The first line read:
Richard,
The transfer did not go according to plan.
My hands began trembling.
I kept reading.
The child assigned to Claire survived.
The Cole infant was moved as instructed.
But there is a problem.
Someone switched the identification bands before the handoff.
I stopped breathing.
Another message from Vanessa appeared.
There’s a second page.
I stared at the screen.
SEND IT.
The typing dots appeared.
Then disappeared.
Appeared again.
My phone rang.
Vanessa.
I answered immediately.
“What does the second page say?”
She didn’t speak.
“Vanessa?”
When she finally answered, her voice sounded strange.
“I don’t understand it.”
“Read it to me.”
“I think you should see it.”
“Vanessa, please.”
Paper rustled on the other end.
Then she began reading.
“The boy Claire took home is not the Cole infant.”
My knees weakened.
I grabbed the bathroom counter.
Vanessa continued.
“The error was discovered too late. Richard says the truth must remain buried until the third child can be located.”
