I didn’t want to ask him in front of Tyler, so I waited until I had a chance to speak to him alone.
I told Noah I had something interesting downstairs and asked him to follow me into the basement.
Once we were alone, I pointed at the necklace.
“Where did you get that?”
He touched the pendant.
“This? My dad gave it to me.”
“My heart started pounding.
“What’s your father’s name?”
Noah’s smile disappeared.
“Michael.”
I couldn’t breathe.
My brother.
Michael.
Without thinking, I pulled the basement door shut and locked it.
“We’re calling the police,” I said through the door.
Noah grabbed the handle.
“Why did you lock me in here?”
“I’m sorry.”
A moment later, Tyler came into the room carrying two cans of soda.
“Mom, what are you doing?”
“Tyler, put those down.”
“Why is Noah locked in the basement?”
“I need to make a phone call.”
“The police?”
“Yes.”
Tyler stared at me as if I’d lost my mind.
I opened an old photo album and pulled out a picture of Michael wearing the same silver pendant.
I handed it to Tyler.
“Look at his neck.”
Tyler stared at the photograph, then toward the basement.
“No.”
I pointed to the picture.
“Noah has the same birthmark behind his ear. And he said his father’s name is Michael.”
Tyler went pale.
“Mom…”
Before long, the police arrived. I explained everything, including Michael’s disappearance, the necklace, the birthmark, and Noah’s father’s name.
Noah wasn’t under arrest. He hadn’t done anything wrong. I was simply desperate for answers.
Then one of the officers asked Noah where his father was.
“At home,” Noah said.
My stomach dropped.
“Call him,” I whispered.
Noah took out his phone.
His father answered after three rings.
Even from several feet away, I recognized the voice.
Older.
Deeper.
But familiar.
Noah asked, “Dad, where did you get Grandpa’s necklace?”
There was a long silence.
Then Noah said, “I’m at Tyler’s house. His mom says she knows it.”
He gave his father my name.
“Diane.”
The silence on the other end lasted so long I thought the call had dropped.
