Page 208 of The Billion Heirs Boxed Set
“What?”
“Yeah. Is there any chance he donated part of his liver to a relative before his death?’
“I don’t have a clue.”
“The original report indicated the scar from surgery, but nothing else. I’ve looked at his medical records, and there’s no mention of him donating for a transplant. But part of his liver is definitely gone, which means he donated pretty recently before he died. The liver will usually regenerate to its normal size within six to eight weeks after donation. Four months at max.”
“Wow. So he donated part of his liver to someone.”
“Yeah, usually to a relative, but I suppose he could have donated to anyone else who was a match.”
Jarvis raises his eyebrows at me. I must have a mystified look on my face. Admittedly, this is strange.
“This may have nothing to do with his death, though,” I say.
“Right,” Dr. Hayes agrees, “but it’s worthy of note.”
“For sure.” I clear my throat. “Let me know on the DNA as soon as you hear.”
“I will. Talk to you later.”
I end the call.
“You look like you just drank some bad wine,” Jarvis says.
I shake my head. “That was Dr. Hayes from forensics. He got some DNA from under the victim’s fingernails.”
He smiles and shares the same satisfaction as I feel about this possible lead. “Great! That could be a big help.”
“Yeah. I just have to get Chance Bridger to give us his DNA.” I roll my eyes. “No problem.”
“While he’s a prime suspect, we haven’t ruled out others who work at Bridger Ranch. Even those who worked at the trucking company with the victim.”
“I agree. Although we won’t get warrants for others’ DNA without good reason, meaning we have to connect people to the case besides being co-workers or working where the body was found. Chance Bridger’s the only one at the top of the list.”
“When I saw him this morning,” Jarvis says. “He indicated he’d cooperate. I think he just wants this over with.”
My heart flutters, but I quickly shove that shit down. “You saw him this morning?”
“Yeah. I told you I was going over there with his attorney.”
“Right.” I sigh. “My mind is…a mess. Sorry. Didn’t sleep well last night. That hotel bed sucks.”
The hotel bed does suck, but I slept fine. I grew up sleeping on two chairs pushed together. Any mattress is a boon. The truth is that my mind is a mess. Just being around Chance Bridger again has me twisted in knots.
“Sorry to hear that. Everything okay?”
“Yeah. I’m good.”
“I have to tell you, Marsh. While he’s the son of Jonathan Bridger, had as much access to Bridger Corp as his father, I don’t think Chance Bridger had anything to do with this murder. I mean, would he tell me I could look at anything I wanted if he was hiding something?”
I shrug. “Maybe. If he’s got it so well hidden that no one could possibly ferret it out.”
He scrunches up the side of his face in a weird look of doubt. “I just don’t get that feeling.”
“Whatever.” I sigh. “Hayes is sending the DNA out to make sure it doesn’t belong to the victim himself. Or maybe we’ll get a hit in the system. Either way, he also found something else, though I doubt it has any bearing on the case.”
“What?”
