Read Online Bloodlines by Dinah McCall - Free Book Online

residence?” he asked.
    There was a moment of hushed silence, then a surprised lilt to the woman’s voice.
    â€œYes…yes, it is. Who’s calling, please?”
    Trey’s heart skipped a beat. Pay dirt!
    â€œThis is Detective Trey Bonney with the Dallas, Texas, police department. I want to talk to Terrence Sealy.”
    â€œOh no! Has something happened to Marcus?”
    â€œNo, ma’am. Nothing like that. Who am I speaking to, please?”
    â€œOh, yes, of course. I’m Carolyn, Terry’s wife. He’s gone for the day and won’t be home until evening. Can I be of help to you?”
    â€œI certainly hope so, and I’ll get straight to the point. A few days ago, the remains of a small child were found in a house at Lake Texoma. She had been murdered about twenty-five years ago, then put in a suitcase and hidden behind a wall. Early investigations lead us to believe that the child might have been a Sealy.”
    â€œOh my God! How awful! But why would you suspect such a…oh! Olivia’s kidnapping! But we got her back,” Carolyn said.
    â€œYes, ma’am, but we’re still questioning the remaining Sealys.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œThe child that was found had been born with two thumbs on her left hand. A pretty distinctive trait.”
    â€œDear Lord…well, what would you be wanting with us? We weren’t able to have children.”
    â€œMa’am, this is a very personal question, and forgive me for asking, but I have to know. Was it you or your husband who had the infertility problems?”
    â€œIt was me, but that doesn’t—”
    There was a gasp, then a long moment of silence.
    â€œMrs. Sealy? Are you still there?”
    â€œYes. Yes, I’m here,” she said. “Are you insinuating that my husband had an affair? That he fathered some child that was subsequently murdered?”
    â€œI’m not insinuating anything,” Trey said. “What I am doing is eliminating all the suspects.”
    â€œHow do you propose to do that?” Carolyn asked.
    â€œI need a DNA sample from your husband.”
    â€œThis is horrible,” she muttered.
    â€œNo, ma’am. What’s horrible is what was stuffed in that suitcase.”
    â€œDear Lord…”
    â€œCan I count on your cooperation?” Trey asked.
    Carolyn answered without hesitation. “What do you want him to do?”
    â€œI don’t suppose you would consider coming back to Dallas for the tests and to answer a few more questions?”
    â€œThat far? But—”
    â€œIt would mean a lot to the department, ma’am.”
    Carolyn Sealy sighed. “It would mean a lot to me, too,” she said. “I mean, coming back to Dallas. I miss living in the States, and it’s been ages since we’ve seen Marcus.” There was a moment’s pause, and then she said, “Yes, we’ll come back.”
    â€œThis is my number,” Trey said, then recited it. “Call me when you get into the city. We’ll set up a time and place to meet and get this taken care of.”
    Carolyn sighed, as if anxious to get rid of his call. “We’ll be in touch,” she said, and hung up.
    Trey put the phone back on the receiver, then rubbed the back of his neck. One more possible link in the chain.
    Â 
    Marcus speared a slice of meat from the serving platter and delivered it to his plate, then poured a smallhelping of mushroom gravy next to it before resuming his meal. At the first bite of meat, he rolled his eyes in satisfaction.
    â€œOh my, Olivia. Rose has outdone herself tonight. The tenderloin is delicious.” Then he noticed that her plate was still empty and frowned. “What’s the matter, darling?” He sat up a little straighter as concern tinged his voice. “Are you ill?”
    Olivia stifled a sigh, then made herself smile.
    â€œNo, Grampy, I’m fine. Just not very