“This won’t take long and it’s kind of embarrassing. You see, my wife’s a huge fan of your work. Well, I am, too. It’s kind of why I’m calling you personally. Anyway, I’d mentioned your query and we thought that if it had something to do with a book you’re working on then there’s something you should know.”

“And what’s that?”

Ben’s annoyance with Kayla for crossing a line competed with his attention.

“Well, it’s none of my business of course,” Parkerfield said. “And, I am going outside school rules. Can we keep this call confidential, Mr. Grant?”

What’s with this guy? “Yes, but I’m pressed for time.”

“It has to do with Darmont Hill College’s Student Names Policy.”

“The Names Policy?”

“Most schools have such policies. Former students can request a name change to their records and diplomas. It’s mostly common when they get married, or change their name for other reasons, as long as they supply the proper documents.”

“I see.”

“Mr. Grant…” Parkerfield lowered his voice. “The woman you enquired about, Emma Anne Chance? She didn’t attend and graduate from Dalton under that name.”

“What?”

Now Parkerfield had Ben’s full attention.

“No, not long after she graduated she requested and received a name change. All of her records were changed to be under the name Emma Anne Chance and we issued a new diploma with the changed name.”

Ben swallowed hard. “Do you know what Emma’s name—I mean Emma Chance’s name was prior to her changing it?”

“Yes, it was Vanessa Prather.”

Ben shook his head. He was shocked into a moment of silence, but then realized it must be a coincidence, and forced himself to recover. “Is that her full name?”

“Full name is Vanessa Claire Prather.”

His heart pounded. “You’re certain?”

“Yes. She’s originally from Maryland.”

“Spell out her full name.”

Parkerfield spelled it out. It matched the name Tessa had found.

Ben’s stomach heaved, his knees buckled and he staggered, slamming his back against the car door, his shirt bunching up his back as he slid to the sidewalk, staring at the Klassyn duplex as Clinton Parkerfield’s tiny voice called to him from a million miles away.

Seventy-Seven

Orange County, California
Present day

Striding back and forth in her living room, hugging herself, Emma battled to calm the tingling in her chest.

Her throat had gone dry, constricted as if a noose were tightening around it.

Through the front window, she glimpsed an Orange County Sheriff’s car rushing down her street.

Time was ticking down on her.

Her first thought was to get her passport, and Kayla’s, and fly to Canada to join Ben.

I could figure things out there. But could I survive going back to Eternity?