Chapter 9: The Girl Who Wore My Daughter's Name
The police found the second bracelet inside Maya's bedroom.
It was tucked beneath the mattress, wrapped in a piece of pink fabric tucked beneath the mattress, wrapped in a piece of pink fabric.
The name printed on it was Grace Carter.
The date matched the date on the first bracelet.
October 12.
But the photograph attached.
The name printed on it was Grace Carter.
The date matched the date on the first bracelet.
October 12.
But the photograph attached to the bracelet was different.
This time, the baby had a small dark mark behind her left ear.
The same mark Maya had.
I to the bracelet was different.
This time, the baby had a small dark mark behind her left ear.
The same mark Maya had.
I sat beside Maya's hospital bed, staring at the photograph while Detective Morgan explained what the officers had found.
“Your house has been secured sat beside Maya's hospital bed, staring at the photograph while Detective Morgan explained what the officers had found.
“Your house has been secured,” she said.
“We haven't found anyone inside, but there are signs someone entered through the rear door.””
,” she said.
“We haven't found anyone inside, but there are signs someone entered through the rear door.””
“Claire?””
“We don't know.””
“Ethan?””
“We don't know that either.””
I looked“Claire?””
“We don't know.””
“Ethan?””
“We don't know that either.””
I looked at Maya.
She was awake now, watching me with worried eyes.
“Daddy, what's wrong?””
I quickly put the phone away.
“Nothing you at Maya.
She was awake now, watching me with worried eyes.
“Daddy, what's wrong?””
I quickly put the phone away.
“Nothing you need to worry about, sweetheart.””
She studied my face.
“That's what Mommy says.””
I swallowed.
“I'm sorry need to worry about, sweetheart.””
She studied my face.
“That's what Mommy says.””
I swallowed.
“I'm sorry.””
Maya looked down at her blanket.
“Are you going to tell me the truth?””
The question hurt more than.””
Maya looked down at her blanket.
“Are you going to tell me the truth?””
The question hurt more than anything else she'd said.
I moved closer.
“Yes.””
“Even anything else she'd said.
I moved closer.
“Yes.””
“Even if it's scary?””
“Even if it's scary.””
She nodded slowly.
Then she asked, “Do I have a sister?””
I froze.
“How if it's scary?””
“Even if it's scary.””
She nodded slowly.
Then she asked, “Do I have a sister?””
I froze.
“How do you know about that?””
She reached beneath her pillow and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
“I found this in my do you know about that?””
She reached beneath her pillow and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
“I found this in my backpack before we went to the hospital.””
I took it carefully.
It was a photograph of two girls standing in front of a school backpack before we went to the hospital.””
I took it carefully.
It was a photograph of two girls standing in front of a school building.
Maya stood on the left.
The girl beside her looked almost identical.
On the back was a message written in building.
Maya stood on the left.
The girl beside her looked almost identical.
On the back was a message written in childish handwriting.
I think we're sisters. Please don't tell Mommy.
I stared at the childish handwriting.
I think we're sisters. Please don't tell Mommy.
I stared at the paper.
“Who gave this to you?””
Maya shook her head.
“I don't know. It was in the front pocket.””
paper.
“Who gave this to you?””
Maya shook her head.
“I don't know. It was in the front pocket.””
“Have you seen this girl before?””
She nodded.
“At school.””
My heart pounded.
“When?””
“Last“Have you seen this girl before?””
She nodded.
“At school.””
My heart pounded.
“When?””
“Last month. She came to the playground when I was waiting for the bus.””
“What did she say?””
Maya rubbed month. She came to the playground when I was waiting for the bus.””
“What did she say?””
Maya rubbed her thumb against the photograph.
“She said her name was Grace.””
I could barely speak.
“What else?””
“She her thumb against the photograph.
“She said her name was Grace.””
I could barely speak.
“What else?””
“She asked if I had a little moon behind my ear.””
I stared asked if I had a little moon behind my ear.””
I stared at her.
Maya touched the birthmark.
“When I said yes, she started crying.””
I felt a chill run down my spine.
at her.
Maya touched the birthmark.
“When I said yes, she started crying.””
I felt a chill run down my spine.
“What happened next?””
“She said her mommy told her she wasn't allowed to talk to me.””
““What happened next?””
“She said her mommy told her she wasn't allowed to talk to me.””
“Did she tell you who her mommy was?””
Maya shook her head.
“No. She said she had to go before someone sawDid she tell you who her mommy was?””
Maya shook her head.
