The Truth About Rachel by Deanna Sletten (recommended reading .TXT) 📕

“Wow, that was fast.”

“Yeah, it was. Let’s go.”

***

Rachel and Avery sat in chairs across the desk from Jeremy, who looked none too pleased with Avery being there.

“I don’t know who you know on the inside, but that test came back awfully fast,” Jeremy said, scowling. “As well as the comparison to Keith’s DNA.”

Rachel grinned. “I guess I have luck on my side. So, tell me. Does it match?”

Jeremy laid out several sheets of paper in front of him. “It’s a little more complicated than that,” he said. “DNA is measured in something called centimorgans, cM for short. The more centimorgans that match, the higher the possibility you and that person are related. Full siblings share between 2300 to 3300 cM. Half-siblings share 1300 to 2300 cM. Anything lower than 1300 fans out into other family members, like cousins.”

Rachel tried to sound patient, but she wished Jeremy would just get to the point. “Okay. So, what level of DNA do Keith and I share?”

Jeremy pushed two of the sheets toward Rachel. “You show that you’re in the 1200s.”

Rachel studied the papers as Avery leaned over and looked at them too. “That can’t possibly be,” Rachel protested. “He’s my brother. How can we not have a higher match?”

“I don’t know. According to this, you’re related. Either as half-siblings, which would be a stretch or as a first cousin.”

Rachel frowned. It didn’t make any sense.

“Oh, it gets stranger,” Jeremy said, smugly. He pushed the other two sheets toward her. “I took the liberty to ask for a match between you and your father and mother.”

Rachel’s eyes shot up. “My father and mother? How did you get their DNA?”

“We had their blood taken as evidence after the murder. The parents are the first people who are investigated when a child dies. It was used for blood type then, not DNA. I checked, and there were still samples available, so I had them match it up against yours.”

“And?” Rachel asked.

“It’s right there in front of you. Your mother is a match, although it’s not perfect. But your father doesn’t match with you at all. He’s definitely Keith’s father, but there’s no way he’s your biological father.”

Rachel fell back in her chair, stunned. She watched as Avery picked up the sheets and compared them. When she looked over at him, he nodded his head.

“That’s what it looks like,” he said softly.

She thought back through the years at how kind and loving her father had been to her while her mother had been so cold. How could he not have been her real father? Had her mother had an affair? Did her father know? Is that how she and Keith became half-siblings? It was all so confusing.

“As I said,” Jeremy interrupted her thoughts. “You could be Keith’s half-sister or first cousin. It’s iffy. But you’re related to your mother. Although, your parents’ blood could have degraded after thirty-five years and the tests aren’t correct.”

Rachel crossed her arms. “So, all of this could be false?”

Jeremy shrugged. “Maybe. Everything except your relationship to Keith.”

She sighed, and Avery scooted over closer and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

“Now what?” she asked Jeremy. “Even if I’m only a half-sibling, will you still let me look at the murder evidence?”

Jeremy ran his hand through his hair. “Technically, pulling out evidence and allowing family members to look through it is against the rules. And if all you are is a first cousin—which you could be—then that means the dead girl is Rachel Parnell. I’m not sure I can get permission from the DA to allow you to see the evidence.”

Rachel’s heart pounded with anger. “You said if I could prove I was related, I could see that evidence. Now you’re saying I can’t?”

Jeremy shrugged. “This DNA test doesn’t really prove anything.”

She stood quickly, and Avery stood with her. “I am Rachel Parnell!” she yelled.

Jeremy stood and stared at her with those dark, beady eyes. “Prove it.”

“I will!” Rachel turned on her heel and stormed out of the office with Avery close behind her.

“Rachel? Wait up,” Avery called.

She was already on the sidewalk and striding quickly away. When she heard his voice, Rachel stopped and turned back toward him. Tears filled her eyes as she walked right into his arms. “I’m right back where I started. I don’t know what to do now. I’m even more confused than ever.”

He hugged her close. “We’ll figure this out. There has to be something we can do to learn the truth.” He led her to the café where they found a table and ordered coffee.

“Okay,” Avery said once Rachel had calmed down. “We have to look at what we have, then we can see what our options are.”

She nodded, wiping away the last of her tears. When their coffee came, she sipped it and took a deep breath. Once again, her face fell. “I forgot to pick up the DNA sheets from Jeremy’s office.”

Avery smiled and lifted the folded sheets from his jacket pocket. “See? I’m good for something.”

Rachel laughed. “Thank you.”

“I haven’t done anything yet.”

“Yes, you have. You’ve stood by me the last couple of days even though I have no proof of who I am. And you were there this morning when I fell to pieces. Now, you’re still willing to help me. You don’t know how much I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome. Now, let’s look at everything again.”

They sat in the café until lunchtime. Avery had retrieved the folder of court case information from his car, and they scoured it again, writing down any important names and information. The District Attorney’s name, the evidence used in the investigation, and the coroner’s report. The girl was described as fifty inches tall and fifty-two pounds with tan skin and long black hair. The description could have easily described Rachel as a child. There was also the information that only Rachel knew.

“I’m the person who scratched Keith’s face,” she told Avery. At this point, she trusted him enough to tell him this one