A few relatives shifted uncomfortably.
Arthur’s younger brother, Ben, who had been leaning near the hallway, looked away as if ashamed he had not said that himself.
Victoria’s mouth tightened. “There were other signs.”
“What signs?” I asked.
She opened her mouth, then closed it.
General Hayes folded the report and placed it neatly on the coffee table.
“Mrs. Sterling,” he said to Victoria, “where did you obtain the sample labeled as Captain Sterling’s daughter?”
Victoria glanced at Arthur.
Arthur answered reluctantly. “Mom sent in a cheek swab.”
“From Chloe?”
“Yes.”
“Collected by whom?”
“My mother.”
“And the sample labeled as yours?”
Arthur hesitated. “She used my toothbrush.”
The General’s expression did not change, but something in the room did.
Even Victoria’s sister, Aunt Paula, looked startled.
“You used my toothbrush?” Arthur asked, turning to his mother.
“You were upset,” Victoria said. “You needed answers.”
“I needed to know you were taking a swab from me.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
The words should have sounded loving. Instead, they floated through the room like dust disturbed from old furniture.
Chloe lifted her head and looked at Arthur. Her little eyes were red from crying, but when she saw him, she reached out one hand.
“Da,” she murmured.
Arthur froze.
It was the smallest sound in the world, barely more than breath, but it broke through the room more powerfully than any argument could have.
His face changed.
Not completely. Not enough to undo what had happened. But something cracked.
He took half a step toward us.
I stepped back.