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Jillian Berg is a newly published author who combines her passion for writing with her life experiences in southern Louisiana law enforcement. Although most of her stories are not based on true cases, they are "true to life." Her creativity is inspired by her mentor, friend, and soul mate who has always encouraged and supported her work. Without him, her short stories may have remained as nothing more than a lost file on her lap top.

Mistaken Identity by Jillian Berg

"What was that?" I jerked from his arms and looked out into the darkness.

"Paranoia," he whispered drawing me back into the embrace.

I smiled and leaned into him pressing my lips to his. His strong but sensitive hands felt their way around my body with such passion. He began to unbutton my shirt as I tugged on his belt buckle in an eager frustration. A rustle outside the truck made me jump upright.

"There’s something out there!" I said in a low but serious tone.

He huffed in obvious annoyance, but shot me a slight smile as he shook his head and opened the door. I wanted it just as much, but I knew something was amiss.

I grabbed his hand and pleaded, "Take your pistol. Who knows what's out there."

"I don't need it—besides it's nothing. I'm just looking around to ease your mind."

"Thanks, baby," I said as he disappeared into the darkness.

We had parked in a cane field underneath an ancient oak tree. The cane was high and we were virtually undetectable. He had grown up in this town and knew all of the spots where we could lose ourselves in each other without having to worry about being caught….

***

I looked down and checked my phone for the tenth time. I dialed his number again, but there was no answer, and his failure to set up voicemail made it impossible for me to leave a message—not that it would matter. I hadn't heard from him since last night, which was unusual. He called every morning at 7:40 AM. It was now an hour past, and I had made it to my office without hearing his comforting voice wishing me a good morning. Letting out a sigh of slight despair, I gathered my things and stepped out of my car.

I sat staring at my computer screen for nearly an hour. I couldn't shake the empty feeling. I had typed barely a sentence on my cover sheet when I heard the dispatcher advise all units that shots were fired on Baker Street. My heart raced….

"Guys, we gotta roll!" my lieutenant shouted.

We piled into our squad cars. Lights and sirens filled the streets as civilian vehicles moved aside for us. I reached into my backseat and grabbed my vest, then chambered a round in my sidearm. Minutes later we arrived at the house and were met by a sea of blue. Ten deputies stumbled over one another with morbid curiosity. The scene was chaotic, but it appeared the suspect had been apprehended. A tiny woman sat in the rear of the squad car, and, despite her disheveled appearance, she was strikingly beautiful.

My partner looked at me and asked, "You really want to go in?"

"It's my job, right?"

I approached the doorway, but was stopped by the captain.

"Jamie. Um, your sister…well, she was shot several times. She died before we got here."

I felt by knees buckle, and as I swayed my partner grabbed my arms and eased me to the ground.

My twin sister, Julie, had recently moved here after my insistence. She had lived in New York for the past two years in efforts to gain contacts in the photography industry. She had done well in the business, but had fallen victim to several muggings…she was so trusting. Julie and I looked a lot alike, but were not identical…although those who didn't know us thought we were.

"Was it her?" I asked as my head nodded in the direction of the handcuffed blonde sitting poised in the marked unit.

"Yep. She was on the steps when we arrived. The gun was by her side, her hands and clothes still bloody. Never denied it."

"Can I talk to her?"

"Not sure if that's a good idea."

"I just want to know why."

"That's easy…Julie was sleeping with her husband."

"WHAT? Who is her husband?"

"Brady Bergeron. He's an investigator with the Attorney General."

My head began to spin and I soon understood. It was me she wanted, not Julie. The events of the previous night unraveled and formed a clear picture in my head.

"She wanted me…." I mumbled to myself as I stared at the ground in disbelief.

"Huh?"

"Nothing…." I shook my head as if to erase the words.

I ran inside and soon realized why I had been shielded from this gory bloodbath. Julie lay on the floor in the kitchen wearing nothing more than a once-transparent negligee. The crimson puddle surrounded her. I had leaned down to say goodbye when I saw him. I ran through the hallway and into the bedroom directly across from the kitchen.

There I found Brady on his belly…he was naked in my sister's bed. There had been no mistake.

THE END