Chapter 8: The Mother## Chapter 8: The Mother Who Never Died
“Ask Who Never Died
“Ask the woman who raised you.””
Daniel's words followed me long the woman who raised you.””
Daniel's words followed me long after the police dragged him out of the warehouse.
I was kneeling beside Nia, checking her wrists, her face after the police dragged him out of the warehouse.
I was kneeling beside Nia, checking her wrists, her face, and her stomach.
But my mind was somewhere else.
The woman who raised me.
My father had supposedly adopted me when I was a baby, and her stomach.
But my mind was somewhere else.
The woman who raised me.
My father had supposedly adopted me when I was a baby. Evelyn had just claimed she was my biological mother's sister. Daniel was my twin.
And now Daniel was. Evelyn had just claimed she was my biological mother's sister. Daniel was my twin.
And now Daniel was telling me that someone else had raised me.
Someone whose identity I apparently didn't know.
“Marcus?””
N telling me that someone else had raised me.
Someone whose identity I apparently didn't know.
“Marcus?””
Nia touched my cheek.
I looked at her.
“What's wrong?””
“Daniel said the woman who raised me knows the truth.””
Nia's expression changed.
Sheia touched my cheek.
I looked at her.
“What's wrong?””
“Daniel said the woman who raised me knows the truth.””
Nia's expression changed.
She glanced toward Detective Collins.
“There's something I haven't told you.””
I closed my eyes.
“Please tell me this isn't another secret.””
glanced toward Detective Collins.
“There's something I haven't told you.””
I closed my eyes.
“Please tell me this isn't another secret.””
“It's about Rebecca.””
My heart began pounding.
“My biological mother?””
Nia nodded.
“I found her.””
“When“It's about Rebecca.””
My heart began pounding.
“My biological mother?””
Nia nodded.
“I found her.””
“When?””
“Three months ago.””
I stared at her.
“You found my mother three months ago?””
“I found an address. I wasn't sure it?””
“Three months ago.””
I stared at her.
“You found my mother three months ago?””
“I found an address. I wasn't sure it was current, so I asked someone to investigate.””
“Who?””
“Peter.””
The funeral home employee.
I remembered was current, so I asked someone to investigate.””
“Who?””
“Peter.””
The funeral home employee.
I remembered the frightened man in the cemetery.
“What did he discover?””
“That Rebecca was living outside the city. Under a different name.””
I felt a the frightened man in the cemetery.
“What did he discover?””
“That Rebecca was living outside the city. Under a different name.””
I felt a sudden wave of hope.
“She's alive?””
Nia nodded.
“She was alive when Peter last saw her.””
I grabbed her hand.
“ sudden wave of hope.
“She's alive?””
Nia nodded.
“She was alive when Peter last saw her.””
I grabbed her hand.
“Where is she?””
Before Nia could answer, Detective Collins approached.
“Mr. Carter, we need toWhere is she?””
Before Nia could answer, Detective Collins approached.
“Mr. Carter, we need to get both of you somewhere secure.””
“I'm not leaving until I know where my mother is.””
The detective looked at Nia.
“Mrs. Carter, do you have an address?””
Nia nodded get both of you somewhere secure.””
“I'm not leaving until I know where my mother is.””
The detective looked at Nia.
“Mrs. Carter, do you have an address?””
Nia nodded.
“It's written in the phone I gave Peter.””
“Where is the phone?””
“Daniel took it.””
Detective Collins looked toward the officers.
“Has the suspect's vehicle been secured?””
“Yes, Detective.””
“Search it.
“It's written in the phone I gave Peter.””
“Where is the phone?””
“Daniel took it.””
Detective Collins looked toward the officers.
“Has the suspect's vehicle been secured?””
“Yes, Detective.””
“Search it. We're looking for a second phone.””
An officer hurried away.
I turned toward Nia.
“Why didn't you tell me about Rebecca before. We're looking for a second phone.””
An officer hurried away.
I turned toward Nia.
“Why didn't you tell me about Rebecca before?””
She lowered her eyes.
“Because I didn't know whether she wanted to see you.””
“She's my mother.””
“I know.””
“Then why?””
?””
She lowered her eyes.
“Because I didn't know whether she wanted to see you.””
“She's my mother.””
“I know.””
“Then why?””
Nia took a shaky breath.
