So far, it’d been radio silence from the cops. I hadn’t heard anything from Hannigan either, even after leaving a couple of messages, and I wasn’t sure if I would. They were likely still sorting through the evidence while I sat there wondering if my uncle was a part of Frank’s twisted web of lies and murder. They’d been more forthcoming with me during the investigation than I would have thought the FBI would be, but at the time, they’d needed something from me. Now that they didn’t need me, would they share the full truth? The image of the women emaciated and shackled in that tiny barren room was seared into my brain and the fact that I got any sleep since Thursday felt like a true miracle.

I faintly heard the sizzling of a frying pan and smelled the tantalizing scent of bacon wafting up the stairs towards my childhood bedroom. I was grateful I’d listened when my parents insisted I spend some time at home recovering. Despite all the difficulty over the truth behind my adoption, they had given me a better life than I would have had otherwise, and their loving embrace comforted me like a safety blanket now. I shivered at the idea of being raised in a household connected to someone like Frank, capable of hurting so many young women.

Andie had been horrified when I’d recounted my adventures at the cabin and had been texting and calling nonstop to make sure I was okay. I appreciated her concern but it was also nice to have some space from her to process. Andie would be the one to help distract me and hype me up when I was ready to get back to everyday life. But right now, I needed a break from it all. I needed my mom and dad.

A soft knock on the door pulled me from my contemplation, and I gave a tired ‘Come in’ that came out mangled by its accompanying yawn.

‘Hi sweetie,’ my mom said, popping her head into the gap as she opened the door. ‘Breakfast is ready whenever you want to come down and join us.’

‘Okay, I’ll be there in a sec,’ I replied, giving her a half smile.

Getting to the bottom of my unread emails, I saw one from 23andMe notifying me of a message from another user. I paused, almost afraid to click on it after the emotional rabbit hole I’d just been down. Reminding myself that my whole family couldn’t be that bad, and at the end of the day, I had helped save two women because of my search, I pushed my nerves aside and navigated to the inbox. After all, maybe this person would help balance out the black spot in my family tree with some light.

I opened the message and began to read.

Dear Elizabeth,