Chapter 12: The Sister Hidden Behind## Chapter 12: The Sister Hidden Behind a False a False Name
Nia didn't remember Name
Nia didn't remember the drive back to the city.
She remembered the photograph.
Two little the drive back to the city.
She remembered the photograph.
Two little girls beside a hospital bed. Two identical crescent-shaped birthmarks. Two names written on the back in handwriting girls beside a hospital bed.
Two identical crescent-shaped birthmarks. Two names written on the back in handwriting she had never seen before.
*Grace she had never seen before.
Grace's daughters.
She sat in the rear of the police vehicle with Lily asleep against her chest, while Detective Brooks examined the photograph beneath the's daughters.*
She sat in the rear of the police vehicle with Lily asleep against her chest, while Detective Brooks examined the photograph beneath the overhead light.
“Michael says he believes these are twins,” Brooks said.
“But we need to verify that.””
“Why would overhead light.
“Michael says he believes these are twins,” Brooks said.
“But we need to verify that.””
“Why would my mother hide one of her children?””
“We don't know that she did.””
“Charles said my sister disappeared.””
“He also has a my mother hide one of her children?””
“We don't know that she did.””
“Charles said my sister disappeared.””
“He also has a documented history of lying. We need evidence before we accept his version.””
Nia stared out at the passing street documented history of lying. We need evidence before we accept his version.””
Nia stared out at the passing streetlights.
For twenty-eight years, she had believed she was an only child who had been adopted into alights.
For twenty-eight years, she had believed she was an only child who had been adopted into a loving family.
Now she was discovering that her birth records had been altered, her loving family.
Now she was discovering that her birth records had been altered, her biological family had concealed her existence, and someone might have taken her sister before either child biological family had concealed her existence, and someone might have taken her sister before either child was old enough to remember.
She looked down at Lily.
“I'm sorry was old enough to remember.
She looked down at Lily.
“I'm sorry, sweetheart,” she whispered.
“I thought I was going to find your father. Instead, I'm finding, sweetheart,” she whispered.
“I thought I was going to find your father. Instead, I'm finding a whole family of people who don't know how to tell the truth.””
Lily a whole family of people who don't know how to tell the truth.””
Lily made a small sound in her sleep.
Nia kissed her forehead.
Whatever happened next, she would not let made a small sound in her sleep.
Nia kissed her forehead.
Whatever happened next, she would not let anyone turn her daughter into another missing name in a anyone turn her daughter into another missing name in a sealed file.
At the station, Brielle was waiting with a laptop open sealed file.
At the station, Brielle was waiting with a laptop open on the conference table.
“I found something,” she said before Nia had even taken off her coat on the conference table.
“I found something,” she said before Nia had even taken off her coat.
Brooks approached.
“Where did you get that?””
“My mother's old family archive. The account.
Brooks approached.
“Where did you get that?””
“My mother's old family archive. The account was still connected to the foundation's was still connected to the foundation's document server.””
“Did you access it with authorization?””
Brielle hesitated.
“My mother document server.””
“Did you access it with authorization?””
Brielle hesitated.
“My mother gave me access years ago. I used my own credentials.””
Brooks looked at her sternly.
“Don't gave me access years ago. I used my own credentials.””
Brooks looked at her sternly.
“Don't access anything else without speaking to us first.””
“I access anything else without speaking to us first.””
“I won't.””
Brielle turned the laptop toward Nia.
The screen displayed a scanned page from won't.””
Brielle turned the laptop toward Nia.
The screen displayed a scanned page from an old hospital register.
Two births had been recorded on October 14, twenty an old hospital register.
Two births had been recorded on October 14, twenty-eight years earlier.
The first entry listed a female infant under-eight years earlier.
The first entry listed a female infant under the temporary name Grace Reed.
The second listed another female infant under a different identifier.
The mother's the temporary name Grace Reed.
The second listed another female infant under a different identifier.
The mother's name was Eleanor Ashford.
