Chapter 11: The Caseworker Who Remembered Everything
Helen Whitmore lived in a small retirement community outside Richmond.
Roy called ahead, but the receptionist initially refused to provide any information.
"Mrs. Whitmore doesn't receive unexpected visitors," she explained.
Roy glanced at the adoption document.
"Tell her Margaret Dawson is coming.""
There was a pause.
Then the receptionist asked us to wait.
Five minutes later, she returned.
"Mrs. Whitmore will see you.""
The woman waiting in the lobby was almost ninety. Her silver hair was neatly arranged, and she wore a blue cardigan over a white blouse.
When she saw me, she stood slowly.
"Margaret?""
I nodded.
"Yes.""
She covered her mouth.
"Oh, Henry.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"You knew my husband?""
Helen looked at the document in my hand.
"I knew what he did.""
Roy pulled out a chair.
"Then perhaps you can explain it.""
Helen sat down.
For several moments, she stared at her hands.
"I was the social worker assigned to Patricia's case in 1987.""
I leaned forward.
"Did you know she had twins?""
Helen nodded.
"Yes. Two healthy boys.""
"Why was one separated from the other?""
"Because Patricia had been struggling financially, and Henry offered to take responsibility for one child.""
I shook my head.
"Why only one?""
Helen sighed.
"Patricia believed Henry would eventually come back for both boys. But Henry told her he could only raise one without destroying his marriage.""
My throat tightened.
"And the other?""
"She asked her sister to take him.""
"Did she?""
Helen looked toward the window.
"Not immediately.""
Roy leaned forward.
"What happened?""
Helen took a deep breath.
"Patricia's sister, Angela, agreed to care for Samuel temporarily. She had two children of her own. She intended to raise him until Patricia could get back on her feet.""
I closed my eyes.
"Then why did the adoption papers name the Millers?""
Helen gave a sad smile.
"Because Henry wanted the arrangement to appear permanent.""
I stared at her.
"Did he forge my signature?""
Helen nodded.
"He brought the paperwork to my office and claimed you had agreed to the arrangement.""
"But I never met you.""
"I know.""
"Then why did you accept it?""
Helen looked ashamed.
"Because Henry was a respected businessman. He had already paid the legal fees, and I trusted his explanation.""
Roy shook his head.
"That wasn't enough.""
"No," she whispered.
"It wasn't.""
I looked at the document.
"What happened to Samuel?""
Helen reached into a drawer and removed an old address book.
"Angela moved to Pennsylvania. She changed her surname after marrying again.""
Daniel leaned forward.
"Do you know where she is now?""
Helen searched several pages.
"She passed away about eight years ago.""
My heart sank.
"Then Samuel?""
Helen looked up.
"Samuel stayed with her until he was eighteen.""
"Did he know who his parents were?""
"Not initially. But Angela eventually told him the truth.""
Daniel looked at me.
"So he knows Henry was his father?""
Helen nodded.
"He contacted Henry several years ago.""
I froze.
"When?""
"About five years ago.""
Roy frowned.
"Did Henry meet him?""
Helen nodded.
"Twice.""
"Why didn't he tell us?""
Helen hesitated.
"Because Samuel was angry.""
I swallowed.
"Angry at whom?""
"Everyone.""
She reached into the drawer again and pulled out a photograph.
It showed a young man in his early thirties standing beside Henry.
The resemblance was unmistakable.
Same eyes.
Same jawline.
Same crooked smile.
I touched the photograph.
"That's him.""
Helen nodded.
"Samuel.""
Daniel stared at the picture.
"He looks like me.""
"He's your twin," Helen said gently.
Daniel looked up sharply.
"You knew?""
"I knew from the beginning.""
I felt tears forming.
"Did Henry tell Samuel about me?""
Helen nodded.
"He told him you were a good woman who had been denied the chance to raise her children.""
I covered my face.
"Then why didn't Samuel come looking for me?""
Helen hesitated.
"Because Thomas found him first.""
Roy straightened.
"What?""
Helen nodded.
"Thomas visited Samuel about three years ago. He offered him money to stay away from the family.""
Daniel's voice hardened.
"How much?""
Helen looked at him.
"Two hundred thousand dollars.""
I gasped.
"And Samuel accepted?""
Helen shook her head.
"No. He refused.""
I felt a strange mixture of relief and fear.
"Where is he now?""
Helen closed the address book.
"I don't know exactly. But I kept one thing Henry gave me.""
She reached beneath the desk and produced a small envelope.
Inside was a handwritten note.
If Margaret ever comes looking for Samuel, give her this.
I opened it.
Henry had written a telephone number.
And one sentence:
Tell her the truth about the night Patricia died.
I looked at Helen.
"What truth?""
Helen's eyes filled.
"Patricia didn't die from complications during childbirth.""
I stopped breathing.
"What?""
Helen nodded.
"She died two days later, after someone visited her in the hospital.""
Roy stood.
"Who?""
Helen looked directly at me.
"Thomas.""
Daniel jumped to his feet.
"Thomas was twelve!""
"I know.""
Helen's voice trembled.
"He came to see Patricia because he was angry about the babies. They argued. She became distressed, and her condition worsened.""
I shook my head.
"Are you saying Thomas killed her?""
"No. I'm saying her death was never properly investigated.""
Daniel looked sick.
Helen continued.
"Before she died, Patricia told me something. She said Thomas had threatened to take both babies away from everyone.""
I clutched the envelope.
"Why didn't you tell the police?""
Helen's eyes filled with tears.
"I was afraid. And Henry begged me to keep quiet.""
Roy looked at the telephone number.
"We need to call Samuel.""
Daniel nodded.
But before he could take the phone, Helen grabbed my wrist.
"Margaret, wait.""
I turned.
She leaned closer and whispered:
"Samuel believes Thomas knows who actually caused Patricia's death.""
My heart stopped.
May you like
Then Helen added:
"And he has proof.""
