Chapter 8: The Blood Test
Nobody breathed.
Marcus looked at Diane.
Then Daniel.
Then Vanessa.
The accusation seemed to hang above them.
“The person who took my father is here?””
Daniel nodded.
“Who?””
Diane stepped backward.
“Daniel, don't.””
Marcus's eyes locked onto her.
“Mom.””
She shook her head.
“I didn't take him.””
Daniel's voice was cold.
“You helped them.””
“I had no choice.””
“You always say that.””
Marcus stepped between them.
“Stop.””
He looked at Diane.
“Who?””
Diane's lips trembled.
“I made a deal.””
“With whom?””
“The people who were after the vault.””
Marcus felt his stomach turn.
“What did you trade?””
Diane couldn't look at him.
“You.””
Silence.
Vanessa gasped.
Marcus stared.
“Me?””
“I gave them information about you.””
Daniel shouted, “Diane!””
“I didn't know they would take him!””
Marcus backed away.
“You traded information about me to save yourself?””
“No.””
“Then why?””
“To keep you alive.””
“How?””
Diane's voice broke.
“They wanted your father because he knew the vault's location.””
Marcus looked at Daniel.
“And you let them take him?””
“I tried to stop them.””
“You said you watched the factory burn.””
“I arrived too late.””
“You saw him walk out.””
“Yes.””
“And you did nothing?””
“I followed them.””
“Where?””
“To the old Hartwell estate.””
Marcus frowned.
“What happened there?””
Daniel looked toward the stairs.
“I found your father.””
“Alive?””
“Yes.””
“What did he say?””
“He told me to leave.””
“Why?””
“Because he knew they were watching me.””
Marcus stared.
“And then?””
Daniel's jaw tightened.
“I heard a gunshot.””
Diane closed her eyes.
Marcus whispered, “Did he die?””
“I never saw his body.””
A sharp silence followed.
Vanessa spoke.
“So he could still be alive.””
Daniel looked at her.
“Yes.””
Marcus's phone buzzed.
Another message.
*OLD HARTWELL ESTATE. MIDNIGHT.*
He looked at the clock.
11:41 p.m.
Marcus grabbed his keys.
Diane blocked the stairs.
“No.””
“Move.””
“Marcus, please.””
“You've had thirty years to protect me.””
She shook her head.
“And I failed.””
“Yes.””
The word broke her.
Marcus softened for half a second.
Then he stepped around her.
Daniel followed.
“I'm coming.””
Marcus turned.
“No.””
“If your father is alive, I need to find him too.””
“You've lied to me all night.””
“I know.””
“Why should I trust you?””
Daniel stared at him.
“You shouldn't.””
That answer stopped Marcus.
Daniel continued.
“But you should know one thing.””
“What?””
“I've spent eight years trying to find your father.””
Marcus studied him.
“Why?””
Daniel's eyes filled.
“Because he saved my life.””
Marcus said nothing.
Daniel looked at Diane.
“And because I failed to save his.””
They left the basement.
Vanessa followed.
Marcus turned.
“You stay here.””
“No.””
“Vanessa.””
“I know something you don't.””
Marcus stopped.
“What?””
She reached into her purse.
Pulled out a folded document.
“I found this in James's hotel room.””
Marcus took it.
A laboratory report.
His eyes scanned the page.
*PATERNITY ANALYSIS*
The names were partly obscured.
One was clearly visible:
*MARCUS HARTWELL*
The second name was blurred.
Marcus looked at Vanessa.
“Whose test is this?””
“I don't know.””
He looked down again.
A line near the bottom caught his eye.
*Probability of biological relationship: 99.98%*
Marcus's heart slammed against his ribs.
Daniel took the paper.
His face changed.
“This is impossible.””
Diane grabbed it.
She read the report.
Her knees nearly buckled.
Marcus caught her.
“Mom?””
She looked at him.
“I knew.””
The words were barely audible.
Marcus froze.
“You knew who my father was.””
Diane began crying.
“Yes.””
“Who?””
She looked toward Daniel.
Daniel shook his head.
“Tell him.””
Diane closed her eyes.
“Your father is…”
A loud crash came from the driveway.
Everyone turned.
The mansion lights went dark again.
Marcus rushed to the window.
The black SUVs were gone.
The gate stood open.
Vanessa whispered, “They're here.””
Marcus turned.
“Who?””
She pointed toward the road.
Three headlights appeared in the darkness.
A vehicle approached slowly.
Then stopped.
A man stepped out.
Marcus couldn't see his face.
But he recognized the walk.
Daniel went rigid.
“No.””
Marcus looked at him.
“You know him?””
Daniel whispered, “Yes.””
The man entered the poolside light.
Marcus's heart stopped.
He had the same eyes.
The same jawline.
The same small scar near his mouth.
Daniel whispered, “That's him.””
Diane began sobbing.
Marcus stared at the stranger.
“My father?””
The man smiled.
“Yes.””
Marcus took one step forward.
Then the man lifted his hand.
“Don't come closer.””
Marcus stopped.
“Why?””
The man looked at Diane.
“Because she still hasn't told you the worst part.””
Diane shook her head.
“Please.””
The man pulled a small envelope from his coat.
He held it up.
“Ask your mother who the child in this photograph really is.””
Marcus looked at Diane.
“What child?””
May you like
The man smiled.
“Not you.””
