Chapter 8: The Man in the Hospital Photograph
Dad didn't drive home immediately.
Instead, he pulled into a quiet parking lot beside a small shopping center and switched off the engine.
For several minutes, he sat gripping the steering wheel.
I had never seen him look so frightened.
"Daddy?""
He turned toward me.
"Emily, I need you to understand something. Daniel was my younger brother. He loved you. He was around when you were little, but he died before you started kindergarten.""
"Why would Mom write that I couldn't find out who my real father was?""
Dad looked away.
"I don't know.""
"But you look like you know something.""
He closed his eyes.
"Your mother and Daniel were very close.""
"How close?""
"Closer than most sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.""
I stared at him.
"Are you saying he was my father?""
Dad didn't answer.
That silence told me more than any explanation could have.
I stepped back against the seat.
"No.""
"Emily—"
"No! You told me you were my father!""
"I raised you. I have loved you every day of your life.""
"That's not what I asked!""
His eyes filled with tears.
"I don't know whether Daniel was your biological father. Your mother never told me.""
I looked out the window.
The man who had taught me to ride a bicycle, helped me with algebra, and sat beside Mom during her final days might not have been my biological father.
But he was still the only father I had ever known.
And somehow that made everything more painful.
When we finally arrived at Richard's office, the attorney was waiting with a large evidence envelope.
He removed a photograph and placed it on the table.
It showed my mother standing outside a hospital room.
She looked thinner than I remembered, but she was smiling.
Behind her stood Daniel.
My uncle wore a navy sweater and held a paper coffee cup.
I examined the photograph.
"Why would this be hidden?""
Richard turned it over.
The handwritten message was clear.
*The girl must never find out who her real father is.*
Below it was another sentence.
*Rebecca knows the truth.*
Dad lowered himself into a chair.
"That's impossible.""
Richard looked at him.
"Why?""
"Because Daniel died two years before Emily was born.""
I stared at Dad.
"What?""
He nodded slowly.
"Daniel died in March. You were born the following November.""
I looked back at the photograph.
"Then why was he at Mom's hospital?""
"Your mother was receiving treatment during her pregnancy. Daniel visited her frequently.""
Richard removed another document.
"This is a copy of Daniel's last will.""
Dad looked surprised.
"Why do you have that?""
"Because Rebecca submitted a claim against his estate shortly after his death.""
He turned to a particular page.
"Daniel left a significant portion of his estate to an unnamed child, provided that the child was born within twelve months of his death.""
My heart pounded.
"An unnamed child?""
Richard nodded.
"The estate administrator never received a birth certificate identifying the beneficiary.""
Dad stared at the page.
"Laura was pregnant when Daniel died.""
I felt my hands go cold.
"Then the money...""
"Was placed in a separate custodial account," Richard explained.
"It remained untouched because nobody completed the beneficiary verification.""
I looked at Dad.
"Did Mom know?""
He nodded slowly.
"She must have.""
Richard continued.
"That account may explain why Rebecca was so interested in Emily's inheritance. It also explains the reference to a second account.""
Dad stood.
"How much money?""
Richard checked the paperwork.
"The original value was approximately $180,000. With accumulated interest and investment growth, the estimated current value could be considerably higher.""
I barely heard him.
All I could think about was Daniel.
I remembered a man with dark hair who used to lift me onto his shoulders. I remembered him bringing me little toy airplanes and calling me his favorite girl.
I had thought he was simply my uncle.
A knock interrupted us.
A woman entered carrying a sealed envelope.
"I'm looking for Michael Carter.""
Dad stood.
"That's me.""
She introduced herself as an investigator with the county sheriff's office.
"Mr. Carter, we've located Rebecca.""
"Where?""
"At a rental property outside Gainesville.""
"Has she been arrested?""
"Not yet. We're speaking with her regarding several financial transactions.""
The investigator placed the envelope on the table.
"She asked us to deliver this to Emily.""
I stared at it.
My name was written across the front.
Inside was a photograph of a little girl sitting on a wooden dock.
Me.
I recognized the lake immediately.
Lake Lanier.
On the back was a short message.
*The blue book is under the floorboard of the old cabin. Your mother hid the truth there.*
I looked up.
"Who owns the cabin now?""
The investigator checked her notes.
"According to the property records, it's registered to Rebecca Carter.""
Dad grabbed his jacket.
"Then we're going there.""
The investigator raised her hand.
"Mr. Carter, I strongly advise against approaching the property without assistance.""
Richard agreed.
"We'll arrange for the authorities to accompany us.""
But as we were preparing to leave, Dad's phone rang.
A number from Rebecca's location appeared.
He answered.
A man's voice spoke.
"Michael Carter?""
"Who is this?""
"My name is Thomas Reed. I worked for your brother.""
Dad froze.
Thomas continued.
"I've been waiting twenty years to speak with you. I know who Emily's biological father is.""
Dad gripped the phone.
"Tell me.""
The man hesitated.
May you like
Then he said:
"Your brother wasn't the only man Laura was seeing.""
