Sabrina's Mask

Sabrina Vance didn't look like a kidnapper. She looked like a woman who bought her salads in compostable containers and donated to NPR. She sat at a corner table in the bistro, her posture impeccable, scrolling through her phone with a manicured thumb.

Iris watched her from the parking lot. She had parked the Honda around the corner and walked, not wanting to spook the prey. The bag of pills—the aspirin and the sedatives—sat heavy in her purse.

She took a breath, smoothed her hair, and walked in.

"Sabrina," she said, sliding into the booth opposite her cousin.

Sabrina jumped, her phone clattering to the table. "Jesus, Iris! You scared me."

"Sorry," Iris said, her voice tight. "I was in the neighborhood. Thought we could finish our chat."

"I told you on the phone," Sabrina said, reaching for her purse. "I'm busy. And frankly, you're sounding a little unhinged."

"Am I?" Iris leaned forward. "How's your dad?"

"He's fine. Busy."

"Is he still in town? Or did he go to Europe again?"

Sabrina frowned. "He hasn't been to Europe in months. Why?"

"Just checking the schedule," Iris said. "I know he likes to travel. Especially in July."

Sabrina's face went carefully blank. "He goes to conferences. Look, Iris, if you need money, just ask him. Don't play these weird games."

"I don't need money," Iris lied. "I need to know about Elias."

"Stop it," Sabrina hissed, looking around the crowded restaurant. "He's gone. He's happy. Let him be."

"Is he?" Iris asked. "Because I found something interesting today. A pickup log at Mercer Apothecary."

Sabrina went still. Her hand, which had been reaching for her water glass, froze in mid-air.

"Clonazepam," Iris said. "Risperidone. Heavy stuff for a spiritual journey."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I saw your signature, Sabrina. 'S. Vance.' July 15, 2025. August 10, 2023. Every time Julian is out of town, you pick up the drugs."

"That's... that's for Grandma," Sabrina stammered. "She gets anxious."

"Grandma is in a facility. They handle her meds. These prescriptions are under Elias's name."

Sabrina stood up, grabbing her bag. "You're crazy. I'm leaving."

"Sit down," Iris said, her voice low and hard. "Or I start screaming about kidnapping right here in the middle of the lunch rush."

Sabrina hesitated. She looked at the door, then at the people eating their kale salads. She sat down.

"It's not what you think," she whispered, tears pooling in her eyes. "He's sick, Iris. Really sick. Dad says if he stops taking the meds, he gets violent. He hurts people."

"So you drug him?"

"We keep him safe! He can't be in a hospital. They'd lock him up forever. Here, he's home. He's with family."

"He's in a brick box in the basement, Sabrina. That's not family. That's a dungeon."

"It's better than prison!" Sabrina cried, her voice cracking. "Dad saved him. After the girl... after what happened... Dad saved his life."

"Julian lied to you," Iris said. "Elias didn't kill that girl. Julian did."

Sabrina flinched as if slapped. "That's a lie. My father is a good man."

"Is he? Or is he just rich?"

Sabrina glared at her, but the fear behind her eyes was real. She opened her purse to get a tissue.

Inside, nestled between her wallet and a pack of gum, was a white paper bag. The top was folded over, stapled shut.

Iris saw the pharmacy bag in Sabrina's purse. The logo was visible.