word we, and as good as it made her feel inside, it frightened her, too. Was she up to the task? Well, she would just have to be. “You’re really worried about her,” she whispered.

      “Yeah,” he said, “I am.”