Page 27 of The Last Close Call

“Excuse me.” Rowan glanced at Jack. “If I might step in here?” She turned to Joy. “To give you some background, I’m a genetic genealogist.” Rowan smiled. “I know, sounds redundant, right? I use DNA for genealogy research. In this case, to trace a DNA profile to a particular person within a family tree.”

Joy stared at her.

“Based on my research,” Rowan said, “it appears that the DNA sample in this case belongs to a close relative of yours.”

“I don’t have a lot of close relatives,” Joy said. “My father passed away last year, and my mother lives in Sage Springs.”

“This would likely be someone one generation down from you, such as a nephew.” Although, according to Rowan’s research, Joy didn’t have any nephews.

“I’m an only child,” Joy replied. “I don’t have nieces or nephews.”

“Perhaps a son?”

“But I don’t—” She stopped short.

Rowan held her gaze, watching her face transform as understanding dawned. Joy’s cheeks flushed, and she darted a glance at Jack. The silence stretched out.

Joy leaned forward and placed her drink on the table in front of her. She reached for a coaster and carefully set the glass on top of it. Her fingers were trembling now.

She settled her hands in her lap and looked at Jack. “Exactly what sort of case is this?”

He darted a look at Rowan. “I can’t go into specifics, I’m afraid. But I can tell you it’s serious. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be here asking for your help.”

“Let’s back up a moment,” Rowan said, pulling Joy’s attention away from Jack and back to the science side of the conversation. “Are you aware of any one of your relatives who might have done one of those home DNA kits recently?”

“A home DNA kit,” she said, looking at Rowan. “Oh my God. Oh no.” She put her hand on her stomach. “I always thought he might come looking for me one day, but I never imagined...” She buried her face in her hand. “Oh my God. It was so long ago. I was a teenager.”

“And you gave the baby up for adoption?” Rowan asked.

She nodded, her face still hidden behind her hand. “My husband doesn’t even know about this.” Then she jerked her head up and looked at Jack. “What is the crime?”

“All I can tell you is—”

“No.” She held up her hand. “Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. I need to think about this.” She glanced toward the back door. “Michael will be home soon. I can’t be sitting here talking about this.” She stood abruptly. “I’m going to have to get back to you. I need to think about this.”

Rowan stood, and Jack did, too—reluctantly, Rowan thought.

“I’m going to have to get back to you,” Joy repeated.

“We understand,” Rowan said. “It’s a lot to absorb.”

“I mean, it was years ago.”

Rowan nodded. “I realize this probably comes as a shock.”

“It does.” She darted a desperate look at Jack. “Please understand, you’re putting me in an impossible situation here. I want to help you, but... I need to think through this.”

“We understand,” Rowan said, pulling her attention away from Jack before he could object. “When you’re ready, you know how to reach us.”

Jack shot Rowan a sharp look. Then he pulled a business card from his pocket. “Here’s my contact info. My cell is on the back.”

“I have it.” Joy moved to the kitchen, clearly eager to get rid of them. “I’ll be in touch.” She corralled them down the corridor as the dogs scurried around their feet.

Rowan stopped by the back door and made eye contact with Joy. “It’s a lot to think about, I know.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “It is.”

“Take your time,” Rowan told her. “Call us when you’re ready.”

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