“Because the last time Peter spoke to her, she told him something strange.””
“What?””
“SheNia took a shaky breath.
“Because the last time Peter spoke to her, she told him something strange.””
“What?””
“She said you were never supposed to find out that she had two children.””
I stared at her.
“Why would she say that?””
Nia looked toward Daniel said you were never supposed to find out that she had two children.””
I stared at her.
“Why would she say that?””
Nia looked toward Daniel's police vehicle.
“Because she was afraid of what would happen if you and your brother ever met.””
Two hours later, Detective Collins received a's police vehicle.
“Because she was afraid of what would happen if you and your brother ever met.””
Two hours later, Detective Collins received a call.
The second phone had been recovered from Daniel's SUV.
It contained several encrypted files, photographs, and call.
The second phone had been recovered from Daniel's SUV.
It contained several encrypted files, photographs, and a list of addresses.
One of those addresses belonged to a small house in a a list of addresses.
One of those addresses belonged to a small house in a town forty miles outside the city.
The name on the utility account was Margaret Lewis.
But the photograph attached to the account showed a woman I had seen before.
The woman from my father's old photograph.
Rebecca.
town forty miles outside the city.
The name on the utility account was Margaret Lewis.
But the photograph attached to the account showed a woman I had seen before.
The woman from my father's old photograph.
Rebecca.
We left immediately.
Detective Collins insisted on taking two officers with us.
Nia remained under medical supervision, but she refused to stay behind.
“I've beenWe left immediately.
Detective Collins insisted on taking two officers with us.
Nia remained under medical supervision, but she refused to stay behind.
“I've been running from these people for months,” she said.
“I'm not hiding anymore.””
The doctor eventually agreed to let her travel in running from these people for months,” she said.
“I'm not hiding anymore.””
The doctor eventually agreed to let her travel in a medical vehicle with an officer accompanying her.
At 10:35 a.m., we reached the address.
It was a modest brick house at a medical vehicle with an officer accompanying her.
At 10:35 a.m., we reached the address.
It was a modest brick house at the end of a quiet street.
There were flowerpots beside the front steps.
A wind chime hung near the door.
And a small wooden rocking chair sat beneath the window.
I stood outside for several seconds.
I had the end of a quiet street.
There were flowerpots beside the front steps.
A wind chime hung near the door.
And a small wooden rocking chair sat beneath the window.
I stood outside for several seconds.
I had imagined meeting my biological mother hundreds of times during the previous few hours.
I had imagined anger.
Questions.
Tears.
I hadn't imagined being afraid to imagined meeting my biological mother hundreds of times during the previous few hours.
I had imagined anger.
Questions.
Tears.
I hadn't imagined being afraid to knock.
Detective Collins approached.
“Ready knock.
Detective Collins approached.
“Ready?””
I nodded.
She knocked three times.
No answer.
She knocked again.
A curtain moved.
Then the door opened.
An elderly woman stood in the doorway.
Her hair was silver, and she leaned heavily on a wooden cane.
She looked at Detective Collins.
Then at Nia.
Finally, her?””
I nodded.
She knocked three times.
No answer.
She knocked again.
A curtain moved.
Then the door opened.
An elderly woman stood in the doorway.
Her hair was silver, and she leaned heavily on a wooden cane.
She looked at Detective Collins.
Then at Nia.
Finally, her eyes settled on me.
The cane slipped from her hand.
“Oh, my God.””
My throat tightened.
“Rebecca?””
She covered her mouth.
“Marcus?””
I couldn't move.
She eyes settled on me.
The cane slipped from her hand.
“Oh, my God.””
My throat tightened.
“Rebecca?””
She covered her mouth.
“Marcus?””
I couldn't move.
She took one step forward.
Then another.
And suddenly, she was touching my face with both hands.
“Look at you,” she whispered.
Her fingers took one step forward.
Then another.
And suddenly, she was touching my face with both hands.
“Look at you,” she whispered.
Her fingers trembled against my cheeks.
“You have your father's eyes.””
I swallowed.
“Why didn't you come looking for me?””
Her face trembled against my cheeks.
“You have your father's eyes.””
I swallowed.
“Why didn't you come looking for me?””
Her face crumpled.
“I did.””
“Why didn't you find me?””
“I tried, sweetheart. I tried for years.””
I stepped backward.
“Then why did you disappear?””