“No. She said she had to go before someone saw us.””
I looked at the photograph again.
Two girls.
Two hospital bracelets.
Two names.
And one shared birth us.””
I looked at the photograph again.
Two girls.
Two hospital bracelets.
Two names.
And one shared birthmark.
I called Detective Morgan back and told her what Maya had said.
She arrived twenty minutes later with a child specialistmark.
I called Detective Morgan back and told her what Maya had said.
She arrived twenty minutes later with a child specialist, who gently asked Maya to describe her encounter with Grace.
Maya answered every question carefully, who gently asked Maya to describe her encounter with Grace.
Maya answered every question carefully.
She remembered the girl's school uniform, the color of her backpack, and the fact that she had been accompanied by a woman.
She remembered the girl's school uniform, the color of her backpack, and the fact that she had been accompanied by a woman in a gray coat.
Rebecca Mills.
When Detective Morgan showed Maya a photograph of Rebecca, my in a gray coat.
Rebecca Mills.
When Detective Morgan showed Maya a photograph of Rebecca, my daughter nodded.
“That's the lady.””
The detective's expression hardened.
“Are you sure?””
Maya nodded again daughter nodded.
“That's the lady.””
The detective's expression hardened.
“Are you sure?””
Maya nodded again.
“She told Grace to get in the car.””
I gripped the bed rail.
“Did Grace.
“She told Grace to get in the car.””
I gripped the bed rail.
“Did Grace want to go?””
Maya hesitated.
“No.””
“What did she do?””
“She looked at me and said want to go?””
Maya hesitated.
“No.””
“What did she do?””
“She looked at me and said, ‘Remember what I told you.’ Then she got in.””
I closed my eyes.
I could picture it too clearly, ‘Remember what I told you.’ Then she got in.””
I closed my eyes.
I could picture it too clearly.
A little girl who looked like my daughter, being taken away by a woman who had helped conceal a dangerous substance.
Detective.
A little girl who looked like my daughter, being taken away by a woman who had helped conceal a dangerous substance.
Detective Morgan thanked Maya and left the room with the specialist.
I stayed beside my daughter until she fell asleep.
Then I stepped into the hallway and Morgan thanked Maya and left the room with the specialist.
I stayed beside my daughter until she fell asleep.
Then I stepped into the hallway and called Ethan.
This time, he answered.
“Daniel?””
“Where is Grace?””
“I don't know.””
“Don't lie to me called Ethan.
This time, he answered.
“Daniel?””
“Where is Grace?””
“I don't know.””
“Don't lie to me.””
“I'm not.””
“Maya says she met her.””
“I'm not.””
“Maya says she met her at school. She says Rebecca took her away.””
Ethan went silent.
Then he whispered, “Rebecca wasn't at school. She says Rebecca took her away.””
Ethan went silent.
Then he whispered, “Rebecca wasn't supposed to be near either of them.””
“Either of them?””
“Grace and Maya.””
I gripped the phone.
“Why were supposed to be near either of them.””
“Either of them?””
“Grace and Maya.””
I gripped the phone.
“Why were you keeping them apart?””
“I wasn't.””
“Then you keeping them apart?””
“I wasn't.””
“Then who was?””
“Dr. Harris.””
I leaned against the wall.
“Why?””
“Because the girls were never who was?””
“Dr. Harris.””
I leaned against the wall.
“Why?””
“Because the girls were never supposed to know they were related.””
“Why?””
Ethan exhaled.
“Because Grace was born first.””
I supposed to know they were related.””
“Why?””
Ethan exhaled.
“Because Grace was born first.””
I closed my eyes.
“Tell me everything.””
He spoke slowly, as if every word hurt.
“Claire was closed my eyes.
“Tell me everything.””
He spoke slowly, as if every word hurt.
“Claire was pregnant with twins. She didn't know it at first. When she went into labor, Dr. Harris told her there had been complications.
He said one pregnant with twins. She didn't know it at first. When she went into labor, Dr.
Harris told her there had been complications. He said one baby had died.””
My chest tightened.
“And the other?””
“Maya survived.””
“Then where did Grace come from?””
“He said Grace needed special baby had died.””
My chest tightened.
“And the other?””
“Maya survived.””
“Then where did Grace come from?””
“He said Grace needed special care. He told Claire the baby had been transferred to another hospital.””
“Did Claire believe him?””
“Yes care. He told Claire the baby had been transferred to another hospital.””
“Did Claire believe him?””
“Yes.””
“Did she ever see Grace?””
“No. He told her it was too dangerous.””
