Agent McCoy shook his head. “We know that he was last seen nearby, in Anacortes. We think that he wanted to meet you.”

“Meet me?”

“He knows that you’re his birth mother,” Agent Alvarez added. “We assumed he came to meet you.”

She raised her eyebrows. Birth mother? This was perhaps the cruelest trick anyone had ever pulled on her. She couldn’t even form a response.

Agent McCoy let out a dramatic sigh and stood up. “DNA doesn’t lie, Claire. Here’s my card. How about you get in touch with us when you’re ready to talk?”

She reached forward and picked up the card from the table. It looked official, not that she’d be able to tell at this point. Her mind was in a tailspin as the agents walked away.

“But if you wait too long,” he added, looking over his shoulder, “we won’t be able to help you.”

By the time she looked up again, they were gone. She stared at the card in her hand. It had his name, an office phone, and a cell phone. That seemed like a lot for a prank.

What did he mean that DNA didn’t lie? She didn’t care what the company said. They’d made a mistake!

Claire stood up, pacing the room. What was she supposed to do? What if some criminal actually did come looking for her? She could call the FBI guy, but it might be too late.

What kind of crime were they investigating? Maybe if the guy thought she was his mother, he wouldn’t hurt her. Unless he was bitter that she’d abandoned him.

Claire sat down at the table again, the room spinning around her.

Chapter Four

It had been half an hour. Claire was blowing him off, and Chip didn’t have all day to wait around for a meeting with her. Steve never used to keep him waiting – he was always available when someone needed him.

Chip got up from his desk, taking both packets with him. She wasn’t in the lobby or the restaurant. No sign of her out on the patio, either. He was about to get on the elevator when Linda caught his arm.

“If you’re looking for Claire, she’s in the banquet hall.”

“I was. Thanks.”

Linda tightened her grip. “I tried to eavesdrop. It was hard to hear, but those FBI agents were not happy with her.”

“They can get in line,” Chip said firmly before walking off.

Claire was inside, as promised, staring at her phone. This was why she’d kept him waiting? So she could play Gigi in the corner?

“You forgot your papers,” he said.

She jumped a little, then looked up at him. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. Thank you.”

“Are you ready to go over them, or…?”