Chapter 37: Chapter Thirty-Six
First thing Friday morning, I went downstairs to get coffee started before showering and getting dressed. When the coffee was ready, I filled a travel mug and took it with me out to the car, on my way to the DNA lab. The walkway was covered with frost, but it would soon melt in the sun that was already clearing the treetops.
An hour later I was back, having submitted samples for the retest Aisha and I had discussed. It had been more complicated than I expected, but we’d gotten it done.
I was determined to stay focused today, to rise above the funk I’d been in since Monday night. My concern for Maddy was increasing with every passing hour, but letting myself sink into anxiety and panic helped no one.
I opened the fridge door and scowled—it could use a thorough cleaning. I sighed. The effort seemed ridiculous at a time like this, but the mindless task suddenly appealed to me. It would at least give me something to do. I began removing bottles and containers, setting them on the kitchen table.
I had just pitched out a virtually empty mustard bottle when the doorbell rang. A glance through the window told me it was Bob.
When I pulled the door open, he gave me a lopsided grin. “Hi—I’m just stopping by for a few minutes. Can I come in?”
I stepped back. “Sure—if you don’t mind watching me clean my fridge.”
He followed me into the kitchen and leaned against the doorjamb. I turned back to the fridge, pulling out several half-full Tupperware containers and inspecting them. Leftovers. I hadn’t cooked since Maddy left, so these were long past saving. I scraped their contents into the green bin for composting and put the containers in the dishwasher. Bob said nothing, watching me.
Maybe I should be hospitable. “Would you like something? Coffee, water…”
“No, nothing, thanks. I won’t stay long.”
The fridge was empty now, all except the vegetable drawers. I pulled them out and began separating shriveled greens from still-usable garlic, celery, and red peppers.
He shifted position. “I have some news.”
I looked at him sharply. “About Maddy?”
“Yes. Well, not about finding her. But it is about her.”
My interest in vegetables vanished. “Well—?”
“I told you the Edmonton lab uploaded Hannah’s DNA to the National DNA Databank. And I took in that hair sample from Maddy. Mac managed to light a fire under the lab here and got the comparative analysis fast-tracked—unheard of, but somehow they got it done already.”
He watched me as he spoke. “He emailed me a copy of the report last night. I would have phoned you, but it was late…”
My breath caught, and I stared at him. “And?”
He smiled. “And the two samples don’t match.” He gave me a searching gaze. “This is the proof you were looking for. Maddy is definitely not Hannah.”
I stared at him. “You could have told me that the minute you walked in. Or phoned…”
He flushed. “I wanted to see your face when I told you. And...I was enjoying watching you work.”
I frowned, grabbing a dishtowel to dry my hands. “You think I’d rather clean my fridge than hear this news?”
“No. Sorry. You’re right, I should have told you right away.”
I waved that away. “Anyway.” I leaned against the sink, suddenly feeling lighter as relief washed over me. “So that’s the proof. Daniel’s been wrong all along.”
“Yes, it’s definite.”
“Does he know?”
“Not yet. I’ll stop by his house later today and tell him.”
I turned my eyes to the clutter I’d left on the counter, though not fully registering it. “When this all started, that’s the only thing I wanted. To prove that he was wrong.”
He nodded. “But now the problem’s way bigger than that.”
I choked back a sudden sob. “Now all I want is to get Maddy home safe.” I’d make any bargain—with the fates, with myself, with Maddy—if I could just make that happen.