The Price of Their Fortune Chapter 07
The boys stared at me with the same vacant eyes and said nothing.
From the bed, I studied each person before me–my wife, my best friend, and my parents.
Their faces held anticipation, greed, and impatience, but not one of them showed concern for my injuries.
I raised a weak hand. “Delia, you’re absolutely certain these three boys are my biological sons?”
“Of course,” she answered firmly. “They’re your children.”
I looked toward my parents and Travis. “And all of you agree? You personally know Delia gave birth to them?”
“Obviously,” my mother snapped. “Stop stalling and acknowledge them.”
“They look exactly like you,” Travis said, folding his arms.
I nodded. “Then since all of you are so certain, look behind you.”
The hospital door opened again.
Detectives entered wearing body cameras, accompanied by two child–protection specialists.
The excitement on my family’s faces vanished into shock and panic.
A detective displayed her badge. “We received credible information that these children may be victims of trafficking. Everyone here must cooperate with the investigation.”
My mother reacted first with a shriek.
“Trafficking? They’re my grandsons.”
“Are they?” I looked at my former law–school classmate.
Aaron Pierce stepped forward and handed the detective the DNA report. “My client, Nathan Lynch, completed accredited testing showing no biological relationship to any of the children.
“Delia Monroe and the others knew about that result and continued attempting to force a false acknowledgment of paternity. That makes their motive and their knowledge of the children’s origin material to this investigation.
“We believe the false family claim may have been intended to conceal the children’s identities and facilitate additional offenses.
“We also possess video and audio evidence documenting Travis Cole’s assault on my client and the participation of several others.”
Travis went white. My parents froze beside him.
“No, that’s not true!” Delia shouted, losing all composure. The children belong to Nathan. The report is false.” “We’ll determine that through evidence,” the detective said
“For now, you’ll come with us for interviews. The boys will be placed with Franklin Child Protection Services while the Interstate Missing Children DNA Network searches for their family.”
