Chapter 106: Chapter One-Hundred-Six

Grace’s POV

As we pulled into the parking lot of the police station, I spotted Quinn's sleek black car already waiting.

She stepped out as we approached, impeccable as always in a tailored suit, her expression giving nothing away. But her eyes softened when she saw me.

"How are you holding up?" she asked.

"I'm okay," I said, managing a small smile. "Got some good news this morning, actually."

Quinn tilted her head, curiosity flashing across her face.

"We will tell you later," Hunter said.

"Well," Quinn said, straightening her shoulders, "let's get this over with so you can go home."

I nodded, taking a deep breath as we approached the station entrance. Reporters clustered near the doors, cameras at the ready. Hunter's arm went around me protectively.

"Mrs. Sinclair! Is it true you're pregnant?" one shouted.

"Hunter! Do you have any comment?"

Quinn stepped in front of us, her voice cutting through the chaos. "No questions. Mrs. Sinclair is here to cooperate fully with the investigation. That's all you need to know."

We pushed through, the station doors closing behind us with a heavy thud. Inside, the atmosphere was tense but controlled. Detective Morrison was waiting, her expression carefully neutral.

"Mrs. Sinclair, Mr. Sinclair," she greeted us. "Thank you for coming in."

Quinn moved slightly in front of me. "Where will this interview be conducted? My client has had a long morning."

Morrison nodded. "We've set up one of the conference rooms. More comfortable than the interview rooms."

I appreciated the small consideration. As we followed her through the station, I felt eyes on us from every direction. News of Helena's affairs and the Chief's suspension had clearly spread through the ranks.

The conference room was plain but not intimidating, a long table, comfortable chairs, a pitcher of water with glasses. Detective Elliott was already waiting, files spread in front of him.

"Please, have a seat," Morrison gestured to the chairs.

I sat with Hunter on one side and Quinn on the other, feeling slightly more secure with them flanking me. Morrison took a seat across from us, Elliott beside her.

"Before we begin," Quinn said, her voice crisp, "I'd like to state for the record that Mrs. Sinclair is here voluntarily to assist with your investigation into the medical malpractice at Fertility Solutions. She was a victim in this situation."

Morrison nodded. "Understood. We've reviewed the diary entries thoroughly. We're not looking to implicate Mrs. Sinclair in any wrongdoing."

Relief washed through me. Hunter's hand found mine under the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Let's start from the beginning," Morrison said, opening a folder. "When did Helena first approach you about being a surrogate?"

I took a deep breath, thinking back to that day. "It was about six months ago. Helena and my mother came to my apartment together. They said they'd been talking, and Helena wanted to start a family with Hunter. But she couldn't carry a baby herself because of—" I hesitated, not wanting to reveal too much "—medical reasons."

"And they specifically asked you to be their surrogate?"

"Yes. Helena said it needed to be family. Someone she could trust."

Elliott made a note. "Were you aware of the legal requirements for surrogacy in New York state?"

Quinn cut in smoothly. "Detective, my client is not an expert in reproductive law. The doctors at the clinic were responsible for ensuring all legal requirements were met."

Morrison nodded. "Fair enough. Mrs. Sinclair, did anyone at the clinic discuss these requirements with you?"

"No," I said honestly. "The first doctor I saw seemed concerned that I might not cope with handing a child over. Then suddenly there was a new doctor. Everything moved very quickly after that."

"Did you find that unusual?"

I thought about it. "I knew Helena was very good at getting her way. It wasn't until later, after finding the diary, that I realized the extent of it."

"And when you agreed to the surrogacy, did you understand that your own eggs would be used? Or did you believe you were carrying embryos created from Helena's eggs and Hunter's sperm?"

My throat tightened. "I was told they were Helena's eggs. I never consented to using my own."

Hunter's grip on my hand tightened. I could feel the tension radiating from him.

"The diary indicates that Helena paid Dr. Levinson to harvest your eggs during what you believed was just a preliminary examination. Can you tell us about that appointment?"

I swallowed hard, the memory making me queasy. "I was told it was just a standard exam to make sure I was healthy enough to be a surrogate. They gave me something to 'relax' me. I was drowsy afterward but didn't think much of it."

Elliott leaned forward. "And you never signed any consent forms for egg retrieval?"

"Absolutely not." My voice came out sharper than I intended.

"When did you discover the truth? About the eggs being yours, not Helena's?"

"After Helena died," I said softly.

Morrison's expression softened slightly. "That must have been quite a shock."

I nodded, not trusting my voice. Hunter's thumb traced circles on my palm, silently supporting me.

"Mrs. Sinclair," Elliott said, his tone careful, "did you have any reason to believe your sister and mother were involved in anything illegal regarding the surrogacy?"

Quinn straightened beside me. "Be careful how you phrase your questions, Detective."

Elliott nodded. "Let me rephrase. Were there any red flags during the process that, in hindsight, might have indicated something wasn't right?"

I considered the question. "There was a psychological evaluation. The first psychologist seemed concerned that I might not cope with handing a child over. Then suddenly there was a new psychologist who approved me without much questioning."

"And you didn't find that suspicious?"

"I thought Helena had just found someone more... sympathetic to our situation. She was good at that, getting her way."

Morrison made a note. "The diary mentions payments to doctors. Were you aware of any financial arrangements?"

"No." I had guessed, but I hadn't known for sure.

"Including your medical expenses?"

"Yes. I never saw a bill."

The questions continued for what felt like hours. They were thorough but not aggressive. I answered as truthfully as I could, with Quinn occasionally stepping in when a question strayed into territory that might somehow implicate me.

Finally, Morrison closed her folder. "I think that's all we need for now, Mrs. Sinclair. Thank you for your cooperation."

Relief flooded through me. "So what happens now?"

"We continue our investigation into the clinic. Dr. Levinson and several other staff members have already been questioned. Arrests are forthcoming." She hesitated. "As for your mother..."

My stomach clenched. "You're going to arrest her."

It wasn't a question.

"We have enough evidence from the diary and the clinic records to charge her with multiple felonies," Elliott confirmed. "I'm sorry."

I nodded, surprising myself with how little I felt about it. "Don't be. She made her choices."

Hunter's hand tightened around mine.

"My father was innocent in it all."