I felt sick.
“And.””
“Did she ever see Grace?””
“No. He told her it was too dangerous.””
I felt sick.
“And Lily?””
Ethan was quiet.
“Lily was a different pregnancy.””
I stared at the wall.
“So there were three children.””
Lily?””
Ethan was quiet.
“Lily was a different pregnancy.””
I stared at the wall.
“So there were three children.””
“Yes.””
“Lily, Grace, and Maya.””
“Yes.””
I struggled to breathe.
“Why would anyone take“Yes.””
“Lily, Grace, and Maya.””
“Yes.””
I struggled to breathe.
“Why would anyone take three babies?””
“I don't know all of it.””
“Then tell me what you do know.””
He sighed three babies?””
“I don't know all of it.””
“Then tell me what you do know.””
He sighed.
“Dr. Harris was working with a private organization that arranged placements for infants whose parents were.
“Dr. Harris was working with a private organization that arranged placements for infants whose parents were told they had died or couldn't be cared for. Some placements may have been legal. Others weren't.””
“Were the babies being told they had died or couldn't be cared for. Some placements may have been legal. Others weren't.””
“Were the babies being sold?””
“I don't know.””
“Ethan!””
“I saw payments, Daniel. I saw names and sold?””
“I don't know.””
“Ethan!””
“I saw payments, Daniel. I saw names and dates. I saw records that didn't match. But I didn't know what they meant until I found the original files.””
“Why dates. I saw records that didn't match. But I didn't know what they meant until I found the original files.””
“Why didn't you go to the police?””
“Because I was involved.””
The admission left didn't you go to the police?””
“Because I was involved.””
The admission left me speechless.
Ethan continued.
“I delivered documents. I moved containers. I helped replace labels. I told myself I was me speechless.
Ethan continued.
“I delivered documents. I moved containers. I helped replace labels.
I told myself I was doing legitimate contract work. When I realized what was happening, I was already in too deep.””
“You gave doing legitimate contract work. When I realized what was happening, I was already in too deep.””
“You gave Claire the bottle.””
“Yes.””
“You knew it wasn't meant for children.””
“I knew it was a research compound. I didn't know she Claire the bottle.””
“Yes.””
“You knew it wasn't meant for children.””
“I knew it was a research compound. I didn't know she would give it to Maya.””
“But you knew she had it.””
“Yes.””
“And you did would give it to Maya.””
“But you knew she had it.””
“Yes.””
“And you did nothing.””
His voice broke.
“I was afraid.””
I closed my eyes.
My brother had spent years being afraid while other nothing.””
His voice broke.
“I was afraid.””
I closed my eyes.
My brother had spent years being afraid while other people paid the price.
“What happened to Lily?””
“I don't know.””
“ people paid the price.
“What happened to Lily?””
“I don't know.””
“Where is Grace now?””
“I don't know.””
“Then what good areWhere is Grace now?””
“I don't know.””
“Then what good are you?””
He didn't answer.
I heard a door open on his end of the call.
Then a woman's voice.
“Ethan?””
He inhal you?””
He didn't answer.
I heard a door open on his end of the call.
Then a woman's voice.
“Ethan?””
He inhaled sharply.
“Daniel, I have to go.””
“Who is that?””
He hung up.
I called back.
No answer.
A messageed sharply.
“Daniel, I have to go.””
“Who is that?””
He hung up.
I called back.
No answer.
A message appeared.
*Don't come to Mercer Road.*
Then another.
**They know appeared.
*Don't come to Mercer Road.*
Then another.
*They know I have the files I have the files.*
I immediately sent the.**
I immediately sent the messages to Detective Morgan.
Within minutes, she called me.
“We're moving to locate your brother.””
“Is he messages to Detective Morgan.
Within minutes, she called me.
“We're moving to locate your brother.””
“Is he in danger?””
“We don't know. But he may have evidence connected to the case.””
I stared at the photograph of the girls.
“Please find Grace.””
“We're trying.””
“What if she's in danger?””
“We're treating this as urgent.””
I returned to Maya's room.
She was awake again, holding the photograph.
“Daddy?””
I sat beside her.
“Yes?””
“Do you think Grace is scared?””
I looked at the little girl in the picture.
“I think she might be.””
“Can we help her?””
I took Maya's hand.
“Yes, sweetheart. We're going to try.””
She nodded, then looked at the photograph again.
“Daddy?””
“Hmm?””
“Grace has the same in danger?””
“We don't know. But he may have evidence connected to the case.””
