Chapter 9: The DNA That Changed Everything
“Michael, get here now.””
Daniel's voice was barely recognizable.
It was 6:20 the following morning.
He had spent the night sitting Everything
“Michael, get here now.””
Daniel's voice was barely recognizable.
It was 6:20 the following morning.
He had spent the night sitting beside Sophie's crib, holding the tiny identification bracelet and wondering whether the child sleeping in front of him was the same baby he had brought home fifteen months earlier.
Michael beside Sophie's crib, holding the tiny identification bracelet and wondering whether the child sleeping in front of him was the same baby he had brought home fifteen months earlier.
Michael arrived twenty minutes later.
Daniel handed him the bracelet.
Michael examined both sides.
“Where did you find this?””
“Beside Sophie's crib.””
“Are you certain arrived twenty minutes later.
Daniel handed him the bracelet.
Michael examined both sides.
“Where did you find this?””
“Beside Sophie's crib.””
“Are you certain it wasn't there before?””
“Ethan says Vanessa brought something into the nursery three months ago. This might be what she left.””
Michael placed it wasn't there before?””
“Ethan says Vanessa brought something into the nursery three months ago. This might be what she left.””
Michael placed the bracelet in a clear evidence bag.
“Don't touch it again. We'll have it examined.””
Daniel looked at him.
“I want DNA the bracelet in a clear evidence bag.
“Don't touch it again. We'll have it examined.””
Daniel looked at him.
“I want DNA tests.””
“That's already being arranged.””
“Not just mine and Sophie's. I want Ethan tested too. I want to know exactly who these tests.””
“That's already being arranged.””
“Not just mine and Sophie's. I want Ethan tested too. I want to know exactly who these children are.””
Michael nodded.
“I understand.””
Daniel glanced toward the crib.
“But listen carefully. I don't care what those results say. Sophie children are.””
Michael nodded.
“I understand.””
Daniel glanced toward the crib.
“But listen carefully. I don't care what those results say. Sophie stays my daughter.””
Michael placed a hand on his shoulder.
“I know.””
Later that morning, Daniel took Sophie and Ethan to a private medical laboratory stays my daughter.””
Michael placed a hand on his shoulder.
“I know.””
Later that morning, Daniel took Sophie and Ethan to a private medical laboratory.
The tests were handled independently, with proper identification and consent documentation.
A technician collected the samples while Daniel held Sophie.
.
The tests were handled independently, with proper identification and consent documentation.
A technician collected the samples while Daniel held Sophie.
She grabbed his finger and babbled happily.
“Daddy,” she said.
Daniel smiled.
“That's right, sweetheart.””
Ethan stoodShe grabbed his finger and babbled happily.
“Daddy,” she said.
Daniel smiled.
“That's right, sweetheart.””
Ethan stood beside him.
“Are they going to find out who Sophie is?””
“They're going to help us understand what happened.””
“Will she still be my sister?””
Daniel crouched.
beside him.
“Are they going to find out who Sophie is?””
“They're going to help us understand what happened.””
“Will she still be my sister?””
Daniel crouched.
“Always.””
Ethan nodded.
Then he kissed Sophie on the forehead.
“See? I told you.””
The little girl laughed.
For a few seconds, Daniel forgot“Always.””
Ethan nodded.
Then he kissed Sophie on the forehead.
“See? I told you.””
The little girl laughed.
For a few seconds, Daniel forgot about the documents, the missing records, and the woman who had turned his home into a place of fear.
Then his phone rang.
Michael.
“Daniel, the hospital has released about the documents, the missing records, and the woman who had turned his home into a place of fear.
Then his phone rang.
Michael.
“Daniel, the hospital has released something.””
“What?””
“The electronic access log from the night of the births.””
“Who accessed the records?””
Michael took a breath.
“Vanessa. Dr. Whitmore. And one other person.””
“Who?””
“Your something.””
“What?””
“The electronic access log from the night of the births.””
“Who accessed the records?””
Michael took a breath.
“Vanessa. Dr. Whitmore. And one other person.””
“Who?””
“Your mother.””
Daniel went completely still.
“My mother?””
“Her name appears on a visitor access record at 10:42 p.m.””
Daniel looked across the room.
Margaret was sitting beside Ethan, helping him color a picture mother.””
Daniel went completely still.
“My mother?””
“Her name appears on a visitor access record at 10:42 p.m.””
Daniel looked across the room.
Margaret was sitting beside Ethan, helping him color a picture.
“That's impossible.””
“I'm sending you the document.””
Daniel ended the call.
He stared at his mother.
“Mom,.
“That's impossible.””
“I'm sending you the document.””
Daniel ended the call.
He stared at his mother.
“Mom, I need to ask you something.””
Margaret looked up.
“What is it?””
“Were you at St. Mary's the night Sophie was born?””
Her hand stopped moving.
Ethan glanced between them.
Margaret slowly put down the I need to ask you something.””
Margaret looked up.
“What is it?””
“Were you at St. Mary's the night Sophie was born?””
Her hand stopped moving.
Ethan glanced between them.
