“Including little sisters?”

“You’ve lost weight, but otherwise you look to be in great shape.”

“Worked out every day. Only thing that kept me going.”

Beth looked at her strangely. It took Mace a few moments to interpret. “I’m clean, Beth. I was clean when I went in and I didn’t touch anything while I was in there, although let me tell you there were more drugs in that place than at Pfizer’s world headquarters. I exchanged meth for endorphins. I’ll take a pee test if you want.”

“I don’t, but your probation officer will as a post-release condition.”

Mace took a deep breath. She’d forgotten that she was now officially on probation for a full year because of some complicating factors in her sentencing. If she screwed up they could send her right back for a lot longer than twenty-four months.

“I know the guy. He’s okay. Plays fair. Your first meeting is next week.”

“I thought it would be sooner than that.”

“It usually is, but I told him you’d be staying with me.”

Mace stared fixedly at her sister. “Any news on who set me up?’

“Let’s talk about it later. But I’ve got some ideas.”

There was something in her voice that made Mace decide not to argue. “I’m starving, but can I grab a shower first? Two minutes a day of cold drizzle over two years gets to you.”

“Towels, soap, and shampoo are all set upstairs. I’ve got the rest of your clothes in the guest bedroom.”

Thirty minutes later the two sisters sat down in the large, airy kitchen to scrambled eggs, coffee, bacon, and toast that Beth had prepared. The chief had changed into jeans and a sweatshirt with “ FBI Academy ” stenciled on the front. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she was barefoot. Mace had on a white long-sleeved shirt and a pair of corduroy pants she’d last worn over two years ago. Snug before, they now rode low on her narrow hips.

“You’re going to need new things,” said her sister. “What are you now, about one-fifteen?