The Man Holding the Baby
Chapter 11 - The Man Holding the Baby
I drove straight to Grant's office.
I put the photograph on his desk.
His face went white.
"Where did you get this?"
"Hannah."
He picked it up.
"That's not me."
I stared at him.
We had reached the point where those words almost sounded reasonable.
"Grant."
"It's not."
"It is your face."
He studied the picture.
Then his expression changed.
"Oh, God."
"What?"
He sat down.
"My brother."
Grant had an older half brother named Daniel.
I had met him only twice.
Daniel had spent most of his adult life drifting between states, jobs, and failed businesses.
He and Grant shared the same father.
And when they were younger, the resemblance between them had been remarkable.
Not identical.
Close enough in an old photograph.
"Why would Daniel be holding Eli?"
Grant grabbed his phone.
Daniel didn't answer.
Hannah did.
When we showed her a current photograph of Daniel, she covered her mouth.
"That's him."
She began to cry.
The man who visited her after Eli was born had introduced himself as Grant's brother.
He said Grant had sent him.
Daniel brought five thousand dollars in cash.
He told Hannah Grant wanted to help, but could never be involved.
"I believed him."
Grant looked sick.
"I never sent Daniel."
Piece by piece, the truth surfaced.
Margaret had sent him.
She couldn't risk appearing herself.
She gave Daniel money to deliver to Hannah.
But Daniel told Hannah the money came from Grant.
Another layer.
Another lie.
"Why would your mother involve Daniel?" I asked.
Grant gave a bitter laugh.
"Because he'd do anything for money."
We drove to Margaret's house again.
This time, Grant didn't knock politely.
Daniel was inside.
Nine years after holding Eli as a newborn, he was sitting at Margaret's kitchen table.
"Perfect timing," Margaret said coldly.
Grant threw the photograph down.
"Tell me."
Daniel looked at it.
Then at his brother.
"I'm sorry."
Grant stepped closer.
"What did she pay you to do?"
Daniel's eyes moved toward Margaret.
She said nothing.
Finally, he answered.
"Deliver the cash."
"That's all?"
A long silence.
"No."
Grant's voice became quiet.
"What else?"
May you like
Daniel swallowed.
"She paid me to make sure Hannah never tried to contact you again."