Margaret slowly put down the crayons.
“Yes.””
Daniel felt as though the floor had shifted.
“Why?””
She looked at the children.
“Can we talk privately?””
Daniel nodded toward Michael.
“Take the crayons.
“Yes.””
Daniel felt as though the floor had shifted.
“Why?””
She looked at the children.
“Can we talk privately?””
Daniel nodded toward Michael.
“Take the children to the waiting area.””
Once they were alone, Margaret began crying.
“I didn't know what Vanessa was planning.””
“But you were there.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Margaret covered her children to the waiting area.””
Once they were alone, Margaret began crying.
“I didn't know what Vanessa was planning.””
“But you were there.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Margaret covered her face.
“Laura called me. She said something was wrong with the babies. She asked me to come because she didn't trust anyone face.
“Laura called me. She said something was wrong with the babies. She asked me to come because she didn't trust anyone else.””
Daniel's voice hardened.
“What did you see?””
“I saw Vanessa holding a newborn. She was arguing with Dr. Whitmore.””
“Which newborn?””
else.””
Daniel's voice hardened.
“What did you see?””
“I saw Vanessa holding a newborn. She was arguing with Dr. Whitmore.””
“Which newborn?””
“I don't know.””
“Mom!””
Margaret flinched.
“She said the baby belonged to her sister. But Whitmore told her she couldn't“I don't know.””
“Mom!””
Margaret flinched.
“She said the baby belonged to her sister. But Whitmore told her she couldn't take the child without authorization.””
Daniel stared at her.
“And what did you do?””
“I tried to stop them.””
“Did you?””
Margaret began sobbing.
“No.””
Daniel took a step backward.
“What?””
“I was afraid. Vanessa threatened to tell the police take the child without authorization.””
Daniel stared at her.
“And what did you do?””
“I tried to stop them.””
“Did you?””
Margaret began sobbing.
“No.””
Daniel took a step backward.
“What?””
“I was afraid. Vanessa threatened to tell the police that I had helped her. She said she had evidence that I had illegally accessed Laura's medical information.””
“Did you?””
Margaret looked that I had helped her. She said she had evidence that I had illegally accessed Laura's medical information.””
“Did you?””
Margaret looked down.
“I only wanted to protect Laura.””
Daniel struggled to understand.
“Did you sign anything?””
Margaret nodded.
“What?””
“A temporary guardianship document.””
Daniel's stomach tightened.
“Whose name was on it?””
Margaret whispered:
down.
“I only wanted to protect Laura.””
Daniel struggled to understand.
“Did you sign anything?””
Margaret nodded.
“What?””
“A temporary guardianship document.””
Daniel's stomach tightened.
“Whose name was on it?””
Margaret whispered:
“Mine.””
The laboratory results arrived two days later.
Daniel was sitting in Michael's office when the email appeared.
Neither man spoke“Mine.””
The laboratory results arrived two days later.
Daniel was sitting in Michael's office when the email appeared.
Neither man spoke as the attachment opened.
The report contained several sections.
Daniel Carter and Sophie Carter.
Biological paternity probability as the attachment opened.
The report contained several sections.
Daniel Carter and Sophie Carter.
Biological paternity probability: 99.99%.
Daniel released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
Sophie was his daughter.
But the next result was more complicated.
Maternal comparison using: 99.99%.
Daniel released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
Sophie was his daughter.
But the next result was more complicated.
Maternal comparison using available reference material from Laura's archived medical records:
*Biological maternity confirmed.*
Daniel closed his available reference material from Laura's archived medical records:
*Biological maternity confirmed.*
Daniel closed his eyes.
Laura was Sophie's mother.
The child he had raised was the child Laura had given birth to.
At least that part of the eyes.
Laura was Sophie's mother.
The child he had raised was the child Laura had given birth to.
At least that part of the mystery was settled.
But there was another section.
A comparison involving the archived DNA sample from Rebecca Reed.
It showed that Rebecca was not mystery was settled.
But there was another section.
A comparison involving the archived DNA sample from Rebecca Reed.
It showed that Rebecca was not Sophie's biological mother.
Daniel looked at Michael.
“Then why did Rebecca say Vanessa had taken her baby?””
Michael turned the page.
“ Sophie's biological mother.
Daniel looked at Michael.
“Then why did Rebecca say Vanessa had taken her baby?””
Michael turned the page.
“Because Vanessa did take her baby. The question is where that child went.””
Daniel continued reading.
The final report concerned a sample obtained from an old medical record associated with Claire Donovan.
The laboratoryBecause Vanessa did take her baby. The question is where that child went.””
Daniel continued reading.
The final report concerned a sample obtained from an old medical record associated with Claire Donovan.
The laboratory had identified a biological relationship between Claire and another female child whose identity was listed as confidential.
The sample had identified a biological relationship between Claire and another female child whose identity was listed as confidential.
The sample was insufficient for a complete comparison.
But one note stood out:
Available genetic markers are consistent with the existence of a third biological child within the documented family group.
Daniel leaned back.
Three babies.
Three families.
And only one child had been properly was insufficient for a complete comparison.
