Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Stranger Who Claimed to Be Nia’s Father
At 6: The Stranger Who Claimed to Be Nia’s Father
At 6:12 the next morning, I received a:12 the next morning, I received a photograph that made me question the last twelve photograph that made me question the last twelve years of my life.
It showed Rachel standing outside a brick building in Boston, her years of my life.
It showed Rachel standing outside a brick building in Boston, her hand resting on the shoulder of a man I had never seen before. He was tall, dark-haired, and wore a small scar above his left hand resting on the shoulder of a man I had never seen before. He was tall, dark-haired, and wore a small scar above his left eyebrow.
The same scar Nia had described.
On the back of the photograph, someone had written a date.
Three months eyebrow.
The same scar Nia had described.
On the back of the photograph, someone had written a date.
Three months before Rachel met me.
Beneath it were six words.
*You deserve to know who raised her.*
I stared at the image before Rachel met me.
Beneath it were six words.
*You deserve to know who raised her.*
I stared at the image until the coffee in my hand went cold.
Then I called Harold Whit until the coffee in my hand went cold.
Then I called Harold Whitmore.
The retired solicitor answered with the cautious politeness of a man who had spent his career dealing with people who didn't always tell the truth.
“Mr. Bennett?””
“This is Marcus Bennett. Daniel Pricemore.
The retired solicitor answered with the cautious politeness of a man who had spent his career dealing with people who didn't always tell the truth.
“Mr. Bennett?””
“This is Marcus Bennett. Daniel Price gave me your number. Rachel left instructions concerning a sealed document.””
There was a long silence.
“I wondered when gave me your number. Rachel left instructions concerning a sealed document.””
There was a long silence.
“I wondered when this call would come,” Harold said.
“Then you know why I'm calling.””
“I know this call would come,” Harold said.
“Then you know why I'm calling.””
“I know why Rachel hoped you would call. I can't tell you what the document contains until I've verified your identity and reviewed why Rachel hoped you would call. I can't tell you what the document contains until I've verified your identity and reviewed the circumstances that triggered its release.””
“Someone is claiming to be Nia's biological father.””
Har the circumstances that triggered its release.””
“Someone is claiming to be Nia's biological father.””
Harold didn't respond immediately.
When he finally spoke, his voice had changed.
“Has Grant Mercer contacted you?””
“Yes.””
“Did heold didn't respond immediately.
When he finally spoke, his voice had changed.
“Has Grant Mercer contacted you?””
“Yes.””
“Did he tell you to meet him?””
“At ten o'clock.””
“Do not go alone.””
I looked at the photograph again.
“Why?””
“Because Grant is not simply tell you to meet him?””
“At ten o'clock.””
“Do not go alone.””
I looked at the photograph again.
“Why?””
“Because Grant is not simply a man with information about Rachel. He has spent years trying to gain access to a document that Rachel specifically instructed me never to release to him.””
“What a man with information about Rachel. He has spent years trying to gain access to a document that Rachel specifically instructed me never to release to him.””
“What document?””
“A declaration. Signed, witnessed, and supported by medical records.””
My pulse quick document?””
“A declaration. Signed, witnessed, and supported by medical records.””
My pulse quickened.
“Does it establish Nia's paternity?””
“It addresses that question. But I won'tened.
“Does it establish Nia's paternity?””
“It addresses that question. But I won't discuss the contents over an unsecured call.””
“Mr. Whitmore, my daughter is twelve. My discuss the contents over an unsecured call.””
“Mr. Whitmore, my daughter is twelve. My wife has been using fabricated allegations to force me out of my home.
Someone has already broken into my mother-in-law wife has been using fabricated allegations to force me out of my home. Someone has already broken into my mother-in-law's house looking for Rachel's papers. I need to know what I'm dealing with.””
Harold exhaled.
“Then listen carefully. Rachel did not leave that document because she wanted to destroy your family's house looking for Rachel's papers. I need to know what I'm dealing with.””
Harold exhaled.
“Then listen carefully. Rachel did not leave that document because she wanted to destroy your family. She left it because she believed someone might try to use it to take your daughter.””
The words. She left it because she believed someone might try to use it to take your daughter.””
The words settled heavily between us.
“Who?””
“I can't tell you until we meet.””
I checked settled heavily between us.
“Who?””
“I can't tell you until we meet.””
I checked the clock.
“Can you be in New York today?””
“I can.””
“Then I'll meet you at my attorney's office.””
the clock.
“Can you be in New York today?””
“I can.””
“Then I'll meet you at my attorney's office.””
“Good. And Marcus?””
“Yes?””