I stared at the photograph of the girls.
“Please find Grace.””
“We're trying.””
“What if she's in danger?””
“We're treating this as urgent.””
I returned to Maya's room.
She was awake again, holding the photograph.
“Daddy?””
I sat beside her.
“Yes?””
“Do you think Grace is scared?””
I looked at the little girl in the picture.
“I think she might be.””
“Can we help her?””
I took Maya's hand.
“Yes, sweetheart. We're going to try.””
She nodded, then looked at the photograph again.
“Daddy?””
“Hmm?””
“Grace has the same eyes as me.””
I looked closer.
The girl in the photograph had gray eyes, but in the dim hospital light, they seemed eyes as me.””
I looked closer.
The girl in the photograph had gray eyes, but in the dim hospital light, they seemed almost blue.
Maya touched the picture.
“Maybe they're different because she has a different almost blue.
Maya touched the picture.
“Maybe they're different because she has a different mommy.””
I felt my throat tighten.
“Maybe.””
She thought about it.
“Would you mommy.””
I felt my throat tighten.
“Maybe.””
She thought about it.
“Would you love her if she was your daughter?””
I didn't hesitate.
“Of course.””
Maya love her if she was your daughter?””
I didn't hesitate.
“Of course.””
Maya smiled faintly.
“Good.””
She handed me the photograph.
“Because she looks like she smiled faintly.
“Good.””
She handed me the photograph.
“Because she looks like she needs somebody.””
I held my daughter close.
For the first time since the night everything began needs somebody.””
I held my daughter close.
For the first time since the night everything began, I felt something stronger than anger.
Hope.
Maybe Grace was alive.
Maybe Lily had survived too.
, I felt something stronger than anger.
Hope.
Maybe Grace was alive.
Maybe Lily had survived too.
Maybe there was still a chance to find them.
At 2:14 pMaybe there was still a chance to find them.
At 2:14 p.m., Detective Morgan called with an update.
They had located Rebecca Mills.
She was at a private residence outside the city.
But.m., Detective Morgan called with an update.
They had located Rebecca Mills.
She was at a private residence outside the city.
But Grace wasn't with her.
The detective told me they had found documents suggesting that Rebecca had been using multiple identities to arrange school registrations Grace wasn't with her.
The detective told me they had found documents suggesting that Rebecca had been using multiple identities to arrange school registrations and medical appointments for children whose records had been altered.
I asked whether they had found Lily.
“Not yet.””
“What about Grace?””
“We're following a lead.””
“What lead?””
“A school administrator and medical appointments for children whose records had been altered.
I asked whether they had found Lily.
“Not yet.””
“What about Grace?””
“We're following a lead.””
“What lead?””
“A school administrator recognized the girl in the photograph. She attended a private school under the name Grace Bennett until recognized the girl in the photograph. She attended a private school under the name Grace Bennett until three months ago.””
I gripped the phone.
“Where did she go?””
“Her records show a transfer three months ago.””
I gripped the phone.
“Where did she go?””
“Her records show a transfer to another school.””
“Which school?””
“The paperwork lists a school that doesn't exist.””
I closed my eyes.
Someone had erased her again.
Detective Morgan continued.
to another school.””
“Which school?””
“The paperwork lists a school that doesn't exist.””
I closed my eyes.
Someone had erased her again.
Detective Morgan continued.
“We also found a recent photograph of Rebecca with a man who appears to be Dr. Harris.””
““We also found a recent photograph of Rebecca with a man who appears to be Dr. Harris.””
“Where?””
“At a bus station.””
“When?””
“Yesterday afternoon.””
I stared at the clock.
They had been moving children while myWhere?””
“At a bus station.””
“When?””
“Yesterday afternoon.””
I stared at the clock.
They had been moving children while my daughter lay in pain.
They had been hiding records while I was driving home from work.
They had been arranging transfers while I believed my daughter lay in pain.
They had been hiding records while I was driving home from work.
They had been arranging transfers while I believed my family was safe.
“Did they leave together?””
“Yes.””
“Where did they family was safe.
“Did they leave together?””
“Yes.””
“Where did they go?””
“We're checking the station's records and available footage.””
I ended the call and sat beside Maya.
She go?””
“We're checking the station's records and available footage.””
I ended the call and sat beside Maya.
She had fallen asleep again.
I watched her breathe, each rise and fall of her chest a small had fallen asleep again.
I watched her breathe, each rise and fall of her chest a small miracle.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
*If you want Grace, come to the old train station at six. Bring no police.*
A photograph followed.
