“What does that mean?” Carolyn asked.
“Just the kids and our family and… everything.”
Carolyn glanced at her husband. “You mean your family and how they might react to finding out your wife was abducted and raised as someone else’s child?”
Kane looked so uncomfortable that Jesse deduced that was his primary concern.
Jesse wanted to cheer for her and hoped that Kane was merely in shock and not putting what his family might think of the situation ahead of what was best for his wife. He was glad Carolyn had stood up to Kane and made her wishes clear. Jesse still couldn’t believe that he was sitting across from his Jordan, talking to her, reminding her of who they’d once been to each other.
“Let’s do the DNA test,” Carolyn said. “How long will it take to get the results?”
“We can ask them to put a rush on it, but it’ll take a day or two.”
“What’ll you do in the meantime?” Carolyn asked.
“We’ll find a place to stay and wait.”
“If it comes back that we’re siblings, what happens then?”
“There’ll be a full investigation, beginning with the people who raised you as their own.”
“Could they… Would they… go to jail?”
“If we’re able to prove that they kidnapped you and kept you from your rightful family, then yes. Possibly.”
“It’ll be important,” Memphis added, “that you do not tell them about any of this until we get the DNA results and next steps are determined. Telling them would be seen as impeding a federal investigation and could lead to charges for you, which we wouldn’t want to have happen.”
“Charges for us?” Kane said, incredulous. “We were minding our own business until you showed up with this story about my wife. And now you’re saying we could be charged if we tell people about it?”
“That’s exactly what Memphis is saying.” Working a hunch, Jesse said, “Do you know something about Carolyn’s past that might be pertinent to the investigation?”
“What? No, I don’t know anything about any of this.”
“And you’re sure about that?”
“Yes, I’m sure. For God’s sake, Carolyn, are you going to just sit there while this guy accuses me of doing something?”
“I don’t know what to think about anything,” she said. “Is my whole life a lie?”
“I’m not a lie! Our children certainly aren’t a lie! Do you believe these two strangers over what you know to be true?”
“What I know to be true? I believe that this man is most likely my brother, because what reason would he possibly have to make this up? How would I know his name or the name of our dog if what he was telling me was false? Do you care at all about me knowing the truth of my life, or are you so concerned about what people will think that you can’t think past the gossip of it all?”
“That’s not fair.”
“It’s entirely fair, and you know it.” To Jesse and Memphis, she added, “His father is the mayor. They’re all about appearances.”
Kane stood so quickly, his chair nearly toppled over. “I’m going to get the kids.”
“And you won’t say anything about this to anyone?” Jesse asked.
“I wouldn’t want to be charged with a crime. I’ll see you at home, Carolyn.”
“I’m sorry about him,” she said. “He’s… It’s a shock to him, of course.”
“Are you safe with him?” Memphis asked.
“Oh God, yes. He’s a wonderful husband and father. Honestly, he was taken by surprise. We both were.”
