Case Reopened

Closed Doors (Part 2)

Bam! You have a second part to Rear Window! You're cliff hanger has come to the end of it's hanging! If you're blind to title then I'll tell you, you have to read the first part before reading this part.

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"You're...you're my stepsister," Bridgette said.

Carter wanted to deny it but staring up at her step-sister's wide, hurt eyes she found all words fled from her. How could she lie to someone simply wanting the truth? But how could she tell her the truth knowing she'd leave eventually?

"Bridgette, sweetie, it's..." their mother started but looked from Carter to Bridgette then back, her fingers knotted.

Bridgette hurried down the stairs, placing herself between Carter and her mother. "Is she my step-sister? Have you both been lying to me?"

Before either could speak, Mason stepped in. "Everyone into the kitchen, we are going to talk about this there. Darrell, put on tea or something that people usually drink during family issues. No one speaks before the tea is ready."

Everyone remained frozen for a moment longer then Darrell headed towards the kitchen with his family in tow. Carter started to follow but Mason took her arm, holding her back.

"Not you," he said. "You are going to change and then talk."

"What does what I'm wearing have to do with anything?"

"You're in a dress and heels, something you've been in for the past few hours. It's not going to help your mood. You need a clear head for this. Go change."

Just to prove to Mason she could be levelheaded despite the pain in her feet he somehow knew about, Carter wanted to go straight to the kitchen. But she knew for everyone's sake it was better if she wasn't already on a bit of an edge.

"You're annoying," Carter said.

"Like I said, I could pass a test on you anywhere, anytime."

As Carter ascended the stairs, she tried to straighten out her thoughts. Whatever happened in that kitchen, at the end the most important thing was the mission succeeding. Though she felt cold at the thought, they risked more than hurt feelings if their presence as FBI agents were discovered.

For Bridgette's and everyone's safety, Carter needed to find a way to handle the situation that would leave them all in an even state that they could be in for the remainder of their time there.

With that thought in mind, Carter changed, not into something comfortable, but a pair of slacks and a black shirt she tucked in. When she walked into the kitchen, she was the FBI agent who would smooth the situation over but with a clear objective in her mind.

She met Mason's gaze and he nodded once. He knew what she'd realized and approved. Knowing she had him to back her up, Carter felt better. She didn't need her partner arguing with her as she dealt with the family.

Bracing herself for what was to come, Carter faced the family where they all sat at the table with mugs in their hands. Though there was an open chair for her, Carter didn't take it.

"Bridgette," she said. "Yes, I am your step-sister. I instructed Erica not to tell you. This decision is on me, not her. If you want to be angry, be angry at me."

Even as she spoke, a small part of Carter wondered at how she was willingly directing anger away from her mother. But she knew this decision rested on her alone and therefore this was one place where her mother wasn't to be blamed.

"I got put on this surveillance operation because my mother lived across the street. Because of this fact, the cover of a daughter visiting her mother was the safest. That is the reason I am here."