The Wrong Sister

When Dr. Lacayo returned to see me the next day, I told her about Lisa’s visit. “I don’t understand. Things started off so well with us. How did it come to this?” The Guatemalan doctor smiled sadly at me. “Sometimes the people we look up to and trust the most have serious issues they manage to hide very well in the beginning.” I sniffled. “The most important thing is not to blame yourself. You couldn’t have known, and none of this is your fault.” “I don’t blame myself. I’m just so, so hurt and angry.” “Most anyone would be.” “What was it about her that you didn’t have time to tell me the other day?” “Well,” the doctor glanced toward the door, “this is still between you and me, right?” “Right.” Dr. Lacayo hesitated a moment longer, then said, “She’s been suspected of corruption.” I gave a humorless laugh. “This doesn’t surprise me.” “There’s actually a group of law enforcement officials that have been under investigation, and supposedly she’s part of that group, from what I was told. I can’t reveal who the source is, only what they told me.” “What is she doing, stealing money from drug busts or something?” “Worse. She’s possibly involved in a human trafficking ring.” My eyes widened, and the doctor noticed. “Oh, my God.” “What? Do you know something about it?” “No, but the other day she was threatening to sell me so she could get a new truck with the money.” “Oh, dear Lord.” “Doc, I’m in big trouble here. I mean, I’m really, really screwed. How the hell do I escape a deranged cop with no resources?” The doctor looked thoughtful for a moment. “Well, I know someone who’s good with computers.” “What do you mean? I’m good with computers.” “Yeah, but you don’t work in the right department. A friend of mine does, though.” “How can they help?” “Well, I don’t want to say anything just yet. Let me talk to them first.” “I really hope someone can help because I don’t see how I could escape from here and avoid having to go back to her. If I went back, there would be no way to guarantee that I would live long enough to get away again. Seriously, I can’t go back there. I just can’t. The only thing she has that I want is my pet rat, and while it breaks my heart to leave him behind—assuming she still has him as she says—I don’t have any other choice.” “I understand, but again…” “I know; between you and me. Trust me, Doc, my mouth is shut.” She smiled at me. “Okay, I’ll get going now and contact the person I have in mind.” “Thank you so much, Doc. I really appreciate all you’re doing to help save me.” “Hang in there, and I’ll see you tomorrow, Miss Shaylin.” I watched her tall, slender form as she left the room in her very businesslike cream silk blouse, gray wool jacket, and matching skirt. She wore black heels, only an inch or two high. Her dark, straight, shoulder-length hair was neatly combed, bangs meeting her eyebrows. She had broad shoulders and narrow hips. I didn’t consider her nearly as good-looking as Lisa, but I could see that, unlike Lisa, she would attract more men than women with her femininity. She didn’t have the natural beauty Lisa possessed, and she definitely needed makeup that the dangerous detective didn’t. I didn’t give a shit what the doctor looked like, though. If she could help me, she could look like the most freakishly hideous creature on earth. But then something hit me. How did I know I could trust her any more than I could trust Lisa?