“If Grant shows you a photograph, a letter, or a“Good. And Marcus?””
“Yes?””
“If Grant shows you a photograph, a letter, or a supposed DNA result, don't assume it proves anything. He knows how to make a convincing supposed DNA result, don't assume it proves anything. He knows how to make a convincing story.””
The call ended.
I sat at the kitchen table, looking at the photograph.
A few hours earlier, I story.””
The call ended.
I sat at the kitchen table, looking at the photograph.
A few hours earlier, I had believed the worst thing Vanessa had done was make my daughter feel unwanted.
Now I was beginning to understand that the suitcase, the had believed the worst thing Vanessa had done was make my daughter feel unwanted.
Now I was beginning to understand that the suitcase, the recording, and the emergency filing might have been pieces of something much larger.
I heard footsteps recording, and the emergency filing might have been pieces of something much larger.
I heard footsteps behind me.
Vanessa stood in the kitchen doorway, dressed for work. Her hair was pulled back, and her face looked pale beneath her makeup behind me.
Vanessa stood in the kitchen doorway, dressed for work. Her hair was pulled back, and her face looked pale beneath her makeup.
She noticed the photograph.
Her expression changed.
“Where did you get that?””
I turned it toward her.
“Do.
She noticed the photograph.
Her expression changed.
“Where did you get that?””
I turned it toward her.
“Do you recognize him?””
She didn't answer.
“Vanessa.””
She walked closer, then stopped when she saw the man's face clearly.
“Grant sent that?””
“Yes.””
She covered you recognize him?””
She didn't answer.
“Vanessa.””
She walked closer, then stopped when she saw the man's face clearly.
“Grant sent that?””
“Yes.””
She covered her mouth.
For a moment, I thought she might cry.
Instead, she sat down.
“Marcus, I need to tell you something before you her mouth.
For a moment, I thought she might cry.
Instead, she sat down.
“Marcus, I need to tell you something before you meet him.””
“I'm listening.””
“When Grant first approached me, he said he wanted to protect Nia. He told meet him.””
“I'm listening.””
“When Grant first approached me, he said he wanted to protect Nia. He told me Rachel had made a mistake years ago and that you were being kept in the dark.””
“About her biological me Rachel had made a mistake years ago and that you were being kept in the dark.””
“About her biological father?””
Vanessa nodded.
“What did he tell you?””
“That the man in the photograph had been involved with Rachel before she met you. That father?””
Vanessa nodded.
“What did he tell you?””
“That the man in the photograph had been involved with Rachel before she met you. That he had a legal claim to Nia. That if the truth came out, you he had a legal claim to Nia. That if the truth came out, you could lose custody.””
“Did you believe him?””
“At first, no.””
“What changed?””
She stared at her hands.
“He could lose custody.””
“Did you believe him?””
“At first, no.””
“What changed?””
She stared at her hands.
“He showed me a document with Rachel's signature. It said something about a private agreement.””
“Did showed me a document with Rachel's signature. It said something about a private agreement.””
“Did you read the whole thing?””
“No.””
“Why not?””
“Because he told me it was confidential, and I wasn't supposed you read the whole thing?””
“No.””
“Why not?””
“Because he told me it was confidential, and I wasn't supposed to have seen it.””
I leaned forward.
“So you decided to help him remove me from the house before you even knew what the document said?””
Her to have seen it.””
I leaned forward.
“So you decided to help him remove me from the house before you even knew what the document said?””
Her eyes filled.
“I thought if I helped him, he would give me the truth.””
“You helped him frighten a eyes filled.
“I thought if I helped him, he would give me the truth.””
“You helped him frighten a twelve-year-old child.””
“I know.””
It was the first time she had admitted what she'd done without blaming Nia twelve-year-old child.””
“I know.””
It was the first time she had admitted what she'd done without blaming Nia, Rachel, or me.
But remorse didn't erase the consequences.
“, Rachel, or me.
But remorse didn't erase the consequences.
“Did Grant tell you to record Nia crying?””
“Yes.””
“Did he tell you to make it look as though I had thrown her out?””
Vanessa closed her eyes.
“Yes.””
“Did he promise to help you get custody of AvaDid Grant tell you to record Nia crying?””
“Yes.””
“Did he tell you to make it look as though I had thrown her out?””
Vanessa closed her eyes.
“Yes.””
“Did he promise to help you get custody of Ava and Caleb if the allegations succeeded?””
She looked up sharply.
“How do you know about that?””
I felt something and Caleb if the allegations succeeded?””
She looked up sharply.
“How do you know about that?””
I felt something inside me turn cold.
