Chapter 18
THE WOMAN WITH THE RED SCARF
Twenty minutes later, the police had the threatening messages, the vehicle description, and the information about the chapel.
Dr. Mercer had also contacted the hospital's records department to request preservation of the original delivery records.
While officers coordinated their response, another vehicle approached the mansion.
A woman stepped out.
She wore a red scarf.
I recognized her immediately from Olivia's description.
She entered the foyer with both hands raised.
“My name is Evelyn Whitcomb.”
Daniel moved toward her.
“Where is my son?”
Evelyn flinched.
“I came because Charles has lost his mind.”
I stepped forward.
“Where is Elijah?”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“At the chapel. Charles took him after he realized I contacted Dr. Mercer.”
“Why did you contact him?”
“Because Elijah started asking questions.”
She reached into her handbag and withdrew a worn photograph.
It showed a newborn lying inside an incubator.
On the back was written:
Elijah Reynolds — August 17.
My knees weakened.
Evelyn looked at me.
“I raised him, Commander. I fed him, held him when he was sick, taught him to ride a bicycle.”
Her voice broke.
“But I always knew something was wrong.”
I stared at her.
“What did Charles tell you?”
“That Elijah's mother had died during childbirth. That his father was unknown. That the hospital had arranged a private adoption.”
“And you believed him?”
“For years.”
She wiped her cheeks.
“Then Elijah developed a heart condition. When I requested his complete medical history, Charles became furious.”
Dr. Mercer stepped closer.
“What condition?”
“A congenital valve abnormality. He's stable, but his cardiologist wanted more family information.”
I felt my chest tighten.
Sophia had been monitored for a similar condition during infancy.
Evelyn continued.
“Three weeks ago, I found documents in Charles's safe. Hospital identification records. Trust distributions. And a copy of your divorce decree.”
She looked directly at me.
“That's when I realized Elijah might have a mother who was alive.”
“Why didn't you call me?”
“I tried to find you. Charles discovered what I was doing.”
Her voice shook.
“He threatened to take Elijah away forever.”
I looked at this woman who had raised a child I might have lost.
For a moment, anger threatened to consume me.
Then I saw her hands.
They were trembling exactly like mine.
Whatever Evelyn had believed, she loved that little boy.
And I knew Elijah would need that love even after the truth came out.