Chapter 12 - THE FATHER WHO NEVER STOPPED LOOKING
The first evidence that Daniel Caruso might still be alive came from a hospital record in Canada.
A man using the name David Grant had been treated there nine years after Daniel's disappearance.
His photograph resembled my father.
His blood type matched.
And his emergency contact was listed as Elizabeth Grant.
My birth mother.
I stared at the screen.
"That's him."
Rebecca spoke carefully.
"It's possible. We need confirmation."
Leo stood beside me.
His expression was unreadable.
For years, he'd believed his uncle had been murdered.
Now the truth seemed far more complicated.
Investigators traced Elizabeth's last known address to a small town outside Toronto.
A federal liaison helped coordinate the inquiry.
Two days later, Rebecca received a call.
Elizabeth Grant had been found.
Alive.
My knees weakened.
"Where?"
"In assisted living."
"Can I see her?"
Rebecca hesitated.
"She's willing to meet, but there are medical and privacy arrangements to make."
I nodded quickly.
"Anything."
A week later, I walked into a quiet room overlooking a garden.
An older woman sat beside the window.
Her hair was silver.
Her hands trembled.
But when she looked up, her eyes filled with tears.
"Clara?"
I stopped.
"Mom?"
She began crying.
I crossed the room.
She held my face between her hands.
"My baby."
The words broke something inside me.
For twenty-six years, I'd believed Anna Hayes was the only mother I'd ever known.
Now I was meeting the woman who'd given birth to me.
I loved Anna.
Nothing could change that.
But there was room in my heart for this woman too.
Elizabeth explained that Daniel had survived the attack that forced him into hiding.
They'd lived under new identities for years.
But when Rourke's people discovered their location, Daniel disappeared again to protect the family.
"Where is he now?" I whispered.
Elizabeth looked toward the window.
"I don't know."
My heart sank.
Then she reached beneath her blanket.
She removed a small envelope.
"He's been sending letters."
I stared.
"When was the last one?"
"Three months ago."
My heartbeat thundered.
She handed me the envelope.
Inside was a photograph of a man standing beside a small fishing boat.
Older.
Bearded.
But unmistakable.
Daniel Caruso.
My father.
On the back, he'd written:
Tell Clara I never stopped loving her.
I cried.
Then I noticed another sentence.
And tell Evan the truth when he's ready.
My breath caught.
I looked at Elizabeth.
"Is Evan really my brother?"
She nodded slowly.
"Yes."
My heart pounded.
"Then Daniel was alive when Evan was born?"
"Yes."
I stared at her.
"Where is he now?"
Elizabeth's eyes filled.
"Your father has been hiding from Vincent Rourke for years."
May you like
Then she whispered something that made Leo go completely still.
"Daniel knows where Rourke keeps the records that could destroy his entire organization."