She looked at Detective crumpled.
“I did.””
“Why didn't you find me?””
“I tried, sweetheart. I tried for years.””
I stepped backward.
“Then why did you disappear?””
She looked at Detective Collins.
“May we come inside?””
Rebecca's living room smelled of lavender and freshly Collins.
“May we come inside?””
Rebecca's living room smelled of lavender and freshly brewed tea.
There were photographs on the mantelpiece.
A younger Rebecca standing beside a man I didn't recognize.
A brewed tea.
There were photographs on the mantelpiece.
A younger Rebecca standing beside a man I didn't recognize.
A little girl holding a birthday cake.
And a photograph of two newborn babies wrapped in identical blue blankets.
I picked it up.
My hands little girl holding a birthday cake.
And a photograph of two newborn babies wrapped in identical blue blankets.
I picked it up.
My hands were shaking.
“Is this us?””
Rebecca nodded.
“Marcus and Daniel.””
I stared at the photograph.
Two tiny were shaking.
“Is this us?””
Rebecca nodded.
“Marcus and Daniel.””
I stared at the photograph.
Two tiny faces.
Two identical hospital bracelets.
One of the babies was smiling.
The other had his eyes closed.
I placed it carefully on the table.
“Tell faces.
Two identical hospital bracelets.
One of the babies was smiling.
The other had his eyes closed.
I placed it carefully on the table.
“Tell me everything.””
Rebecca sat down.
For several seconds, she looked at her hands.
Then she began.
“Thirty-seven years ago, I me everything.””
Rebecca sat down.
For several seconds, she looked at her hands.
Then she began.
“Thirty-seven years ago, I gave birth to twins. Your father was not your biological father. He was a family friend who helped me during a difficult time.””
I frowned gave birth to twins. Your father was not your biological father. He was a family friend who helped me during a difficult time.””
I frowned.
“But Evelyn said—”
“Evelyn has always twisted the truth.””
Rebecca looked at me.
“Your father, Thomas, loved children. He helped me financially.
“But Evelyn said—”
“Evelyn has always twisted the truth.””
Rebecca looked at me.
“Your father, Thomas, loved children. He helped me financially when I was pregnant. When the twins were born, he offered to adopt one of you.””
“Why one?””
“ when I was pregnant. When the twins were born, he offered to adopt one of you.””
“Why one?””
“Because I couldn't afford to raise two children alone, and Thomas and his wife wanted aBecause I couldn't afford to raise two children alone, and Thomas and his wife wanted a child desperately.””
I swallowed.
“Which one did he take?””
“You.””
“And Daniel?””
“Daniel stayed with me.””
I stared at her.
“Then how child desperately.””
I swallowed.
“Which one did he take?””
“You.””
“And Daniel?””
“Daniel stayed with me.””
I stared at her.
“Then how did he end up with another family?””
Rebecca's eyes filled.
“That's the part I never wanted to tell you.””
She took a deep breath.
“Evelyn convinced me that Daniel did he end up with another family?””
Rebecca's eyes filled.
“That's the part I never wanted to tell you.””
She took a deep breath.
“Evelyn convinced me that Daniel would have a better life if I placed him with a wealthy family. She introduced me to a couple who promised to adopt him.””
“Who?””
“Robert and Helen would have a better life if I placed him with a wealthy family. She introduced me to a couple who promised to adopt him.””
“Who?””
“Robert and Helen Price.””
I closed my eyes.
Daniel's adoptive parents.
“They were good people,” Rebecca continued.
“At Price.””
I closed my eyes.
Daniel's adoptive parents.
“They were good people,” Rebecca continued.
“At least, that's what I believed.””
“What happened?””
“They died when Daniel was twelve. Evelyn became his legal least, that's what I believed.””
“What happened?””
“They died when Daniel was twelve. Evelyn became his legal guardian.””
I looked at Nia.
Evelyn had raised my twin brother.
She had known exactly who he was.
She had watched him grow up.
She had shaped him.
And guardian.””
I looked at Nia.
Evelyn had raised my twin brother.
She had known exactly who he was.
She had watched him grow up.
She had shaped him.
And then she had introduced him to the business that would eventually destroy my family.
“Why did Evelyn take then she had introduced him to the business that would eventually destroy my family.
“Why did Evelyn take Daniel?””
Rebecca's expression hardened.
