Bloodlines
have a number and address, but I don’t know how current they are. We haven’t communicated in ages.”
    â€œAnd why would that be, sir?” Trey asked.
    â€œWe never did care much for each other,” Marcus said. “You know what they say, you can choose your friends but not your family. They left after some of Terrence’s business deals went sour. Ruined his reputation.”
    â€œWhy Italy?” Trey asked.
    â€œCarolyn’s family had a summer home there. She inherited it when her father died. I suppose it was a good place for them to escape to.”
    â€œI’ll still need those numbers,” Trey said.
    â€œYes, of course,” Marcus said. He shuffled through a Rolodex, finally pulled out a card and handed it to Trey.
    Trey made a note of the information, then continued to write as Marcus rambled about his dwindling family. When Marcus stopped, Trey looked up, glanced at Olivia, then back at Marcus, and braced himself for another angry reaction.
    â€œMr. Sealy, this is personal, but I have to ask. You’ve been a widower for many years, right?”
    â€œYes,” Marcus said. “But what does that have to do with—”
    â€œDuring that time, it wouldn’t have been out of the ordinary for you to have had an intimate relationship with another woman.”
    Marcus’s face flushed, but his voice never wavered.
    â€œBe that as it may, I did not.”
    â€œYou’re absolutely positive that you did not father another child?”
    Marcus’s fingers tightened around the arms of his chair.
    â€œYes, Detective. I’m certain.”
    Trey glanced at Olivia. She appeared furious, and what he was going to say wasn’t going to make her any happier. He turned back to Marcus.
    â€œWhen your granddaughter was kidnapped…”
    â€œYes?” Marcus said.
    â€œShe was missing for seven days, right?”
    Marcus nodded.
    Trey made a note in his book, then looked up again.
    â€œAnd you are one hundred percent certain that the child who was returned to you was the same child who was kidnapped?”
    Olivia gasped, then stood abruptly.
    Marcus grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her close until she was standing beside his chair. He looked up at her and smiled, then fixed Trey with a cold, angry look.
    â€œI know my own flesh and blood, Detective, and I think we’re done now.”
    Trey flipped the notebook closed, then slipped it into his pocket. He’d pissed them off big-time, and he wasn’t done yet.
    â€œNearly, Mr. Sealy. There’s just one more thing I need.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” Marcus asked.
    â€œWe need DNA samples from both you and Olivia.”
    Olivia turned until she was facing Trey.
    For the first time since he’d walked in the door, they were looking—really looking—at each other, and the pain on her face made him sick.
    â€œNow…see here,” Marcus sputtered.
    Olivia looked at Trey without flinching as she lifted her chin and gave her grandfather’s shoulder a gentle squeeze.
    â€œNo, Grampy, it’s all right. I don’t mind. It’s a small price to pay to get these people out of our lives.”
    Trey flinched. He’d gotten the underlying meaning loud and clear.
    â€œWe’ll see our family doctor tomorrow,” Marcus said.
    Trey’s expression darkened. “I’m sorry, sir, but due to the seriousness of the situation, we need to have the test done in our facilities.”
    â€œSo, Detective Bonney, where would you like us to go?” Olivia asked.
    â€œI’ll take you to the crime lab.”
    â€œWe can get ourselves there,” Marcus said.
    â€œNo, sir, if you don’t mind, I need to be with you all the way.”
    â€œAnd if we do mind?” Olivia snapped.
    Her anger was so vivid he could almost feel the slap of her words. Through no fault of his own, he’d been put in the position of being the bearer

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