Chapter 10: The Baby Who Was Never Supposed to Exist
For several seconds, nobody moved.
I stood on Rachel's porch holding Emily's photograph while Vanessa stared at the words written on its back.
*THIS IS NOT THE BABY VANESSA LOST. THIS IS THE BABY SHE TRIED TO REPLACE.*
*MARCUS, THE CHILD WHO DIED WAS NEVER VANESSA'S.*
I read the sentences again.
Then I looked at Daniel.
"What does that mean?""
He rubbed his face.
"I think Emily discovered that the hospital records had been altered more than once.""
"Stop speaking in riddles. Tell me what happened.""
Vanessa suddenly laughed.
"He's not going to tell you. He was there.""
I turned toward her.
"Then you tell me.""
She looked at Maya through the doorway.
"Not in front of the child.""
Maya stepped forward.
"I'm not a baby anymore.""
Vanessa's expression tightened.
"You have no idea what you're talking about.""
"I know you threw Mommy's music box.""
For the first time, Vanessa looked away.
Rachel gently placed a hand on Maya's shoulder.
I stepped between Vanessa and my daughter.
"You're leaving.""
Vanessa held up the hospital record.
"Not until you understand what Emily did.""
Daniel finally spoke.
"Marcus, we need to verify the original delivery records. The documents Vanessa has are copies of amended records. They aren't sufficient to establish anyone's biological identity.""
"Then why did you tell me Noah was Emily's son?""
"Because Emily's investigation suggested that.""
Vanessa laughed again.
"Emily's investigation was built on lies.""
I looked at her.
"Why did you want the house?""
Her smile vanished.
"Because it belonged to my family.""
"Then why did you forge my signature?""
"Because you would never have agreed to sell it.""
"And why did you move Maya's belongings?""
She glanced toward the upstairs window.
"Because the original records were hidden in that room.""
I felt my blood boil.
"You used an eleven-year-old girl as a distraction.""
Vanessa didn't deny it.
Instead, she turned toward the street.
A black SUV was parked near the corner.
A man sat behind the wheel.
I recognized the silver watch when he raised his hand.
Richard.
Vanessa smiled faintly.
"You're running out of time, Marcus.""
I pulled out my phone.
"Detective Foster is already investigating.""
Her smile disappeared.
Then she walked toward the SUV.
Before getting inside, she turned back.
"Ask Emily why she changed the hospital records herself.""
The vehicle pulled away.
I stood there until it disappeared.
Daniel and I returned to his office.
Rachel agreed to keep Maya overnight.
Before leaving, Maya hugged me.
"You're going to find the truth, aren't you?""
I kissed her forehead.
"Every part of it.""
She looked down at the photograph.
"Mommy wouldn't have left us without a reason.""
"No," I whispered.
"She wouldn't.""
At Daniel's office, we spread the documents across the conference table.
He called the hospital archives.
After several transfers, a records supervisor agreed to speak with us.
Her name was Patricia Mills.
She sounded cautious.
"I can confirm that there were unusual amendments to the delivery records from October seventeenth, fourteen years ago.""
I leaned closer to the speaker.
"How many babies were involved?""
"Three.""
I looked at Daniel.
"Three?""
Patricia continued.
"Two mothers were admitted that night. Lucy Hart and Vanessa Cole. However, a third infant was temporarily recorded under an emergency identification number.""
"Who was the third child?""
"I can't release that information without a formal request.""
Daniel identified himself as legal counsel and explained that a police investigation was underway.
After a pause, Patricia said something unexpected.
"The third infant wasn't delivered by either woman.""
My stomach tightened.
"Then where did the baby come from?""
"The child was transferred from another hospital after a medical emergency involving the biological mother.""
I gripped the edge of the table.
"Who was the mother?""
Patricia hesitated.
Then she said:
"Emily Reed.""
The room went silent.
I stared at the phone.
"Emily gave birth to a third baby?""
"According to the original admission records, yes.""
I looked at Daniel.
He appeared just as stunned.
"Was the child male or female?"" he asked.
Patricia checked something.
"Female.""
My mind raced.
"Was that Maya?""
"I can't confirm that.""
Daniel asked for the original delivery register to be preserved.
Patricia agreed.
Then she added:
"There's something else. The original records indicate that the infant was removed from the maternity ward less than six hours after birth.""
"By whom?""
The answer came after a long pause.
"An authorized family representative.""
"Name?""
"Richard Cole.""
I slowly lowered the phone.
Daniel closed his eyes.
Richard had been there from the beginning.
Not as a contractor.
Not as an innocent witness.
As someone with direct access to the children and their records.
Detective Foster arrived at Daniel's office an hour later.
She listened to the recording from Emily's basement tape and examined the documents.
"Richard Cole is already on our radar," she said.
"We have evidence connecting him to several fraudulent guardianship arrangements.""
"What about Emily's death?"" I asked.
"We're reopening the investigation.""
"Can you arrest Vanessa?""
"Not based on what we have today. But we're moving quickly.""
I showed her the hospital photograph.
She studied it.
"Where did you get this?""
"Emily's hidden room.""
The detective turned it over.
Then her expression changed.
"Marcus, do you recognize the woman standing behind Emily?""
I examined the photograph.
At first, I saw only the hospital bed and the newborn.
Then I noticed a nurse standing near the doorway.
I recognized her face.
Patricia Mills.
The same woman who had just spoken to us on the phone.
Detective Foster looked at me.
"She was present during the original delivery.""
My phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
*YOU HAVE THE WRONG BABY. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO EMILY'S THIRD CHILD, COME TO THE OLD MATERNITY BUILDING. ALONE.*
A second message followed.
*BRING THE MUSIC BOX.*
I showed the detective.
She immediately stood.
"Don't respond.""
But before she could say anything else, my phone rang.
Maya.
I answered.
"Dad?""
"What's wrong?""
Her voice trembled.
"Someone is outside Aunt Rachel's house.""
My heart stopped.
"Who?""
"I can't see his face.""
Then I heard a man's voice in the background.
May you like
"Tell your father we only want the box.""
The call ended.