The father's name was blank.
Nia leaned closer.
“What does the second entry say?””
Brielle enlarged the image.
The second child's temporary name name was Eleanor Ashford.
The father's name was blank.
Nia leaned closer.
“What does the second entry say?””
Brielle enlarged the image.
The second child's temporary name was *Elena Grace Reed was Elena Grace Reed*.
Beneath it, someone had typed a note.
Transferred*.
Beneath it, someone had typed a note.
Transferred to private guardianship following medical complications.
N to private guardianship following medical complications.*
Nia's stomach tightened.
“Transferred where?””
Brielle opened the linked file.
A scanned guardianship order appeared.
The document authorized the transfer of the second infant to a private medical facility operated by the Whitmore Institute.
Nia felt her skin go cold.
“They took my sister to the institute?””
“That's what the document appears to say,” Brooks replied.
“But the transfer may have been administrative rather thania's stomach tightened.
“Transferred where?””
Brielle opened the linked file.
A scanned guardianship order appeared.
The document authorized the transfer of the second infant to a private medical facility operated by the Whitmore Institute.
Nia felt her skin go cold.
“They took my sister to the institute?””
“That's what the document appears to say,” Brooks replied.
“But the transfer may have been administrative rather than physical. We need the original records.””
Brielle scrolled farther.
A second document appeared.
It was a payment authorization signed by Charles Whitmore.
The amount was $250 physical. We need the original records.””
Brielle scrolled farther.
A second document appeared.
It was a payment authorization signed by Charles Whitmore.
The amount was $250,000.
The recipient was a private guardianship agency.
The payment date was three days after the twins' birth.
Nia covered her mouth.
“Someone paid to make my sister disappear.””
“Poss,000.
The recipient was a private guardianship agency.
The payment date was three days after the twins' birth.
Nia covered her mouth.
“Someone paid to make my sister disappear.””
“Possibly,” Brooks said.
“Or someone paid for private medical care. We need to establish what happened.””
Brielle looked at her.
“I know you're angry with my family. You have every reason to be. But I promise you, I never knew any of this existed.””
Nia looked at the screen.
“I'm not angry because you're an Ashford. I'mibly,” Brooks said.
“Or someone paid for private medical care. We need to establish what happened.””
Brielle looked at her.
“I know you're angry with my family. You have every reason to be. But I promise you, I never knew any of this existed.””
Nia looked at the screen.
“I'm not angry because you're an Ashford. I'm angry because every time I discover something, I find another person who decided I wasn't entitled to know the truth angry because every time I discover something, I find another person who decided I wasn't entitled to know the truth.””
Brielle lowered her eyes.
“I understand.””
“No.””
Brielle lowered her eyes.
“I understand.””
“No,” Nia replied quietly.
“You don't. But you can help me find her.””
Brielle nodded.
“Tell me what you need.””
Brooks closed the laptop.
“First, we need to verify the identity of the second child. Then we need to trace the guardianship agency.””
She made two calls.
Within half an hour, an investigator located the agency named in,” Nia replied quietly.
“You don't. But you can help me find her.””
Brielle nodded.
“Tell me what you need.””
Brooks closed the laptop.
“First, we need to verify the identity of the second child. Then we need to trace the guardianship agency.””
She made two calls.
Within half an hour, an investigator located the agency named in the document. It had closed fifteen years earlier, but its archived records had been transferred to the document. It had closed fifteen years earlier, but its archived records had been transferred to a county storage facility.
A search request was submitted.
The response arrived just before a county storage facility.
A search request was submitted.
The response arrived just before midnight.
The agency's records confirmed that the second infant had been placed with a private family under a sealed identity.
The adoptive midnight.
The agency's records confirmed that the second infant had been placed with a private family under a sealed identity.
The adoptive parents had later moved overseas.
Their daughter had grown up under a different parents had later moved overseas.
Their daughter had grown up under a different name.
And according to the most recent record, she was alive.
Nia gripped the table.
