Rizzoli and Isles belongs to Tess Gerritsen and Janet Tamaro.

Chapter 1

Boston, MA

It was raining, and she had grown to truly hate the rain! To her it felt as if she was lost all over again, not that she had yet been found, but the bits and pieces she was able to recover and assimilate meant something was better than nothing. It was much better than the nothing she had to claim the first time she distinctly remembered the rain, wandering in it drenched, disheartened and disoriented. Now she at least had a first name, Tess. And she was a writer.

Tess opened the door to the coffeehouse where she knew other writers gathered, hoping not only for some burst of inspiration but also the chance to run across someone who might recognize her and help put the missing pieces of her life back together. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light of the interior, she looked for a place to sit and peruse the crowd. Nothing could have prepared her for what she would find.

"Hey, Jimmy!" a woman's voice rose above the din. "Got any Camera Obscura on that jukebox?"

The barista, a tall white-haired man, turned around and grinned at the woman sitting with her back to Tess.

"You know I do," he answered in a Scottish brogue. "Let me guess, Sasha. It's either 'Lloyd' or 'James'."

"James," Sasha said decidedly, "in honor of my favorite coffeehouse owner and record dealer in the entire world!"

Jimmy nodded and headed to the jukebox, an authentic reproduction of those of the 1950's era. Before he could reach it, he turned and looked directly at Tess. He narrowed his eyes as an astonished expression came over his features. "Sasha, I think you forgot to tell me you had a sister in town. Especially an identical twin kind of relation!"

Sasha turned around and stared at Tess with a gasp! It was as if she were looking into a mirror, except she wasn't drenched and the person standing before her was. . . They both had long, caramel hair with highlighted parts around the face and large hazel eyes. Tess stared back, not knowing what to say. Could this be a clue to her identity? Surely, this could not be a coincidence!

Sasha found her voice first. "Do you want to sit down? I mean, who knows what to say in a time like this?"

Tess nodded mutely, gripping her notebook with a white-knuckled grasp. Even Jimmy was speechless!

"I'm Tess," she said after a moment.

Sasha introduced herself and Jimmy. No one knew really what to say.

"This is going to sound strange," Tess said as she began to focus on why she had come to the coffeehouse in the first place, "but I need some help finding out who I really am!"

Neither Sasha nor Jimmy said anything. Tess averted her gaze. They were probably doing their best to hold back laughter. What a stupid thing to say. Jimmy looked ready to call the cops and haul her off. But Tess ignored the urge to bolt for the door, instead sitting down in the chair Sasha offered.

"I'm not crazy," she blurted, "This isn't some ploy." She toyed with the springs on her notebook. "But judging from the looks on your faces, I-" She shook her head, her cheeks burning. Now that she was in the air conditioning, the fact that she was still wet caused her to tremble. Okay, nerves could've been a factor, too. "I should go. This was a stupid idea." She started to get up, but a hand grabbed her arm.

"You're staying right here." Sasha's tone was abrupt but her eyes held a gentleness Tess had not seen in the two years she'd been on the go.

Tess slowly sat back down and Sasha released her hold. "Thank you," she whispered but couldn't bring herself to look Sasha in the eye. "This is the first place I've felt at home. Familiar."

Sasha slid a mug of coffee across the counter and ran around to the chair she occupied. "Where else have you been?"

Tess took a sip of the coffee and set the mug down. "All over. Every state, practically." She jabbed a finger at her notebook. "I was in Georgia when I came to. From what I'm not sure, but I've been trying to piece my life together ever since. I'm tired of moving around, doing odd jobs." She shook her head. Shut it, Tess. This woman doesn't want to hear you whine.

"Listen," Sasha said after a beat, "I'm pretty in the know about a lot of things but this-us-I'm just as shocked as you are."

Tess let out a breath of relief. "Good. That makes me feel a little better." She finally met Sasha's gaze. "I'm not usually this open. I'm usually the one in the corner alone with my notebook."

Sasha offered a kind smile. "Maybe it's the twin thing. I can't explain it either. And it's going to bug me."

Tess let a laugh escape. "Guess we were both blessed with curious minds. I love learning everything I can-about anything. Especially since-" She stared into her coffee. "So, you don't recognize me? Other than-you know-"

Sasha shook her head and Tess sagged in defeat. "But that doesn't mean you have to leave." She smiled in a way that Tess had to smile back. "How long have you been here?"

"A week." She looked away. The place was pretty much empty. She took a breath. "Do you know anyone hiring?" She'd had enough of the dingy motel room. "Motel rooms are less than desirable." She lowered her gaze. Way to go, Tess. Now they'll think you're here for charity. "N-never mind. I'm sorry. I'll just go." She got off the stool again, tossing a dollar on the counter. "I'm sorry, it's all I have." She backed to the door. She had to get out of here before she made an even bigger fool of herself.