Page 126 of Deception

Both shook their heads no. “Nadine’s in her apartment.” Madison tossed the newspaper on the table.

Clayton took his coffee to the island and sat down, glancing at the headlines. The events of last night happened too late to get in the news. “Can’t quit thinking about how Steven never answered about shooting Dani or killing the judge.”

“I don’t think he broke in here and shot my grandfather.”

“Any thoughts on who did?”

“I still believe it’s the brother of the man who died,” Madison said. “Aaron Corbett.”

“I don’t know. He has a strong alibi. Have you had time to go through the papers you found at the bank?”

“Oh my goodness!” Madison pinched the bridge of her nose. “I can’t believe I forgot about the adoption papers. I need to show them to Dani and then examine the papers we took from the vault before I do anything else.”

“Adoption papers?” Dani leaned forward. “What adoption papers?”

“Mine.” Madison stood. “I’ll go get them, and we’ll look at them now.”

“We need fuel while we go over them—I’m going to scramble a few eggs,” Clayton said. “And toast some bread.”

By the time he had the eggs and toast ready, Madison had returned and spread the papers on the island. He noticed that the handwritten letter from her grandfather was missing.

“Eat.” Clayton set the eggs and toast down, and the other two moved to the other end of the counter and did as he ordered. As soon as they finished, Madison handed Dani the contract with her birth certificate attached while Clayton sorted through the other papers.

As Dani read, a frown creased her brow. “This is so hard to believe. Our grandmother essentially sold you to William Anderson. I wonder if...” She pressed her hand to her mouth. “Are there any other contracts?”

“I don’t know,” Madison said. “I haven’t looked through them.”

Clayton read the first set of papers he’d picked up, his stomach turning sour. The date was the same as the contract for Madison’s adoption. He quickly flipped through the other bound pages. “These are all contracts.” He handed Dani the top set. “I believe this is what you’re looking for.”

She quickly flipped through the pages and dropped them on the counter. “I can’t believe it.” Dani leaned back in the chair. “I knew my parents were fairly wealthy, but I had no idea they’d paid $50,000 to adopt me.”

Clayton picked them up and scanned to the last page. Judith Winslow had arranged the adoption. “The judge met with Judith last Wednesday at Coffee and More. The judge didn’t seem too happy to see her, and thinking back, they could’ve been arguing ... and then he was shot that night.”

“What!” Madison said. “You’re just now telling me?”

“But I did tell you, and Chief Nelson—the night the judge was shot.”

Madison stood and started for the door. “I’m going to see her. Now. And then I’m going to the district attorney. She needs to pay for what she’s done.”

Clayton stood and checked his watch. “I’ll go with you. She’s probably at Bright Horizons.”

“I’d like to go as well,” Dani said.

“You sure? You’re still recuperating.”

“I’ll be fine.”

Madison gathered the papers. “We’ll need these when we confront her.”

“We don’t want to take the originals. Let’s make a copy,” he said. “Do you want to call Chief Nelson?”

Madison shook her head. “Not yet. Let’s see what she has to say—if he’s there she might clam up.”

The drive to the pregnancy center was quiet. As soon as Clayton parked, Madison climbed out and marched to the door.

“Wait up.” He’d stayed behind to help Dani.

“Sorry. I’m just so angry.”

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