Chapter 4 - There Was No Death CertificateThe state records office confirmed it the next morning.
No death certificate existed for Finley’s twin.
There was no legal record of a child dying under Claire Vale’s name on October 14, 2016.
There was, however, a second birth registration.
It had been sealed by court order.
Everett’s attorney, Cynthia Park, stared at the screen.
“That requires a judge.”
“Get one.”
“We need grounds.”
Everett slid copies of the hospital log across her desk.
“Try kidnapping my son.”
Cynthia did not react to the anger.
“That may be where this goes. But right now, we have irregular records and a sealed birth.”
“Then unseal it.”
“I’ll file today.”
Detective Moreno was doing the same through law enforcement channels.
Harrison had hired attorneys before breakfast.
Everett knew because one of them called requesting a “family meeting.”
He refused.
Octavia remained under investigation.
The unidentified tablets had tested as a prescription sleep medication.
Not prescribed to her.
That made the hallway incident worse.
Octavia claimed she had intended to take one herself.
Finley’s account contradicted her.
Police had not yet charged her with attempting to administer it because intent was still being established, but child endangerment and assault-related questions remained open.
Everett cared about the legal labels less than one thing:
Octavia would not come near Finley.
He returned home at noon.
Finley had not gone to school.
Everett had taken leave from work indefinitely.
His board could survive without him.
His son needed a father who stayed in the room.
Finley sat at the kitchen island drawing.
Two boys.
Same face.
Different shirts.
Everett sat beside him.
“Who’s that?”
“Me.”
“And?”
“Sawyer.”
“You haven’t met him.”
“I know.”
“Then how do you know what shirt he wears?”
Finley shrugged.
“He has a red one in the picture.”
Fair.
Then Finley asked:
“Who is his dad?”
Everett swallowed.
“That’s something we’re finding out.”
“Are you his dad?”
Biologically, almost certainly.
Emotionally?
Legally?
Everett had no idea.
“I think I’m his biological father.”
Finley frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“It means I helped make him the same way I helped make you.”
“Then you’re his dad.”
Children made complicated things simple.
Everett chose not to correct him harshly.
“He may have another dad too.”
“How can you have two?”
“You can have more than one person who loves you like a father.”
Finley considered.
“Like Grandpa Harrison?”
Everett’s chest tightened.
Harrison had been a father figure after Everett’s own father died.
Now the name felt contaminated.
“Maybe not exactly like him.”
Finley noticed.
“Are you mad at Grandpa?”
“Yes.”
“Because he took Sawyer?”
“I don’t know exactly what he did yet.”
“But Octavia said.”
“Octavia has lied.”
“So maybe she lied about that too.”
Everett looked at his son.
Possible.
Important.
“I hope so.”
His phone rang.
Cynthia.
“We got the sealed record.”
Everett stood.
“What does it say?”
“Come to my office.”
“Tell me.”
“Everett.”
“Please.”
She exhaled.
“Baby B was registered as Sawyer James Frost.”
Frost.
Not Vale.
“Parents?”
“Legal parents listed after adoption are Daniel and Miriam Frost.”
“Where?”
“Naperville.”
Thirty miles away.
Everett gripped the counter.
“Address?”
“I’m not giving it to you.”
“Cynthia.”
“You will not drive there.”
“That is my son.”
“It may be your biological child being raised by people who believe he is theirs.”
Everett went silent.
She continued.
“If they were lied to, storming onto their property could traumatize Sawyer and Finley.”
The truth hurt because it was true.
“What does the adoption say?”
“Private placement.”
“Birth mother?”
“Confidential.”
“Consent?”
“Signed.”
“By Claire?”
Silence.
Everett’s stomach dropped.
“Cynthia.”
“The document carries Claire’s signature.”
“No.”
“And yours.”
Everett stopped breathing.
“I never signed an adoption.”
“I know.”
“You know?”
“I’ve seen your signature for twelve years.”
“Then?”
“I think both signatures should be examined.”
Everett’s anger became colder.
“Who notarized them?”
Cynthia hesitated.
“August Pierce.”
Everett knew him immediately.
Harrison Vale’s personal attorney.
Now retired.
The man who had handled Claire’s estate.
Another person Everett had trusted.
“Find him.”
“Police already are.”
A second call came through.
Detective Moreno.
Everett switched.
“We located Octavia’s second phone.”
“What?”
“She had a prepaid device hidden in her car.”
“Messages?”
“Yes.”
“With Harrison?”
“Several.”
“About Sawyer?”
Moreno’s voice became grim.
“About Finley.”
Everett felt cold.
“What did they say?”
“One message from Harrison yesterday afternoon.”
Moreno read:
If Finley has seen the photograph, keep him calm until I arrive. Do not let Everett find the file.
Everett looked toward his son.
“Anything else?”
“Yes.”
Octavia’s response:
What if he asks why they were separated?
Harrison:
He is ten. Tell him nothing. We have protected both boys this long.
Everett’s jaw tightened.
“Protected.”
“There’s another message.”
“What?”
“Octavia asked what happens if you demand DNA.”
Everett waited.
Harrison responded:
Then everything Claire died trying to uncover becomes public.
Everett went still.
Not everything Claire discovered.
Everything she died trying to uncover.
The wording mattered.
Too much.
“Detective.”
“I heard it too.”
“Are you reopening Claire’s accident?”
May you like
A pause.
“Yes.”
Related Stories
