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Chapter Twenty-Nine

Afew daysafter Fallon’s birthday, she received a phone call from Detective Contreras. She was at work, and when she saw his number, she quickly ducked out of the store. Except for Diablo and her dad, she hadn’t told anyone about her mother.

“Hello, Detective. I hope you have the results,” she said as she walked around the corner.

“I do. From the DNA tests and the positive identification of the locket, your picture, and the clothing that has been identified, I regret to inform you that the remains found at Bison Peak are that of your mother and a man named Richard Blather.”

Even though she’d been absolutely sure, hearing it aloud tore at her heart. “I knew it. I guess I was just holding out a sliver of hope that it wasn’t,” she whispered.

“I understand. I’m sorry for your loss. You had some of your mother’s DNA in your test. We also tested your father’s DNA.”

“Why? He wouldn’t have my mother’s in his.”

“Just a comparison since you’d have some of his. A person doesn’t inherit all her parents’ DNA, but she will have some of each. Is your father your biological dad?”

“Yes. Why’re you asking me that?” Ice filled her veins.

“It’s just that your DNA didn’t have any of his. Have you ever seen a copy of your birth certificate?”

“No, but my parents used it to get me into school and I have my dad’s last name—Richardson.”

“Maybe he adopted you.”

“He didn’t. It’s my dad. I think my mom would’ve told me if he wasn’t. Why would she lie to me?”

Contreras’s sigh was audible. “I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just that you don’t have your dad’s DNA, which indicates that you and he are not biologically related.”

“Your test is wrong.” The pounding in her ears made her head ache.

“It’s not. The lab tested and retested it many times.”

Dad’s not my real dad? What the fuck?Her mind spun as she tried to concentrate on what the officer was saying.How could that be? Why would he raise me if I wasn’t his kid? This doesn’t make sense. Something’s obviously wrong with the test results.

“I’ll need you to come to Sheriff Wexler’s office tomorrow. I want to go over a few things you’ve told us about your father.”

His words jarred her back to the conversation. “Is my dad a suspect?”

He cleared his throat. “We always look closely at the ones closest to the murder victim. It’s just routine.”

Bullshit! They suspect Dad. I wondered why they took his DNA. That phony reason the detective gave me doesn’t make sense. They think Dad killed Mom and Rich.

Her father’s cold, mean words when she’d called him after she learned of her mother’s death rang through her ears.

“Does tomorrow at noon work?”

“Uh… sure. It works.”This is too much. I don’t know what the fuck’s going on.

“Good. I’ll see you tomorrow. Again, Fallon, I’m sorry for your loss.”

Fallon stared at the screen as she slumped against the brick wall.I’m going to be sick.She bent over and dry heaved.He can’t be right. Dad wouldn’t hurt Mom, and Dad’s my real dad.But he’d been so mean to her over the years.A lot of biological parents are mean to their kids. I can’t stand this.

Walking back to the store, images of her dad filled her mind.Everyone always said we didn’t look anything like each other, but I’ve seen kids who don’t look like both parents.

“You look sick,” Jerry said as she reentered the store.

“I am. I have to take off. Stomach flu, I think.” She pushed her hair off her damp face.

“Go on. Take care of yourself.”