Page 33 of Tear Me Apart

“Cam, I know the consequences. But something about this feels all wrong to me. If it were me, I’d be banging down the hospital’s doors, threatening a lawsuit if they don’t explain how my kid went home with someone else.”

“But it’s not you. Lauren is trying to protect Mindy. Can you imagine how that girl’s going to feel when the truth comes out, that she’s not Lauren and Jasper’s kid?”

“Only part of that is relevant. She’s actually not Jasper’s kid.”

“What?”

“Lauren’s first husband left when she got pregnant. She met Jasper when Mindy was a newborn, only a few weeks old. Mindy doesn’t know that, either.”

“Where’s the ex?”

“Dead. Diving accident in Mexico.”

She slumps in her chair.

Cameron kneels next to her. “Juliet, I understand why you want to do this. But if you’re found out, you lose everything. How do you explain a sudden genetic match? If you come blazing in with a solution to a problem that has only one answer, you’re going to come under scrutiny. You don’t need your sister’s permission to open an investigation. You’re CBI. Woody will be discreet, I’m sure, under the circumstances. You can search to your heart’s content if this is official. Make your fun little 3-D images of possible family members, maybe even get some press for your new techniques. No disgrace, or potted meat, in sight.”

She knows he’s right. “Of course we have to do this by the book. I’m not going to risk everything for Lauren. God knows she wouldn’t do that for me. I don’t know what I was thinking. Forget I came by, all right? I’m embarrassed to have even brought it up.”

He smiles. “Come now. You love your sister and your niece, and you don’t want to cause them any more pain. I admire you, Juliet. You love deeply, and you’re loyal, and that’s rare nowadays. If there’s anything I can do, you let me know. I’m always willing and able. How about some dinner? Steak?”

“Rain check, Cam? I need to talk to Lauren before I talk to Woody.”

* * *

Juliet calls Lauren when she gets home and is surprised when Lauren answers.

“It’s late, Juliet. What’s wrong?”

“I wanted you to know I’m going to talk to my boss tomorrow. We need to find out what happened to your biological child. I will be discreet, and we will do everything we can to keep names out of the record. I’m going to label Mindy as a Jane Doe. It will be safe, I swear it.”

“What? What are you talking about? You’re opening a case with the CBI?”

“I am. We need—”

“No, no, no. Absolutely not.”

“Lauren. Listen to me—”

The vitriol in her sister’s voice astounds Juliet. “You listen tome, little sister. If you do this, I will never speak to you again. Ever. And I will make sure Mindy doesn’t see you. I will cut you from our lives.”

“You’re overreacting, Lauren. Then again, I don’t know why I’m surprised. You didn’t even tell me Kyle was dead.”

Lauren doesn’t miss a beat. “His death is hardly relevant.”

“You don’t know that. We could have tested him...my God, Lauren, don’t you want to know where your real daughter is?”

Lauren starts to cry, softly. “Please, I’m begging you, leave this alone.”

“I can’t. I’m sorry. A law has been broken, and I am a law enforcement officer.”

“You’re a fucking lab rat. You aren’t even an agent.”

“And on that sisterly note—”

“Wait. Wait. I’m sorry.” Lauren blows out a heavy breath. “Can you come up here tomorrow?”

“I have to work. I need to file the paperwork with the hospital.”