CHAPTER 3: THE COLD TRAIL
The following morning, Elena used her two-hour break to rush into downtown Chicago. She walked into a private genetic laboratory, paying the expedited testing fee with the last of her savings.
“Results take twenty-four hours,” the technician said flatly.
Elena nodded, her mind racing. Twenty-four hours to gather evidence before the truth blew open.
Instead of taking the bus back immediately, Elena walked three blocks north to St. Jude’s Memorial Hospital. The hospital had undergone extensive renovations, but the records office remained in the basement.
Using her old patient ID card, Elena approached the records window. “I need a certified copy of my delivery records from last October. Elena Vance.”
The elderly clerk typed on an ancient keyboard, frowning as the monitor refreshed. “That’s strange.”
“What is?” Elena asked, leaning closer to the glass.
“Your medical records were transferred to private archive custody four months ago by court order. The attending physician on your case, Dr. Arthur Campbell, resigned right after that.”
Elena’s pulse spiked. “Do you have an address for Dr. Campbell?”
The clerk shook her head. “Private information, honey. But I know he took early retirement out in Oakridge. People say he bought a massive lake house out of nowhere.”
Elena thanked the woman and stepped out into the biting wind. A doctor suddenly buying luxury property after declaring her baby dead. The Sterling family suddenly adopting an infant in complete secrecy with no surrogate record.
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The puzzle pieces were clicking into place, forming a picture far darker than she had ever imagined.
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