The Night Is Darkest by L.L. Abbott

Author:L.L. Abbott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: L.L. Abbott

After her lab was examined and her desk was dusted and after she called Chandler and made sure she was safe, the locksmith was called to replace the bolt on the back door that had been forced open. Kerry began the task of cleaning up the mess left behind and reorganizing the files.

The recent paperwork with the results of the bloodwork and autopsy report were missing, as were the DNA sample test results from Chandler’s samples. It was odd, Kerry thought, since all the information was scanned into the computer already. It was obvious that whoever broke into her lab, knew what they were looking for. And anyone who knew what they were looking for should have known they’d be backed up on her computer. But one thing was for certain, it was all connected to the Dumont case.

Kerry swept her fingers over the disheveled pile of paper on her desk and pulled out the initial case information sheet on the Dumont case. It contained the little information they had on Mary and Steven Dumont. It had their address, driver's license abstracts, Steven’s place of work, and a list of tax and property information. Kerry read the sheet twice and noticed the glaring discrepancy with what she now knew.

At the time of the fire, it was believed that Steven and Mary Dumont had one child and that one child had died in the fire along with her mother. There was no mention of a second child anywhere in the documents. Chandler didn’t exist. However, her DNA told a different story.

Kerry powered up her computer and logged into the hospital records file system. Assuming that Chandler’s age was legitimate, she would have been born shortly before the fire. All births were registered in one office in Lake Pines, which made searching for Chandler’s records easier.

There were just under five hundred and thirty births the year that Chandler was born. Kerry searched every entry and none of them were registered to Mary and Steven Dumont. She broadened her search and included two years on either side and received the same results.

How could a child be born in Lake Pines and not registered? The town was too small and had only two doctors that practiced obstetrics, and Kerry knew they both were sticklers for rules.

“Unless Mary Dumont had her child at home,” Kerry thought.

She took a chance and searched a list of midwives in the area who worked during the years that Chandler could have been born. One name remained. Arlene Best.

Kerry found her number and although she had not practiced midwifery for several years, Kerry was happy to see she still lived in Lake Pines. Kerry called and Arlene agreed to meet with her about the case. Kerry arrived with the few pieces of information she had on the Dumonts, including their driver’s license abstracts. Arlene opened the door and welcomed her inside. The warmth was a welcome reprieve from the chill that still hung in the air.

“What a crazy spring we’re having,” Arlene beamed.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.