“Because she wanted control over him.””
“What kind of control?””
“Your father discovered Daniel?””
Rebecca's expression hardened.
“Because she wanted control over him.””
“What kind of control?””
“Your father discovered that Evelyn had been stealing money from the adoption charity she managed. She had used the charity to arrange illegal that Evelyn had been stealing money from the adoption charity she managed. She had used the charity to arrange illegal financial transactions.””
Detective Collins leaned forward.
“Are you saying there was an adoption fraud operation?””
Rebecca nodded.
“Evelyn was taking children financial transactions.””
Detective Collins leaned forward.
“Are you saying there was an adoption fraud operation?””
Rebecca nodded.
“Evelyn was taking children from vulnerable families and arranging private placements. Some were legitimate. Others were not.””
My stomach turned.
“Was Daniel's adoption legitimate?””
Rebecca looked away.
“I signed the papers. But I later discovered that the money from vulnerable families and arranging private placements. Some were legitimate. Others were not.””
My stomach turned.
“Was Daniel's adoption legitimate?””
Rebecca looked away.
“I signed the papers. But I later discovered that the money Evelyn gave me wasn't a charitable payment. It was a purchase.””
Silence filled Evelyn gave me wasn't a charitable payment. It was a purchase.””
Silence filled the room.
I looked at the photograph.
“Did she sell my brother?””
Rebecca nodded.
“And when Thomas discovered what she had done, he threatened to expose her.””
“That's why he was killed.””
“Yes.””
I rubbed the room.
I looked at the photograph.
“Did she sell my brother?””
Rebecca nodded.
“And when Thomas discovered what she had done, he threatened to expose her.””
“That's why he was killed.””
“Yes.””
I rubbed my face.
“And my father adopted me to protect me?””
Rebecca nodded.
“He wanted to separate you from the operation. He believed that my face.
“And my father adopted me to protect me?””
Rebecca nodded.
“He wanted to separate you from the operation. He believed that if one of his children grew up outside Evelyn's influence, there would always be someone who could expose her if one of his children grew up outside Evelyn's influence, there would always be someone who could expose her.””
I stared at her.
“But Daniel was raised by her.””
Rebecca began crying.
“Yes.””
“Did you ever try to contact him?””
.””
I stared at her.
“But Daniel was raised by her.””
Rebecca began crying.
“Yes.””
“Did you ever try to contact him?””
“Many times.””
“Why didn't you tell him you were his mother?””
“Because Evelyn convinced him I had abandoned him.””
I looked toward the window.
For a moment, I“Many times.””
“Why didn't you tell him you were his mother?””
“Because Evelyn convinced him I had abandoned him.””
I looked toward the window.
For a moment, I felt something close to pity for Daniel.
Then I remembered Nia inside the coffin.
The ropes felt something close to pity for Daniel.
Then I remembered Nia inside the coffin.
The ropes around her wrists.
The cloth over her mouth.
And the gun pointed at her head.
Whatever had happened to him as a child, he had chosen what kind of man to become.
“Rebecca around her wrists.
The cloth over her mouth.
And the gun pointed at her head.
Whatever had happened to him as a child, he had chosen what kind of man to become.
“Rebecca,” Detective Collins said, “do you have any evidence connecting Evelyn to Thomas Carter's death?””
Rebecca nodded.
She stood slowly and walked toward a cabinet.
From inside, she removed a,” Detective Collins said, “do you have any evidence connecting Evelyn to Thomas Carter's death?””
Rebecca nodded.
She stood slowly and walked toward a cabinet.
From inside, she removed a small wooden box.
She placed it on the table.
“This belonged to Thomas.””
I opened it.
Inside was an old cassette recorder, several photographs small wooden box.
She placed it on the table.
“This belonged to Thomas.””
I opened it.
Inside was an old cassette recorder, several photographs, and a folded letter.
I recognized my father's handwriting.
The letter was addressed to Rebecca.
I unfolded it.
*Rebecca, if Evelyn has, and a folded letter.
I recognized my father's handwriting.
The letter was addressed to Rebecca.
I unfolded it.
Rebecca, if Evelyn has found Daniel, she will eventually come for Marcus too. She believes the children are the only found Daniel, she will eventually come for Marcus too. She believes the children are the only way to access the trust. I have moved the original documents somewhere she will never look.