“Answer the question.””
“He said the children would be safer if you weren't in inside me turn cold.
“Answer the question.””
“He said the children would be safer if you weren't in the house. He said I could remain here temporarily while the court investigated.””
“And after the house. He said I could remain here temporarily while the court investigated.””
“And after that?””
“He said everything would depend on what the court found.””
I pushed the photograph across the table.
“Van that?””
“He said everything would depend on what the court found.””
I pushed the photograph across the table.
“Vanessa, Grant has been using you.””
She began crying.
“I know that now.””
“Doessa, Grant has been using you.””
She began crying.
“I know that now.””
“Do you?””
She looked at me through her tears.
“He called me last night after you went upstairs. He said I had to destroy anything Rachel left behind. He you?””
She looked at me through her tears.
“He called me last night after you went upstairs. He said I had to destroy anything Rachel left behind. He said if I didn't, he would make sure I lost the children too.””
I stared at her.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because said if I didn't, he would make sure I lost the children too.””
I stared at her.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of him?””
She nodded.
“Then help me establish the truth.””
She wiped her cheeks.
“What I was afraid.””
“Of him?””
She nodded.
“Then help me establish the truth.””
She wiped her cheeks.
“What do you want me to do?””
“Tell Laura Torres everything. Preserve every message. Give your attorney the do you want me to do?””
“Tell Laura Torres everything. Preserve every message. Give your attorney the complete account, including your role in the recording and the false allegations. Don't delete anything.””
Vanessa nodded slowly.
Then she whispered, “There's complete account, including your role in the recording and the false allegations. Don't delete anything.””
Vanessa nodded slowly.
Then she whispered, “There's something else.””
I waited.
“Grant told me the man in that photograph was coming back for Nia.””
“When?””
“Today.””
My phone vibrated.
A something else.””
I waited.
“Grant told me the man in that photograph was coming back for Nia.””
“When?””
“Today.””
My phone vibrated.
A new message from Grant appeared.
**Ten o'clock. The courthouse café. Come alone new message from Grant appeared.
*Ten o'clock. The courthouse café. Come alone, or you'll never learn the truth about your daughter.*
I showed Vanessa the screen.
She went, or you'll never learn the truth about your daughter.**
I showed Vanessa the screen.
She went pale.
“He knows you're meeting someone,” she whispered.
I looked at her.
“How?””
She shook pale.
“He knows you're meeting someone,” she whispered.
I looked at her.
“How?””
She shook her head.
“I don't know.””
Then, after a moment, she said, “Unless he's been watching the house.””
I called my attorney, her head.
“I don't know.””
Then, after a moment, she said, “Unless he's been watching the house.””
I called my attorney, Daniel Shaw, and explained the situation. He instructed me not to meet Grant alone and arranged for Harold Whitmore to join us at his office Daniel Shaw, and explained the situation. He instructed me not to meet Grant alone and arranged for Harold Whitmore to join us at his office before any confrontation.
I also contacted Laura Torres to report the new messages and the information Vanessa had just provided before any confrontation.
I also contacted Laura Torres to report the new messages and the information Vanessa had just provided.
By eight-thirty, my sister Emily had arrived to stay with the children.
Nia.
By eight-thirty, my sister Emily had arrived to stay with the children.
Nia stood in the hallway, holding her teddy bear.
“Dad, are you leaving?””
I crouched beside her.
“I stood in the hallway, holding her teddy bear.
“Dad, are you leaving?””
I crouched beside her.
“I have to meet someone who may know more about your mother.””
“Is it the man in the picture?””
I nodded have to meet someone who may know more about your mother.””
“Is it the man in the picture?””
I nodded.
She stared at the photograph in my hand.
“He looks angry.””
“He hasn't done anything to you, sweetheart.
She stared at the photograph in my hand.
“He looks angry.””
“He hasn't done anything to you, sweetheart.””
“But he wants to see me.””
I hesitated.
“I think he wants something..””
“But he wants to see me.””
I hesitated.
“I think he wants something. I don't know yet whether he wants to help you.””
Nia considered that.
“Mom used I don't know yet whether he wants to help you.””
Nia considered that.
“Mom used to say people who wanted to help always asked you to keep secrets.””
I felt a sharp ache behind to say people who wanted to help always asked you to keep secrets.””
I felt a sharp ache behind my ribs.
“Your mom was right about that.””
She held out the teddy bear.
“Can you take him with you?””
I smiled my ribs.
“Your mom was right about that.””
She held out the teddy bear.
“Can you take him with you?””
I smiled faintly.
“Why?””
“So you'll remember to come home.””
