Chapter 9 - THE BROTHER NO ONE REMEMBERED
Daniel Bennett had disappeared twenty-three years earlier.
According to Evan, Daniel had been unstable.
According to Evan's father, Daniel had stolen money.
According to every official document, Daniel had died overseas.
But Claire discovered something else.
There was no death certificate.
No burial record.
No confirmed body.
No hospital record.
Nothing.
Daniel had simply vanished.
The attorney found an old photograph.
Two young boys stood beside their father.
Evan.
Daniel.
Claire stared at the photograph.
"They look identical."
"Brothers often do."
"No."
She pointed.
"Look at the eyes."
The attorney studied the image.
Claire's voice became quiet.
"Noah had those eyes."
Silence.
She looked at the photograph again.
"Noah's eyes."
The attorney didn't respond.
Claire began searching Noah's birth records.
Everything appeared normal.
Mother.
Father.
Hospital.
Date.
Time.
Then she found a correction.
The original birth certificate had been amended three days after Noah's birth.
The father's signature had been replaced.
Claire stared.
"Why was this changed?"
The attorney examined the document.
"I don't know."
"Find out."
He made a call.
Ten minutes later, he returned.
"Claire."
"What?"
"The original certificate listed another father."
Her hands went cold.
"Who?"
May you like
The attorney looked at her.
"Daniel Bennett."
