Page 52 of Destiny

“Well…my father’s namewasSean Murphy,” Jack says.

“That’s what your mother tells you,” I say.

He turns to me, his jaw rigid. “Hey, my mother’s a good woman.”

I nod. “I apologize. That’s not what I meant. It wasn’t a dig on your mother. It was a dig on your grandmother.”

Jack nods. “I see what you mean.”

Dad shakes his head. “None of this makes a lick of sense. I might believe you if you said Brendan was the key. Thatheand Jack shared a great-grandparent. But Jack and me? It doesn’t add up.”

“I only read the DNA, sir,” Tucker says. “And I can tell you, almost for certain, that you two”—he nods to Dad and then to Jack—“share paternal grandparents. It’s clear as day.”

“I’d say it’s about as clear as mud,” Dad says.

“You have another set of results coming,” Tucker says. “They’re not going to be as quick as I am. But let me know what they say.”

Dad stands. “Good idea. I know Ruby Steel recommended you and all, but you got this one wrong.”

Dad walks out.

Jack and I sit there, staring at each other.

Jack shakes his head. “I’ve got to agree with your dad,” he says. “None of this makes any kind of sense.”

“Dad seems a little weirded out by it.” I inhale. “Is there a way to see whether this could’ve been a half-sibling or something?”

Jack nods. “I’m surprised your father didn’t think to ask that. It would make more sense if it were a half-sibling situation. The product of an affair, or…”

“A rape. A child given up for adoption,” I say, thinking of Lauren and Pat Lamone.

“Yes, exactly,” Tucker says. “But that’s not the case here. The two of you—Jack and Sean—are full-blooded first cousins on the patrilineal side. There is no indication of a half-sibling situation.”

I shake my head. “Doesn’t make sense.”

“Sure doesn’t,” Jack agrees. “Although, apparently I’m your uncle.”

“Crazy.” I meet Tucker’s gaze. “You must’ve made a mistake.”

Tucker shifts in his seat. “I don’t make mistakes. But like I said, see what the other clinic tells you.”

I rise. “Thank you for your time.” I hold out my hand.

Tucker shakes it. “Not at all. Anything for Ruby.”

Jack and I leave, and we find Dad waiting for us in the parking lot. He’s smoking a cigarette, something he almost never does.

“What the hell?” I say.

“I keep a pack in the car. For emergencies.”

“So being related to me sent you to smoke,” Jack says.

“Not at all,” Dad says. “You’re a nice young man. I’d be proud to be a relation. But this doesn’t make sense.”

“I agree,” I say. “Something’s rotten here.”

“You heard Tucker,” Jack says. “He doesn’t make mistakes.”

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