Lisa met us at her office after hours. Ava played with toys in the corner while Lisa reviewed the drawings.
"Has she mentioned this 'brother' before?" Lisa asked quietly.
"Only since Grandma's. She says it's a secret. She says Grandma told her not to tell."
Lisa's face went pale. "Rachel... has your mother-in-law ever lost a child?"
I stared at her. "What? No. Daniel is an only child."
"Are you sure?"
"I mean... I think so. He's never mentioned..."
I pulled out my phone and texted Daniel at work:
"Did your mom ever have another child?"
Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
His response:
"Why are you asking?"
My blood ran cold.