But one note stood out:
Available genetic markers are consistent with the existence of a third biological child within the documented family group.
Daniel leaned back.
Three babies.
Three families.
And only one child had been properly identified.
Michael closed the folder.
“We need Rebecca's DNA and access to the remaining hospital records.””
Daniel nodded.
“Find her.””
That evening, Daniel returned home.
Margaret was waiting in the living room.
Ethan was upstairs with Sophie.
“Daniel,” she said quietly.
“There's something else.””
He stopped.
“What?””
Margaret reached into her handbag and removed a small silver locket.
“I found this among Laura identified.
Michael closed the folder.
“We need Rebecca's DNA and access to the remaining hospital records.””
Daniel nodded.
“Find her.””
That evening, Daniel returned home.
Margaret was waiting in the living room.
Ethan was upstairs with Sophie.
“Daniel,” she said quietly.
“There's something else.””
He stopped.
“What?””
Margaret reached into her handbag and removed a small silver locket.
“I found this among Laura's belongings after she died. I was supposed to give it to you, but I couldn't.””
Daniel opened it.
Inside was a tiny's belongings after she died. I was supposed to give it to you, but I couldn't.””
Daniel opened it.
Inside was a tiny photograph of Laura holding a newborn.
On the opposite side was a handwritten inscription.
For my two precious children. One day, they'll know why I fought so hard.
Daniel stared at the words.
“Two children?””
Margaret nodded.
“ photograph of Laura holding a newborn.
On the opposite side was a handwritten inscription.
For my two precious children. One day, they'll know why I fought so hard.
Daniel stared at the words.
“Two children?””
Margaret nodded.
“Laura believed there was another child involved. But she never told me who.””
Daniel turned the locket over.
A tiny number had been engraved beneath the clasp.
*314.*
He recognizedLaura believed there was another child involved. But she never told me who.””
Daniel turned the locket over.
A tiny number had been engraved beneath the clasp.
*314.*
He recognized it immediately.
It was the room number from the maternity ward at St. Mary's.
“Mom, did Laura ever tell you what happened in room 314?””
Margaret shook her head.
“No. But she gave me something else it immediately.
It was the room number from the maternity ward at St. Mary's.
“Mom, did Laura ever tell you what happened in room 314?””
Margaret shook her head.
“No. But she gave me something else.””
She reached into her handbag and produced a small folded note.
Daniel opened it.
There were only two lines.
*If the girls are ever separated, find the woman.””
She reached into her handbag and produced a small folded note.
Daniel opened it.
There were only two lines.
If the girls are ever separated, find the woman in Room 314.
She knows which baby Vanessa kept.
Daniel read it again.
“Who in Room 314.*
She knows which baby Vanessa kept.
Daniel read it again.
“Who was the woman?””
Margaret's face turned pale.
“I think I know.””
“Who?””
Before she could answer, Daniel's phone rang.
The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number.
He answered.
“Hello was the woman?””
Margaret's face turned pale.
“I think I know.””
“Who?””
Before she could answer, Daniel's phone rang.
The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number.
He answered.
“Hello?””
A young woman's voice came through.
“Mr. Carter? My name is Emily.””
Daniel looked at the locket.
“Emily what?””
“Emily Reed.””
His entire body went rigid.
?””
A young woman's voice came through.
“Mr. Carter? My name is Emily.””
Daniel looked at the locket.
“Emily what?””
“Emily Reed.””
His entire body went rigid.
“Rebecca's daughter?””
“Yes.””
Daniel struggled to speak.
“Where are you?””
“I'm at St. Mary's.””
“Are you safe?””
“I think so. But there's“Rebecca's daughter?””
“Yes.””
Daniel struggled to speak.
“Where are you?””
“I'm at St. Mary's.””
“Are you safe?””
“I think so. But there's something you need to know.””
“What?””
Emily began crying.
“I found my mother's records. I also found the woman something you need to know.””
“What?””
Emily began crying.
“I found my mother's records. I also found the woman who helped Vanessa switch the babies.””
Daniel gripped the phone.
“Who was it?””
Emily whispered:
“Your mother.””
Daniel turned toward Margaret.
She who helped Vanessa switch the babies.””
Daniel gripped the phone.
“Who was it?””
Emily whispered:
“Your mother.””
Daniel turned toward Margaret.
She was already crying.
Then Emily added:
“And Mr. Carter, the woman who died in Room 314 wasn't Laura.””
Daniel's phone nearly slipped from his hand was already crying.
Then Emily added:
“And Mr. Carter, the woman who died in Room 314 wasn't Laura.””
Daniel's phone nearly slipped from his hand.
“What did you say?””
“The woman in the hospital bed was someone else. Laura was moved before the official.
“What did you say?””
“The woman in the hospital bed was someone else. Laura was moved before the official death report.””
Daniel stared at Margaret.
She lowered her head.
And then Emily delivered the final blow.
“Your wife may still be alive.””
death report.””
Daniel stared at Margaret.
She lowered her head.
May you like
And then Emily delivered the final blow.
“Your wife may still be alive.””