“ name.
And according to the most recent record, she was alive.
Nia gripped the table.
“Where is she?””
The investigator read the address aloud.
A residential street inWhere is she?””
The investigator read the address aloud.
A residential street in Boston.
Nia stared at the paper.
“Can we contact her Boston.
Nia stared at the paper.
“Can we contact her?””
“We can make an inquiry through the appropriate channels,” Brooks replied?””
“We can make an inquiry through the appropriate channels,” Brooks replied.
“But she is an adult. She has a right to decide whether she.
“But she is an adult. She has a right to decide whether she wants contact.””
Nia swallowed.
Of course she did.
After everything wants contact.””
Nia swallowed.
Of course she did.
After everything her family had done, Nia wasn't going to repeat their mistakes by deciding that blood gave her her family had done, Nia wasn't going to repeat their mistakes by deciding that blood gave her ownership over another person's life.
“Then tell her the truth ownership over another person's life.
“Then tell her the truth,” she said.
“Tell her she may have a twin sister. Tell her I,” she said.
“Tell her she may have a twin sister. Tell her I want to meet her, but I won't force her.””
Brooks nodded.
“We'll handle it want to meet her, but I won't force her.””
Brooks nodded.
“We'll handle it carefully.””
For the first time in days, Nia felt something other than fear.
Hope.
Small, carefully.””
For the first time in days, Nia felt something other than fear.
Hope.
Small, fragile hope.
Perhaps her sister had grown up loved. Perhaps she had a family who had never lied to fragile hope.
Perhaps her sister had grown up loved. Perhaps she had a family who had never lied to her. Perhaps she had never heard of the Whitmores or the institute.
Perhaps the two her. Perhaps she had never heard of the Whitmores or the institute.
Perhaps the two of them could meet without another secret waiting between them.
Then the investigator returned to of them could meet without another secret waiting between them.
Then the investigator returned to the room.
“There is a complication.””
Nia closed her eyes.
“Of course there is.””
“The woman listed the room.
“There is a complication.””
Nia closed her eyes.
“Of course there is.””
“The woman listed as the second child is currently employed by the Whitmore Medical Research Center.””
Silence filled the room.
B as the second child is currently employed by the Whitmore Medical Research Center.””
Silence filled the room.
Brielle stood.
“That can't be right.””
“The records were updated sixrielle stood.
“That can't be right.””
“The records were updated six months ago. She is listed as a senior genetic counselor under the name Dr. Elena Grace Morgan months ago.
She is listed as a senior genetic counselor under the name Dr. Elena Grace Morgan.””
Nia felt the blood drain from her face.
“She's a doctor?””
“Yes.””
“And she works at the institute that.””
Nia felt the blood drain from her face.
“She's a doctor?””
“Yes.””
“And she works at the institute that took my daughter's blood?””
“Yes.””
Brooks immediately picked up her phone.
“Contact the institute's current administrator took my daughter's blood?””
“Yes.””
Brooks immediately picked up her phone.
“Contact the institute's current administrator. We need to establish whether Dr. Morgan is still on the premises.””
The investigator. We need to establish whether Dr. Morgan is still on the premises.””
The investigator checked his screen.
“She is.””
Nia stared at the address.
Her sister had been alive all these checked his screen.
“She is.””
Nia stared at the address.
Her sister had been alive all these years.
She had grown up, studied medicine, and built a career.
And years.
She had grown up, studied medicine, and built a career.
And somehow, she had ended up working inside the same institution that had concealed their somehow, she had ended up working inside the same institution that had concealed their birth records.
“Does she know who she is?”” Nia asked.
“We don't know.””
Bri birth records.
“Does she know who she is?”” Nia asked.
“We don't know.””
Brielle looked sick.
“What if she was told a different story about her birth?””
Niaelle looked sick.
“What if she was told a different story about her birth?””
Nia remembered Eleanor's confession, Michael's returned letters, and the documents remembered Eleanor's confession, Michael's returned letters, and the documents Charles had tried to hide.