Grace stood beside a bench, wearing a yellow coat.
Her face miracle.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
*If you want Grace, come to the old train station at six. Bring no police.*
A photograph followed.
Grace stood beside a bench, wearing a yellow coat.
Her face was turned toward the camera.
On the back of the photograph was a handwritten message.
*Ask Daniel why he signed the papers.*
I was turned toward the camera.
On the back of the photograph was a handwritten message.
*Ask Daniel why he signed the papers.*
I stared at the words.
The same accusation that had appeared on the bracelet.
The same signature I had never written.
Then another stared at the words.
The same accusation that had appeared on the bracelet.
The same signature I had never written.
Then another message arrived.
*Your daughter knows the truth.*
I looked at Maya.
She was asleep.
The message message arrived.
*Your daughter knows the truth.*
I looked at Maya.
She was asleep.
The message couldn't have come from her.
But whoever had sent it knew exactly where to hurt me couldn't have come from her.
But whoever had sent it knew exactly where to hurt me.
I called Detective Morgan.
She told me not to go anywhere alone and asked me.
I called Detective Morgan.
She told me not to go anywhere alone and asked me to forward the messages immediately.
I did.
Then I waited.
At 5:37 p.m., the detective called again.
“We've identified the sender.””
“Who to forward the messages immediately.
I did.
Then I waited.
At 5:37 p.m., the detective called again.
“We've identified the sender.””
“Who?””
“Your brother.””
I stood.
?””
“Your brother.””
I stood.
“Ethan?””
“Yes. We believe he's trying to arrange a meeting without the people involved in the transfers knowing.””
“Where is he?””
“We're tracking“Ethan?””
“Yes. We believe he's trying to arrange a meeting without the people involved in the transfers knowing.””
“Where is he?””
“We're tracking him now.””
I looked at the photograph of Grace.
“Is she with him?””
“We don't him now.””
I looked at the photograph of Grace.
“Is she with him?””
“We don't know.””
Then the detective paused.
“Daniel, there's something else. We found a second set of records associated with your name.””
My know.””
Then the detective paused.
“Daniel, there's something else. We found a second set of records associated with your name.””
My stomach tightened.
“What records?””
“Documents showing that you signed consent forms for the transfer of two infants.””
stomach tightened.
“What records?””
“Documents showing that you signed consent forms for the transfer of two infants.””
“I never signed anything.””
“We believe that. But the signatures are there.””
“Can you prove they're forged?””
“We're comparing“I never signed anything.””
“We believe that. But the signatures are there.””
“Can you prove they're forged?””
“We're comparing them with your employment records and other verified documents.””
I closed my eyes.
“Then what do the forms say?””
Detective Morgan took a breath.
“One of the forms contains a statement that the biological father them with your employment records and other verified documents.””
I closed my eyes.
“Then what do the forms say?””
Detective Morgan took a breath.
“One of the forms contains a statement that the biological father voluntarily relinquished parental rights.””
I felt the room spin.
“Which child?””
“Grace.””
I looked voluntarily relinquished parental rights.””
I felt the room spin.
“Which child?””
“Grace.””
I looked at Maya.
The detective continued.
“The second form concerns Lily.””
My hands began shaking.
“What does it say?””
She hesitated at Maya.
The detective continued.
“The second form concerns Lily.””
My hands began shaking.
“What does it say?””
She hesitated.
“It states that both parents were informed of the transfer.””
I could barely speak.
“I was never informed.””
.
“It states that both parents were informed of the transfer.””
I could barely speak.
“I was never informed.””
“We know. But there's another detail.””
“What?””
“The forms were signed on October 12, three years ago.””
The same“We know. But there's another detail.””
“What?””
“The forms were signed on October 12, three years ago.””
The same date printed on the bracelets.
The same date someone had used my name to approve the transfer.
I stared at date printed on the bracelets.
The same date someone had used my name to approve the transfer.
I stared at the hospital wall.
Then Detective Morgan said something that changed everything.
“The forms were notarized by a woman named Claire Carter.””
I stopped breathing.
My wife hadn't the hospital wall.
Then Detective Morgan said something that changed everything.
“The forms were notarized by a woman named Claire Carter.””
I stopped breathing.
My wife hadn't merely hidden the truth.
She had signed the documents that erased our daughters.
And merely hidden the truth.
She had signed the documents that erased our daughters.
May you like
And somewhere, someone had decided it was time for me to find out why.
somewhere, someone had decided it was time for me to find out why.