I way to access the trust. I have moved the original documents somewhere she will never look.*
I read the final sentence twice.
*The truth is in the place where the children first learned to breathe read the final sentence twice.
The truth is in the place where the children first learned to breathe.
I looked up.
“What does that mean?””
Rebecca's eyes widened.
“The hospital.””
“What hospital?””
“.*
I looked up.
“What does that mean?””
Rebecca's eyes widened.
“The hospital.””
“What hospital?””
“St. Catherine's. The hospital where you and Daniel were born.””
Detective Collins immediately stood.
“Is it still operating?””
“Yes.””
“Do you know where the original records are kept?””
Rebecca shook her head.
“No. But Thomas wasSt. Catherine's. The hospital where you and Daniel were born.””
Detective Collins immediately stood.
“Is it still operating?””
“Yes.””
“Do you know where the original records are kept?””
Rebecca shook her head.
“No. But Thomas was a member of the hospital's founding board. He helped build the neonatal wing.””
I looked at the letter again.
The place a member of the hospital's founding board. He helped build the neonatal wing.””
I looked at the letter again.
The place where the children first learned to breathe.
My father had hidden something at the hospital.
Something Evelyn wanted.
Something Daniel had been willing where the children first learned to breathe.
My father had hidden something at the hospital.
Something Evelyn wanted.
Something Daniel had been willing to kill for.
Then Rebecca reached into the wooden box again.
She removed a second photograph.
It showed my father standing to kill for.
Then Rebecca reached into the wooden box again.
She removed a second photograph.
It showed my father standing beside two women.
One was Rebecca.
The other was Evelyn.
But behind them stood a young girl.
Perhaps ten years old.
I stared at her.
“Who is that?””
Rebecca's face turned beside two women.
One was Rebecca.
The other was Evelyn.
But behind them stood a young girl.
Perhaps ten years old.
I stared at her.
“Who is that?””
Rebecca's face turned pale.
“My daughter.””
I frowned.
“You had another child?””
She nodded.
“After the twins.””
I looked at the photograph again pale.
“My daughter.””
I frowned.
“You had another child?””
She nodded.
“After the twins.””
I looked at the photograph again.
The little girl had the same crescent-shaped scar above her eyebrow.
The same eyes.
The same facial features as Nia.
I turned toward Rebecca.
“What was her name?””
Rebecca.
The little girl had the same crescent-shaped scar above her eyebrow.
The same eyes.
The same facial features as Nia.
I turned toward Rebecca.
“What was her name?””
Rebecca whispered:
“Evelyn took her when she was three.””
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“Why?””
“Because whispered:
“Evelyn took her when she was three.””
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“Why?””
“Because Evelyn said she was helping me. She said the girl would have a better life.””
Rebecca began shaking.
“I never saw her again.””
I stared at the photograph.
Then at Nia.
Nia was Evelyn said she was helping me. She said the girl would have a better life.””
Rebecca began shaking.
“I never saw her again.””
I stared at the photograph.
Then at Nia.
Nia was crying.
“Marcus…”
I slowly turned toward her.
“What?””
She looked at Rebecca.
Then whispered:
“Her name was Evelyn Carter.””
My mind crying.
“Marcus…”
I slowly turned toward her.
“What?””
She looked at Rebecca.
Then whispered:
“Her name was Evelyn Carter.””
My mind went blank.
I looked at my mother-in-law's photograph.
Then at my wife.
Then back at Rebecca.
The woman who had raised went blank.
I looked at my mother-in-law's photograph.
Then at my wife.
Then back at Rebecca.
The woman who had raised Nia had stolen Rebecca's daughter.
The same woman who had helped bury Nia alive.
But that wasn't the worst part.
Rebecca reached across the table and took my hand.
“ Nia had stolen Rebecca's daughter.
The same woman who had helped bury Nia alive.
But that wasn't the worst part.
Rebecca reached across the table and took my hand.
“Marcus, there's something else.””
I swallowed.
“What?””
She looked at Nia.
Then at me.
“EMarcus, there's something else.””
I swallowed.
“What?””
She looked at Nia.
Then at me.
“Evelyn isn't your wife's biological mother.””
Nia began sobbing.
Rebecca's voice broke.
“She isvelyn isn't your wife's biological mother.””
Nia began sobbing.
May you like
Rebecca's voice broke.
“She is her biological grandmother.””
