AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I have a list of women who gave birth in the area the week your birth certificate claims is your birthday.”
My irritation is forgotten and I quirk a brow. “What do you mean, claims?”
“Well, the search of the city records came up with nothing. Susan Kendicott is an alias and that the document is a forgery. I wouldn’t assume anything on there is true.”
My stomach clenches. I believe her. I’ve had this terrible gnawing in my gut since my DNA results came back. Something is off. But, a forgery.? Who am I? Who was he? Besides Loretta, I haven’t met anyone who knows him or remembers him. How could he die and not tell me anything? How I am going to tell Penn, Jack, and Nadia?
“Listen, I know this is a lot and I’m not unfeeling, but I don’t let emotions cloud my vision when I’m digging for the truth. This town is full of secrets. I did my thesis on cold case missing persons in this county, and nothing would shock me.” Her eyes light up, even though her tone is somber.
“Was that morbid curiosity?”
“Personal crusade. My mother was an only child, she was orphaned at the age of ten and died when I was only thirteen. And every so often, my dad will drop a bomb that’s the exact opposite of a story she told me about her life. She’s my first and coldest case. Now, I make a living trying to put other people’s puzzles together, and hope that one day, I’ll be able to do the same for myself.”
Her straightforward recitation and her steady gaze gives me hope that one day, I won’t feel so shellshocked by the lies my father told me. “Wow, well thank you for agreeing to help me. Beth says you’re the best.”
She shrugs off the praise and reaches into her bag for another stack of papers. “Well, let’s hope adultery and a clerical error are the worst things we find when I dig into this some more. I’m going to cross reference your DNA sample with a few databases I have access to.”
“Sounds good. And what can I do?”
“I want you to message the guy on 23 and me to offer a reward if they’ll talk. Hopefully he’ll bite. Before we go any further, I need you to sign this disclaimer.” She slides a document over to me.
I read it aloud.
“I indemnify Dina Lu from any and all financial, emotional, social and psychological harm the results of her investigation could lead to. I seek this information for legitimate and personal reasons, and I am wholly responsible for the costs associated with obtaining it.”
I glance up at her. “This feels like signing my life away.”
“Well, you’re asking me to give you information that could disrupt your life in ways you can’t foresee. I just want you to be sure you understand what you’re asking me to do.
“I do understand. I’m not afraid”
I sign the paper over to her and she slips it into file folder and places it into her bag. She makes a few notes in her notepad and then slams it shut.
“Do you want anything to drink?” I ask, belatedly.
She shakes her head. “The last time I talked to Beth, you were still just coming over to play the piano. Today, she told me she hasn’t seen you in days. So, I take it you still haven’t boned?”
I choke on nothing and cough so hard our surly teenage server actually remembers we’re still here and drops a glass of water on the table.
“I take that as a no,” she says when I catch my breath.
“You’re perceptive.”
She shakes her head. “That’s lame. I mean, why not? She’s really into you.”
“Uh…she’s engaged to Duke.”
“So what?” She contorts her face and sticks her tongue out in disgust.
“So, I could never share her. And she’s with him.” I stare unseeingly at the tabletop and try not to throw up.
“How do you feel about her?” She asks after a minute.
It’s an easy question to answer. I’m mad at her, but there’s no changing how I feel. “I love her.”
She looks doubtful. ”Really?”
I scowl and say, “I didn’t ask for your opinion.”
