It was a warm Saturday afternoon.
Annie was lounging on the living room sofa, doing some light reading. The story that she was reading was really funny. And it was only her second time reading that book. She was glad that she had picked it up at the bookstore.
At the bookstore... with Sabine. Why had her friend a photo too? Was she truly afraid of Annie as Saki was? Was that photo also a charm of protection against Annie?
Girls these days were so superstitious.
Big Sis was seated on one of the other comfort chairs, reading an entertainment magazine. The usual. She seemed comfortable, not weirding out or fidgeting anxiously about being alone in the house with Annie. Mother and Father had gone grocery shopping and Second Sis was out with friends.
Perhaps Big Sis had gotten over whatever it was that made her feel uncomfortable around Annie. Or perhaps she had simply buried her fears deep down. Whatever it was, Annie was glad that things were going well with her sister.
The doorbell rang, interrupting her thoughts. Big Sis got up to answer the door. Detective Larioza had phoned suddenly to say that she was coming, which was why the sisters were waiting in the living room.
What had she come for? It could not be about Keith McDowell and his interview, could it? Could he have contacted the detective?
Detective Larioza looked as tired as ever when she settled herself in the living room chair. She gratefully accepted Marie's offer of a drink. "Glad to see you in good health," she said to Annie as she pulled out her notepad.
"Thanks," Annie said, "Any progress on catching the robber?"
"We're working on it," Detective Larioza replied evasively. She watched as Marie left the room. "I came to ask about a certain photo recently circulated in your school. Is it okay to talk about it here or would you rather we discuss it alone?"
Annie glanced at the doorway through which Big Sis had left. "It's something I should have told Big Sis. We can talk about it here."
What was the police's interest in the photos? If it were another detective, Annie would not be so concerned. But Detective Larioza's presence suggested that it was related to her getting robbed.
"Very well, then." The middle-aged woman opened her notepad and pulled out a pen. She waited until Marie returned with a glass of juice. The detective accepted the drink and took a sip.
The elder sister settled on one of the other seats. "So, what is this visit about?" she asked the detective.
"Recently..." After she received a nod of assurance from Annie, Detective Larioza continued, "... a photo of your sister was circulated around in her school. A nude photo."
Marie's eyes went wide and she covered her mouth with a hand. She turned to Annie. "Is this true?"
Annie nodded. "Yes."
"How was such a photo taken?" Big Sis asked.
"That's what I'm here to find out," the detective said. She turned to Annie. "Have you ever had a nude photo of yourself taken?"
"No, of course not," Annie denied firmly.
Detective Larioza read the next question off her notepad. "Ms Billings, are you sure that was a photo of you?"
"The features were very much like mine," Annie answered, "My friends who had them thought it was me."
"Who were these friends?"
Annie only stared blankly. Saki and Sabine had those photos because they were afraid of her. They could get in trouble if she told their names.
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