Echoes In The Mist by Andrea Kane

of the despondent, lethargic woman who had lost all willto live. Had Vanessa truly been that devastated? Over a man? Ariana pressed her lips together, contemplating the Trenton she knew: hisanger and vengeance, his potential for ruthless brutality. Then, with anadamancy she never knew she possessed, she shook her head in definitiverepudiation. "No. It makes no sense." Ignoring Baxter's stricken expression,she pressed on, purposefully avoiding any mention of Trenton. "Vanessa was anindependent, self-assured woman." "Perhaps she appeared that way to a twelve-year-old." For a second, Arianafaltered. Could her memories of her sister be merely the misconceptions ofyouth, clouded further by the passage of time? As Ariana hesitated, Theresa's words crystallized in her mind, unbidden yetstrangely enlightening. I don't believe love was ever the issue... You recallyour sister-how can you not be sure of that? "No, Baxter." With renewed strength, Ariana stood her ground. "One man'srejection would not be enough to incite Vanessa to take her own life." "Then he took it for her." Ariana inhaled sharply. It wasn't the first time Baxter had uttered thosewords aloud, but it was the first time they had cut through her like a knife."Why would he?" "He's a vicious animal... that's why." "That's an opinion, not a reason," Ariana refuted, trying to still her body'sinvoluntary trembling. "What proof do you have?" "Proof?" Now Baxter's anger was directed at Ariana. "If I had actual proof,the bloody m