Read Online Birthright by Nora Roberts - Free Book Online Page A

something?”
    Suzanne’s throat snapped shut. Tears threatened to overflow as she stared at Callie’s face. She fought a smile on her lips and clutched her portfolio bag as if it were a beloved child.
    In a way, it was.
    â€œDidn’t mean to startle you,” Callie said when the woman only continued to stare. “Are you looking for someone?”
    â€œYes. Yes, I’m looking for someone. You . . .I need to speak with you. It’s awfully important.”
    â€œMe?” Callie shifted, to block the door. It seemed to herthe woman looked just a little unhinged. “I’m sorry. I don’t know you.”
    â€œNo. You don’t know me. I’m Suzanne Cullen. It’s very important that I speak with you. Privately. If I could come inside, for a few minutes.”
    â€œMs. Cullen, if this is about the dig, you’re welcome to come by during the day. One of us will be happy to explain the project to you. But right now isn’t convenient. I was just on my way out. I’m meeting someone.”
    â€œIf I could have five minutes, you’d see why this is so important. To both of us. Please. Five minutes.”
    There was such urgency in the woman’s voice, Callie stepped back. “Five minutes.” But she left the door open. “What can I do for you?”
    â€œI wasn’t going to come tonight. I was going to wait until . . .” She’d nearly hired a detective again. Had been on the point of picking up the phone to do so. To sit back and wait while facts were checked. “I’ve lost so much time already. So much time.”
    â€œLook, you’d better sit down. You don’t look very well.” The fact was, Callie thought, the woman looked fragile enough to shatter into pieces. “I’ve got some bottled water.”
    â€œThank you.” Suzanne lowered to the side of the bed. She wanted to be clear, she wanted to be calm. She wanted to grab her little girl and hold on to her so tight three decades would vanish.
    She took the bottle Callie offered. Sipped. Steadied. “I need to ask you a question. It’s very personal, and very important.” She took a deep breath.
    â€œWere you adopted?”
    â€œWhat?” With a sound that was part shock, part laugh, Callie shook her head. “No. What the hell kind of question is that? Who the hell are you?”
    â€œAre you sure? Are you absolutely sure?”
    â€œOf course I am. Jesus, lady. Look—”
    â€œOn December 12, 1974, my infant daughter, Jessica, was stolen from her stroller in the Hagerstown Mall.”
    She spoke calmly now. She had, over the years, given countless speeches on missing children and her own ordeal.
    â€œI was there to take my son, her three-year-old brother, Douglas, to see Santa Claus. There was a moment of distraction. A moment. That’s all it took. She was gone. We looked everywhere. The police, the FBI, family, friends, the community. Organizations for missing children. She was only three months old. We never found her. She’ll be twenty-nine on September eighth.”
    â€œI’m sorry.” Annoyance wavered into sympathy. “I’m very sorry. I can’t imagine what it must be like for you, for your family. If you have some idea that I might be that daughter, I’m sorry for that, too. But I’m not.”
    â€œI need to show you something.” Though her breathing was shallow, Suzanne opened the portfolio carefully. “This is a picture of me when I was about your age. Will you look at it, please?”
    Reluctantly, Callie took it. A chill danced up her spine as she studied the face. “There’s a resemblance. That sort of thing happens, Ms. Cullen. A similar heritage, or mix of genes. You hear people say everyone’s got a double. That’s because it’s basically true.”
    â€œDo you see the dimples? Three?” Suzanne brushed her trembling