“What if she was told that I was dead?””
Brooks made another call.
A moment later, her expression Charles had tried to hide.
“What if she was told that I was dead?””
Brooks made another call.
A moment later, her expression changed.
“What is it?”” Nia asked.
“The institute says Dr. Morgan left work changed.
“What is it?”” Nia asked.
“The institute says Dr. Morgan left work two hours ago.””
“Where did she go?””
“Her office manager says she received a two hours ago.””
“Where did she go?””
“Her office manager says she received a call from Charles Whitmore and immediately packed her belongings.””
Nia stood.
“Can we find her?””
“We're working on it.””
Then N call from Charles Whitmore and immediately packed her belongings.””
Nia stood.
“Can we find her?””
“We're working on it.””
Then Nia's phone rang.
An unfamiliar number.
She answered before Brooks could stop her.
“ia's phone rang.
An unfamiliar number.
She answered before Brooks could stop her.
“Hello?””
A woman's voice came through the speaker.
“Nia Bennett?””
Nia's heart hammered.
“Yes.””
“My nameHello?””
A woman's voice came through the speaker.
“Nia Bennett?””
Nia's heart hammered.
“Yes.””
“My name is Elena Morgan. I believe we may be related.””
Nia gripped the phone with both is Elena Morgan. I believe we may be related.””
Nia gripped the phone with both hands.
“Are you my sister?””
The woman was silent for several seconds.
Then she whispered, “That's what I was told.””
Nia hands.
“Are you my sister?””
The woman was silent for several seconds.
Then she whispered, “That's what I was told.””
Nia closed her eyes.
“I've been looking for you.””
“No,” Elena replied.
“You haven't. Because closed her eyes.
“I've been looking for you.””
“No,” Elena replied.
“You haven't. Because until this morning, you didn't know I existed.””
The words hurt because they were true.
Nia took a until this morning, you didn't know I existed.””
The words hurt because they were true.
Nia took a breath.
“I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say.””
“Neither do I breath.
“I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say.””
“Neither do I.””
A faint sound came through the line.
A door closing.
Then Elena spoke again, her.””
A faint sound came through the line.
A door closing.
Then Elena spoke again, her voice suddenly urgent.
“Listen carefully. Charles told me you were dead. He said your mother gave you voice suddenly urgent.
“Listen carefully. Charles told me you were dead. He said your mother gave you up because you were born with a condition that made you dangerous to the family.””
Nia felt sick.
“That isn't up because you were born with a condition that made you dangerous to the family.””
Nia felt sick.
“That isn't true.””
“I know that now.””
“How?””
“Because I found the original genetic files. The results were true.””
“I know that now.””
“How?””
“Because I found the original genetic files. The results were altered, and your daughter was used to conceal the manipulation.””
Nia looked at altered, and your daughter was used to conceal the manipulation.””
Nia looked at Brooks, who was motioning for her to keep Elena talking while the officers traced the call.
“What do Brooks, who was motioning for her to keep Elena talking while the officers traced the call.
“What do you know about Lily?””
“Only what I read in the records. They were looking for a genetic connection to Ethan you know about Lily?””
“Only what I read in the records. They were looking for a genetic connection to Ethan. They believed your daughter might provide it.””
“And why did they hide you?””
Elena's breathing grew. They believed your daughter might provide it.””
“And why did they hide you?””
Elena's breathing grew uneven.
“Because I wasn't the child they intended to keep.””
Nia froze.
“What does that mean?””
“I was uneven.
“Because I wasn't the child they intended to keep.””
Nia froze.
“What does that mean?””
“I was transferred to the institute as an infant. My adoptive parents were told I needed specialized care transferred to the institute as an infant. My adoptive parents were told I needed specialized care. They never knew about the guardianship arrangement.””
Nia pressed her hand over. They never knew about the guardianship arrangement.””
Nia pressed her hand over her mouth.
“Were you experimented on?””
