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don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “Yeah, whatever, and you don’t need to worry about me so much.”
    “I always worry about you, and if I didn’t care so much, it wouldn’t matter—now would it?”
    “I know you do, and I love you for it, but believe me when I say I’m fine. To tell you the truth, I’m actually looking forward to a change of scenery.” Rheyna reached over and pulled the envelope out from beneath the keys. She raised the flap and pulled out the contents. She looked at the copy of her new California driver’s license. “This isn’t too bad. At least they let me keep my first name, and I’m only twenty-eight.”
    Laura snorted. “In your dreams, you’re twenty-eight. How old are you, anyway?”
    Rheyna tossed her the driver’s license. “Thirty-five and holding with a birthday coming up in May, smart ass.”
    Laura did a mock salute and curled her upper lip, doing her best Elvis impersonation and said, “Thank’ya, thank’ya very much. I’ll be here all week.”
    Rheyna shook her head and laughed. “You’re just not right. That’s all there is to it.”
    Laura glanced at the driver’s license. “That’s not too bad, considering what name they could’ve given you. What’s left?” she asked.
    Rheyna skimmed through the other documents. “A college transcript from Oklahoma University for a B.A.S. in Photography and a Chequotah, Oklahoma police report showing that I was arrested as a juvenile for petty theft and vandalism.” Rheyna felt the color drain from her face.
    Laura must have seen it, too. “What is it? What’s wrong?” Laura asked, taking the papers from Rheyna’s hand. She looked at the documents and shook her head. “You know these aren’t real,” she said, throwing her arms around Rheyna’s shoulders.
    “I know, but it’s still a little unnerving.” Rheyna gathered up all the documents and photos. “I think I’ve seen enough,” she said and walked over to the fireplace. She knelt down on one knee, slid open the screen and tossed all the items into the fire. It didn’t take long for the dancing flames to turn the papers into a pile of ashes. She thought about her parents and decided to give them a call before she left on her flight.
    “I can’t believe how late it is,” Laura said as the cuckoo bird above the mantle signaled that it was midnight.
    Rheyna closed the fire screen and turned to look at her. “I know, and I still have to pack.”  
    Laura stood and brushed off her slacks. “And I have to go home and break the news to Stacie. I have a feeling she’s not going to be too happy with me.”
    “If I know Stacie, she’ll be up waiting for you and she’ll handle it just fine,” Rheyna said as she walked Laura to the door. “Thank you, and be safe driving home,” she said, leaning forward to hug Laura.  
    “You’re welcome, and I will. You have a safe flight and I’ll talk to you sometime tomorrow night.”
    Rheyna watched her back out of the driveway. She stood there looking out the window for a good fifteen minutes before heading upstairs. Her thoughts turned to Anthony Castrucci, and she unconsciously shivered. She pushed the uneasy feeling out of her mind, thinking she would try to get a couple hours’ sleep before packing her clothes.

    ###

    Laura locked the door and turned off the lamp on the end table. She tiptoed down the hall to the bedroom. She tossed her coat across the back of a chair and unbuttoned her blouse.
    “Hey, baby, I was hoping you’d still be up.”  
    Stacie sat up and stretched her arms over her head. She tried to stifle a yawn. “You know I have trouble sleeping without you next to me.”
    Laura pulled a t-shirt over her head and hopped on the bed beside her. “About that—you may have to get used to it for awhile.”
    Stacie frowned. “You have a new assignment, don’t you?”
    Laura nodded. “I leave tomorrow afternoon.”
    “How long will you be gone?”
    “I’m not sure. It could be