The people of Dawn's Light were surprised to see federal agents walk into Mike's Place.
Michael Cole had been a pillar of the community for almost thirty years. He owned the best BBQ restaurant in the tri-county area. Food Network wanted to do a special about the man and his business. Local charities could always count on a donation from the genial man. Women had tried and failed to bag the childless bachelor. Despite his local fame, no one really knew anything about the man's personal life and past.
"Do you know a Maria de la Cruz?" The agent asked as soon as the office door was closed.
His stomach dropped. "We briefly dated over thirty years ago. We parted on bad terms. I was not a good man in those days." He really hoped she did not turn into a cold case file. He watched plenty of those programs to know the boyfriend or ex-boyfriend always got hauled in for questioning.
"Did you know she was pregnant?"
Michael glared at the two agents. "No. Care to tell me why you are here."
A thick file was placed on the desk. Maria had given birth to his son: Juan Carlos Ortiz. The timeline matched up and he knew how she felt about monogamy. Then, she proceeded to hook up with a long line of shit bag husbands and boyfriends. She produced one daughter before dying of a heroin overdose in her dealer/boyfriend's car. His son, how strange to think that, had been stabbed to death in a California prison three years ago. Now, his only known child was Reborn.
"Why are you telling me this?" He asked.
Agent Li fidgeted. "You are the next of kin. A paternity test will be done." As if that explained everything.
Michael stood to stare out his office window. He had a child who lived, died, and returned. A child he never saw or touched. "What do I have to do?"