“No. Not as far as I know. But my genetic records her mouth.
“Were you experimented on?””
“No. Not as far as I know. But my genetic records were used in research without my knowledge.
I only discovered the truth when I found a file with were used in research without my knowledge. I only discovered the truth when I found a file with both our names.””
Nia's eyes filled with tears.
“Where are you now?””
both our names.””
Nia's eyes filled with tears.
“Where are you now?””
“I can't tell you.””
“Please. I just want to meet you.””
“I know.””
Elena's voice broke.
“But Charles is looking for me, and“I can't tell you.””
“Please. I just want to meet you.””
“I know.””
Elena's voice broke.
“But Charles is looking for me, and he believes I have the original records.””
“Do you?””
“Yes.””
“Then give them he believes I have the original records.””
“Do you?””
“Yes.””
“Then give them to the police.””
“I can't. Not yet.””
“Why?””
“Because the records don't just expose what happened to the police.””
“I can't. Not yet.””
“Why?””
“Because the records don't just expose what happened to us. They expose what happened to Ethan.””
Nia remembered Michael's words.
Ethan had challenged the diagnosis.
He had discovered something about to us. They expose what happened to Ethan.””
Nia remembered Michael's words.
Ethan had challenged the diagnosis.
He had discovered something about the institute.
Then he had disappeared from public records.
“What happened to my brother?””
Elena fell silent.
When she finally the institute.
Then he had disappeared from public records.
“What happened to my brother?””
Elena fell silent.
When she finally spoke, her voice was barely audible.
“Ethan didn't die from the condition listed on his death certificate.””
N spoke, her voice was barely audible.
“Ethan didn't die from the condition listed on his death certificate.””
Nia's blood ran cold.
“What killed him?””
Before Elena could answer, another voice interrupted the callia's blood ran cold.
“What killed him?””
Before Elena could answer, another voice interrupted the call.
A man's voice.
Calm. Familiar.
Charles Whitmore.
“That's enough, Elena.””
The line crackled.
Nia.
A man's voice.
Calm. Familiar.
Charles Whitmore.
“That's enough, Elena.””
The line crackled.
Nia heard a struggle, followed by a sharp crash.
“Hello?”” she shouted.
“Elena!””
For heard a struggle, followed by a sharp crash.
“Hello?”” she shouted.
“Elena!””
For two seconds, there was only static.
Then her sister whispered one final two seconds, there was only static.
Then her sister whispered one final sentence.
“Nia, if you want to save Lily, find the woman who sentence.
“Nia, if you want to save Lily, find the woman who signed Ethan's original death certificate.””
The call disconnected.
Brooks immediately turned toward the officers.
“Trace signed Ethan's original death certificate.””
The call disconnected.
Brooks immediately turned toward the officers.
“Trace that number. Get a unit to Dr. that number.
Get a unit to Dr. Morgan's last known location.””
Nia stood motionless, the phone pressed to her ear.
Her sister was alive.
Her brother might not have died as everyone claimed.
Morgan's last known location.””
Nia stood motionless, the phone pressed to her ear.
Her sister was alive.
Her brother might not have died as everyone claimed.
And the man who had tried to take Lily now knew that both women had discovered the truth.
Then another message appeared onAnd the man who had tried to take Lily now knew that both women had discovered the truth.
Then another message appeared on Nia's screen.
It contained a photograph of Lily's hospital bracelet.
Bene Nia's screen.
It contained a photograph of Lily's hospital bracelet.
Beneath it were eight words.
**You have until sunrise to return what belongs to us.ath it were eight words.
*You have until sunrise to return what belongs to us.*
Nia looked at Brooks.
For the first time, she wasn't afraid of what the Whitmores might reveal about her**
Nia looked at Brooks.
For the first time, she wasn't afraid of what the Whitmores might reveal about her family.
May you like
She was afraid of what they might do to her daughter before morning. family.
She was afraid of what they might do to her daughter before morning.
