Chapter 63 - THE MISSING DAUGHTER HAD BEEN LIVING UNDER ANOTHER NAME—BUT THE DNA RESULTS POINTED TO SOMEONE SOFIA REFUSED TO SUSPECT
The laboratory results arrived shortly before sunrise.
Daniel had ordered independent testing of every available biological sample connected to Helena Mercer and Claire Hawthorne.
The process had taken longer than anyone wanted.
Archived samples were degraded.
Some records had been altered.
Others had disappeared entirely.
But investigators had recovered a preserved medical specimen from Helena's former hospital.
They also had a verified sample from Charles Hawthorne's remains.
The combination made it possible to test several relationships.
Sofia stood beside Daniel as the genetic specialist entered the conference room.
Elizabeth and Victoria sat across the table.
Isabella waited near the window.
Margaret had been asked to remain in another room while investigators reviewed her statement.
Daniel looked at the specialist.
"Tell us what you found."
The woman opened her folder.
"We have evidence that the child identified as Claire Hawthorne was biologically related to Charles Hawthorne."
Daniel nodded.
"That part we expected."
"Yes. But we also found something else."
Sofia leaned forward.
"What?"
"The historical records suggest that Claire's identity was changed more than once."
Elizabeth stared.
"How many times?"
"At least twice."
Daniel's expression hardened.
"Can you identify the final name?"
"Not from the genetic material alone."
Sofia felt disappointment rise.
The specialist continued.
"However, the archived records include a partial fingerprint card."
Marcus placed a second file on the table.
The print had been compared against records available through lawful investigative channels.
One possible match had emerged.
Daniel opened the folder.
Then stopped.
Sofia noticed immediately.
"Daniel?"
He did not answer.
She reached for the paper.
A name appeared at the top.
MARGARET HALE.
Sofia stared.
"No."
Daniel looked toward the specialist.
"That can't be right."
The woman remained calm.
"The fingerprint comparison is preliminary. We need a fresh sample and an independent confirmation."
Sofia shook her head.
"Margaret is seventy-five."
Daniel looked at the birth date listed for Claire.
The ages did not match.
"Exactly."
The specialist nodded.
"Which suggests the identity records may have been used by more than one person."
Sofia felt cold.
Two people.
One name.
Another borrowed life.
Elizabeth leaned forward.
"Margaret Hale Jr."
Everyone turned.
She continued.
"That's the name Charles used to enroll me in school."
Daniel stared.
Sofia remembered the original school photograph.
Elizabeth had been registered under an alias connected to Margaret.
But the child in the chapel photograph looked remarkably similar to Elizabeth.
Could Claire have been given the name Margaret Hale before Elizabeth inherited the same identity?
Sofia turned toward Elizabeth.
"How old were you when Richard took you into the Ashford household?"
Elizabeth hesitated.
"Seven."
Victoria looked at her sister.
"You always told me you remembered our mother."
Elizabeth's expression changed.
"I remember a woman."
Sofia stepped closer.
"What woman?"
Elizabeth's eyes filled.
"She used to sing to me."
"Do you remember her name?"
"No."
"Anything else?"
Elizabeth closed her eyes.
"A blue house."
Sofia waited.
"A garden with white roses."
Daniel's face changed.
"What?"
Elizabeth opened her eyes.
He looked toward Marcus.
"Find photographs of the Mercer property."
Minutes later, the images appeared.
A blue house.
White roses.
A stone pathway.
Elizabeth covered her mouth.
"That's it."
Victoria stared at her.
"You lived there?"
Elizabeth began crying.
"I think so."
Daniel sat down.
Sofia looked toward the specialist.
"Can you compare Elizabeth's DNA with Charles and Helena?"
"Yes."
Elizabeth nodded immediately.
"Do it."
Victoria reached for her sister's hand.
For the first time, the two women seemed to understand that the truth might change their relationship forever.
Hours later, the preliminary results arrived.
Daniel opened them.
His face went pale.
Sofia leaned closer.
The report indicated a strong biological parent-child relationship between Elizabeth and Charles Hawthorne.
The evidence also supported Helena Mercer as Elizabeth's biological mother.
Elizabeth began shaking.
Victoria whispered:
"You're not my sister."
Elizabeth looked at her.
Tears streamed down both their faces.
Daniel stood.
"Elizabeth..."
She turned toward him.
He struggled to speak.
"You're Claire."
Elizabeth covered her mouth.
Daniel stepped closer.
"You're my father's daughter."
Silence filled the room.
Then Isabella's phone rang.
She answered.
Her expression changed.
"Sofia."
Sofia turned.
"What?"
Isabella stared at the phone.
"Mateo found Elena."
Sofia stepped forward.
"And?"
Isabella's voice trembled.
"Elena says the person who ordered Claire's disappearance is still alive."
Daniel's face hardened.
"Who?"
Isabella looked toward the doorway.
Margaret Hale stood there.
And in her hand was a photograph of Helena Mercer.
Margaret whispered:
May you like
"I know who gave the order."
TO BE CONTINUED...
