While we were flying to the US, Annelie called to talk with me about something, so I went into one of the bedrooms to be alone. “There is something wrong with Carrie’s birth information,” she said, “at first look it seemed that everything was proper, but then I went back to check and make sure I had everything correct.

That is when I noticed something, it was not an original document, even though it looked right, very close to what it should be, but there was something different about it. That means that someone has tampered with the information. Now I am not sure what to think.” “Hmm, that is interesting,” I said, “let me get Carrie in here to see if she can help us.”

I then called Carrie and Sky to come in and join me. I told them what Annelie had found out and asked Carrie if she knew anything about it. “I have no idea,” she said, “except that mom told me one time that when I got old enough, she would tell me something about my birth. She said it was a hard time for her, but I thought she just meant the birth was hard.”

“Do you think it would be possible to find out what happened?” I asked Annelie. “I will check with Mr. B, maybe his lawyers can do something on behalf of Carrie. I will check a couple of things to see if I can find out something more and let you know.” Three hours later Annelie phoned back. “I had to really do some digging on this one,” she said, “but I did find out something.

Carrie’s mom was single at the time and when she married Menton, then somehow they managed to get his name on there as the father. But it must have been something they did themselves since this is not an official hospital document, even though it is almost identical. Timeline has changed a bit too, the original shows that Carrie is actually just 16, not 17.

I am not sure why they would have changed that part. That means she was just 12 in her last year of school, not 13.” “Wow, so she was even younger going through all that she did,” I said, “that could mean that Menton never adopted her, since he is registered as her dad.” “Correct,” said Annelie, “I checked that out too and there is no record anywhere that he adopted her.

So there is no need to get Menton to sign those papers since he is not her father. And I have the original birth documents now to prove he is not her father.” “Hmm, I think we will get a DNA test done just to make sure of that. If true and with her mother dead, she can be adopted legally,” I said, “that is great! But, we still need to pay a visit to this guy because of what he did to her.”

“I agree with that,” said Annelie, “oh, and there is something else that I learned from Aasta. Maybe she should not have told me this, and I probably should not tell you either, however, I am going to take a chance and tell you anyway. You can get mad at me later.” Well, what she told me was certainly interesting. Sky smiled, and giggled again. Carrie does sound just like Sky.

I called Carrie into the room with us and told her the news. “This is likely what your mom wanted to tell you,” I told her. Carrie had her head down, crying. “Poor mom,” she said, “having to deal with that guy all those years. I am still sure that he killed mom too, she did not fall down those basement stairs, she was pushed.” “Well, we will soon find out something about that too,” I said, “hopefully our plan will get him to confess that he killed your mom.”

Carrie threw her arms around me. “I sure do not know why you are being so kind to me,” she said with tears, “but, thank you so very much!” “I am just happy that we can help out in a small way,” I said, “and we will make Menton pay for what he did to you and your mom. He is going to have a terrible few days, that I promise.” After landing we went right to work. We knew that Menton and his sons were away on a buying trip and would be home later the next day.

So we had time to sleep a bit tonight and then went to work early the next morning at their house. Carrie cautiously came inside the house, holding Muffin for support. The other cats came too and began sniffing around for drugs. They found plenty, but we left them in place for now. We will take them later once Menton is back home. She also took Crystal, John and Rock to the basement, she wanted to retrieve some pictures, but she could not find them.

They may be in the big old safe that was down there. Mac and MC went to work and opened the safe quite quickly, they make a good team. The pictures were in there, and Mac let Crystal take them out so he would not see them. Her and Carrie brought them upstairs and Carrie asked to go back to the van, so Kristina went with her. Muffin went along too.

“Carrie wanted you to see these Steve,” said Crystal, “be prepared for a shock.” After looking at some of them I could understand why she said that. There was also a beautiful, though small, diamond necklace that belonged to Carrie’s grandmother, so I said to take that along too. There was also a lot of cash and drugs in that safe as well. We left that for now, finished our work and went. But we are coming back when Menton and sons get home…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.