Chapter 11: The Second Test
Daniel called at eight the next morning.
I answered before the second ring.
“Maya, I have an update. The laboratory has located part of the archived file. The original report is incomplete, but it confirms that a second genetic comparison was requested by Elizabeth.””
“What did it show?””
“I can't responsibly tell you the final result yet. The surviving record references three individuals, not two.””
I sat up in bed.
“Three?””
“Yes. You, David Carter, and another person whose identity is not listed in the surviving summary.””
Tasha was already awake. She mouthed the word who? at me.
“Can you identify the third person?””
“Not from the copy I have. The laboratory is searching its older records. It may take time.””
I swallowed.
“Why would Elizabeth request a comparison involving three people?””
“That is one of the questions we're trying to answer.””
After the call, Tasha and I went downstairs.
Marcus was at the kitchen table, reading a newspaper. My mother stood at the counter making coffee.
He looked up as we entered.
“Did Daniel call?””
I froze.
“How do you know?””
“Because he's been making calls about this family for days.””
“Who told you?””
Marcus folded the newspaper.
“I have ways of finding out what affects my household.””
Tasha placed the blue folder on the table.
“Then you should know the bank has opened a formal dispute concerning the trust transaction.””
His face hardened.
“You've gone ahead with that?””
“Yes.””
“You could have discussed it with me.””
“I did. You told me you were going to replace the money.””
“And I will.””
“When?””
“I'm working on it.””
Tasha pulled out a chair.
“You keep promising that. The bank needs records, not promises.””
Marcus looked toward me.
“And you? Are you going to let Daniel fill your head with nonsense?””
I held his gaze.
“I'm going to find out the truth.””
He shook his head.
“You're too young to understand the damage this can cause.””
“Then help me understand.””
He said nothing.
My mother placed a cup of coffee on the counter with trembling hands.
Marcus rose.
“I'm going to work.””
Tasha stood too.
“Before you leave, I want the name of the bank where you kept the original estate documents.””
He stared at her.
“I don't know what you're talking about.””
“The safe-deposit box Mom mentioned.””
“Your mother was confused.””
“No. She was frightened. There's a difference.””
Marcus picked up his keys.
“You have no proof that I kept anything in a safe-deposit box.””
“Then tell us which bank you used.””
He walked toward the door.
Tasha called after him.
“If the money was used properly, why are you afraid to show us the records?””
He stopped but didn't turn around.
“Because some things cannot be undone.””
Then he left.
The front door closed behind him.
I looked at Tasha.
“What do you think he meant?””
She shook her head.
“I think he wants us to spend the rest of our lives guessing.””
We returned to Daniel's office that afternoon.
He had arranged for us to review the available records in person. My mother came too, although she barely spoke during the drive.
Daniel laid out the documents in chronological order.
The first was a copy of the original paternity report. Several details were missing, but the surviving page contained a reference number and a date.
The second was a letter from Elizabeth requesting a new comparison because she believed the initial test had been improperly represented.
The third was a handwritten note from the laboratory administrator.
Daniel read it aloud.
The second request was received and processed under special instructions. Results were not delivered to the requesting party through the standard channel.
“Special instructions from whom?”” I asked.
“The record doesn't say.””
“Who received the results?””
“That's still being investigated.””
Tasha leaned forward.
“Could someone have changed the original report?””
Daniel nodded cautiously.
“It's possible for records to be mishandled, but we cannot conclude that happened here without evidence. We have inconsistencies that need to be investigated.””
My mother suddenly spoke.
“Marcus collected the first report.””
Daniel looked at her.
“Are you certain?””
“Yes. He told me he had spoken directly with the laboratory. He brought the paperwork home in an envelope.””
“Did you see the envelope?””
“I saw him open it. The report said David was excluded as Maya's biological father.””
I looked at her.
“And you never questioned it?””
“I questioned it when Elizabeth said something was wrong.””
“What did she tell you?””
“She said the laboratory had no record of issuing the version Marcus showed us. She believed someone had altered or misrepresented the results.””
Daniel wrote down the statement.
