Page 79 of Lost Lake
His shoulders slumped, and he stared blankly at the wall.
“Second, the sample matched two men in the database.” She paused, and El heard her draw in a long breath.
The suspense was killing El, but after Gabe’s reaction to the baby’s gender, she wouldn’t push Sierra along, but would be patient for her to reveal the name. Still, she gripped the edges of the table as she waited.
“I’ll send a report with both of the names,” she said, “but I think the one you’ll want to know about, is you, Gabe. It’s a familial match to you.”
All blood drained from Gabe’s head and the world spun in circles. He might pass out. He grabbed the phone from El’s hand as if that would make a difference. “What do you mean a match to me?”
“The findings are consistent with a first-degree relative,” Sierra said. “A parent, child or full sibling. We refined it using gender. Male. Your dad’s in the system too, and it’s a match to him as well.”
“Then why focus on me?” Gabe asked even though the real question he should be thinking is why would one of his family members be involved with Kenna?
“Because we refined it further using age. Even if the DNA sample didn’t give us an approximate age of thirty-three, your father isn’t likely capable of having more children. This left the only other male relative in our database.”
“Me,” Gabe said. “But I can assure you, I’m not the father of the child.”
“Do you have another male relative in this age range who doesn’t have a criminal record?” Sierra asked.
Gabe’s mind whirled with the news, but though he could hardly believe it, he immediately knew the answer. “My brother, Brad.”
“Is he your only male sibling?” Sierra asked.
“Yes.” Gabe’s hand shook so badly he set the phone on the table before he dropped it.
“Then it looks like your brother is the father of Kenna’s child,” Sierra said matter-of-factly. It sounded like she’d put a megaphone to her phone, and her statement roared through Gabe’s brain.
He took a moment to catch his breath and come to grips with what she was saying.
His brother, Brad. A relationship with Kenna. Father of her baby.
No. He couldn’t believe it.
“This can’t possibly be.” Gabe pulled out a chair and sank onto it, leaning his elbows on his knees and taking in more oxygen. “Kenna detested my family’s criminal behavior as much as I did. There’s no way she’d be in a relationship with Brad.”
“I apologize if this offends you,” Sierra said, “but it might not have been a consensual relationship.”
“That could make some sense,” El said. “Perhaps the voicemail she left you was that she was afraid of him, and he used the baby to get her to stop at the lake to talk to him.”
“And he killed her? My brother killed my best friend?” Gabe shoved a hand into his hair. “No. No. Don’t tell me that. I couldn’t possibly live with that.”
“I’m sorry, Gabe,” Sierra said. “But just because he’s the father of the baby doesn’t mean he killed Kenna. Whether you like it or not, they could’ve been in a relationship.”
“She’s right.” El looked at him, concern flooding her expression. “Is there anything else, Sierra?”
“No. Looks like I’ve done enough damage for the day. I’ll get back to you as soon as other results come in.”
The phone went dark, matching the color of Gabe’s heart right now. He didn’t know what to do. What to think. Other than that he wanted to hurt his brother in the worst way.
He jumped to his feet and grabbed his keys from the counter.
“Where are you going?” El asked.
“To see my brother.”
“With the mood you’re in, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Not to mention, it’s the middle of the night.” She pushed in front of him, blocking his way.
Didn’t matter. He could simply step around her, or with his strength, easily force her out of the way.