I took the bear and hugged her.
“I don't need a teddy bear to remember that.””
“I know,” she whispered.
“But faintly.
“Why?””
“So you'll remember to come home.””
I took the bear and hugged her.
“I don't need a teddy bear to remember that.””
“I know,” she whispered.
“But take him anyway.””
I tucked the bear into my bag.
Then I kissed her forehead and left with Emily standing beside her.
At 9:48, take him anyway.””
I tucked the bear into my bag.
Then I kissed her forehead and left with Emily standing beside her.
At 9:48, I arrived at Daniel Shaw's office.
Harold Whitmore was already there, sitting beside a stack of sealed documents. He was I arrived at Daniel Shaw's office.
Harold Whitmore was already there, sitting beside a stack of sealed documents. He was in his late sixties, with silver hair, a narrow face, and the careful manner of someone who weighed every word before allowing it into the world.
He stood in his late sixties, with silver hair, a narrow face, and the careful manner of someone who weighed every word before allowing it into the world.
He stood when I entered.
“Marcus Bennett.””
“Mr. Whitmore.””
We shook hands.
He studied my face for a moment.
“You look like Rachel.””
I swallowed when I entered.
“Marcus Bennett.””
“Mr. Whitmore.””
We shook hands.
He studied my face for a moment.
“You look like Rachel.””
I swallowed.
“People used to say that about Nia.””
“Rachel would have liked that.””
He.
“People used to say that about Nia.””
“Rachel would have liked that.””
He sat down and opened his briefcase.
Inside was a thick envelope sealed with red wax.
“Before I open sat down and opened his briefcase.
Inside was a thick envelope sealed with red wax.
“Before I open this,” he said, “I need to ask you one question.””
“Go ahead.””
“Do you want the this,” he said, “I need to ask you one question.””
“Go ahead.””
“Do you want the truth even if it changes what you believe about Rachel?””
I thought about the photograph.
The notebook.
The suitcase truth even if it changes what you believe about Rachel?””
I thought about the photograph.
The notebook.
The suitcase.
My daughter asking whether I was going to work tomorrow.
“Yes,” I said.
“But I won't.
My daughter asking whether I was going to work tomorrow.
“Yes,” I said.
“But I won't let anyone use it to frighten her.””
Harold nodded.
“Then we can begin.””
He broke let anyone use it to frighten her.””
Harold nodded.
“Then we can begin.””
He broke the seal.
Inside were several legal documents, a handwritten letter from Rachel, and a laboratory report.
I looked the seal.
Inside were several legal documents, a handwritten letter from Rachel, and a laboratory report.
I looked at the first page.
The report had been prepared twelve years earlier.
The names at the top were Rachel Bennett and a man at the first page.
The report had been prepared twelve years earlier.
The names at the top were Rachel Bennett and a man named Adrian Cole.
Below them was a heading that made my heart hammer.
**CONFIDENTIAL PATERNITY TEST — PRE named Adrian Cole.
Below them was a heading that made my heart hammer.
*CONFIDENTIAL PATERNITY TEST — PRENATAL SAMPLE COMPARISON.*
I looked at Harold.
“Who isNATAL SAMPLE COMPARISON.**
I looked at Harold.
“Who is Adrian Cole?””
He turned the page toward me.
And I saw the same scarred man from Adrian Cole?””
He turned the page toward me.
And I saw the same scarred man from the photograph.
“The man Grant claims is Nia's biological father,” Harold said.
My mouth went dry.
“Claims?””
Harold the photograph.
“The man Grant claims is Nia's biological father,” Harold said.
My mouth went dry.
“Claims?””
Harold placed his finger beneath the final paragraph.
“Read the result, Marcus placed his finger beneath the final paragraph.
“Read the result, Marcus.””
I looked down.
The report did not say what Grant had led me to expect.
It said that Adrian Cole was **.””
I looked down.
The report did not say what Grant had led me to expect.
It said that Adrian Cole was *excluded as the biological father*.
I read the line twice.
Then I looked up.
“Why wouldexcluded as the biological father**.
I read the line twice.
Then I looked up.
“Why would Grant tell me the opposite?””
Harold's expression darkened.
“Because the truth is considerably more Grant tell me the opposite?””
Harold's expression darkened.
“Because the truth is considerably more dangerous to him than a lie.””
He lifted Rachel's handwritten letter.
“And because Adrian Cole dangerous to him than a lie.””
He lifted Rachel's handwritten letter.
May you like
“And because Adrian Cole isn't the person Grant is really trying to protect.””
isn't the person Grant is really trying to protect.””