“Did Elizabeth explain how she knew?””
“She said she had spoken with the administrator herself.””
I felt my heart pounding.
“Then why didn't she take it to the police?””
My mother looked at the table.
“She intended to.””
Tasha went pale.
“When?””
“The week she died.””
The room fell silent.
Daniel folded his hands.
“Did she tell you whom she intended to contact?””
“No.””
“Did she leave any notes about the planned report?””
“I don't know.””
Tasha pressed both hands against her forehead.
“My mother knew someone had lied about Maya's father. She knew someone had mishandled the trust. And she died before she could explain any of it.””
Daniel's expression softened.
“I understand why you see a connection. But we need to be careful. The fact that these events occurred around the same period does not establish that one caused another.””
Tasha nodded, though I could tell she hated the uncertainty.
Daniel turned to me.
“There is another detail. Elizabeth's request referred to an additional genetic comparison involving a third individual. The laboratory's internal code suggests that this person was not simply another possible father.””
“What does that mean?””
“It could indicate a comparison intended to establish a family relationship or clarify a discrepancy in the records. The surviving page doesn't identify the purpose conclusively.””
My mother began shaking.
Daniel noticed.
“Mrs. Johnson, do you know who the third person might have been?””
She pressed a tissue to her lips.
“No.””
It was the first time I had heard her answer a question without looking at Marcus first.
I wanted to believe her.
I also wanted to know why she seemed so frightened by the possibility.
Daniel gave us copies of the records and explained that the laboratory was continuing its search. He advised us not to make public accusations while the evidence remained incomplete.
On the drive home, Tasha stared out the window.
“I used to think my mother left money because she wanted me to be independent.””
“She did want that,” I said.
“But maybe she was protecting something else.””
I looked down at the photograph of David.
“Maybe she was protecting both of us.””
When we arrived home, my mother went straight to her bedroom.
Tasha and I stayed in the living room, sorting the copies Daniel had given us.
An envelope slipped from between two pages.
It was addressed to Nia Johnson in Elizabeth's handwriting.
The postmark was dated six days before Elizabeth died.
I opened it carefully.
Inside was a single page.
Dear Nia,
I have confirmed that the first report cannot be trusted. The second comparison should settle the matter, but I am worried about the third name on the request.
If anything happens before I can speak to you again, please remember that the girls are not responsible for what we adults have done.
The letter ended there.
No explanation.
No signature beyond Elizabeth's name.
Tasha read it twice.
“Who was the third name?””
“I don't know.””
She turned the page over, searching for anything else.
There was a faint impression of writing from another sheet that had once rested against it.
Tasha tilted the paper beneath the living room lamp.
A few words became visible.
...same biological line...
Beneath them, another phrase appeared.
...not the father...
My pulse quickened.
“What does that mean?””
Tasha shook her head.
“Maybe the third person wasn't another possible father.””
I stared at the paper.
“Maybe it was someone related to both of us.””
Before she could answer, my mother emerged from the hallway.
She stopped when she saw the letter.
For several seconds, she simply stared at it.
Then she whispered, “Where did you get that?””
“It was in the folder.””
Nia crossed the room and took the letter with trembling hands.
“I thought Marcus had destroyed this.””
My throat tightened.
“You've seen it before?””
She nodded.
“Elizabeth sent it to me before she died.””
“Then tell us what the third name means.””
My mother closed her eyes.
“I can't.””
Tasha stood.
“You can. You're choosing not to.””
Nia looked at her, and something in her expression finally broke.
“I think the third person may be Marcus.””
I stared at her.
“What?””
She swallowed.
“Elizabeth once told me that Marcus had been tested years before. She said there was a family connection she couldn't explain.””
Tasha shook her head.
“What kind of connection?””
“I don't know.””
“Was he related to David?””
My mother didn't answer.
Instead, she looked at me.
“There's something else you need to know about the night you were born.””
My hands went cold.
“What?””
Nia began to cry.
“David didn't leave the hospital alone.””
May you like
She looked toward the hallway, then back at us.
“Marcus was there too.””
