disclaimers in previous chapters

thanks to allison and sydne for your help.

The investigation into the drowning at the party was still going although the body had been released for burial. Some unexplained wounds had been found, raising the question as to whether or not the drowning was accidental. Nick and Greg were assigned to gather DNA from the party guests. Wendy had the wonderful job of running all the DNA comparisons.

The Las Vegas Crime Lab had finally found a replacement for Greg Sanders in Wendy. She wasn't intimidated by his reputation or by the affection the department held for the man. She was secure enough in herself to create her own reputation. This confidence had led her to gain Conrad Ecklie's approval to conduct DNA studies among relatives using the lab's equipment. Because of the nature of her job, she was required to have participants sign an affidavit before using their sample in her study. So when Lindsey Willows' sample crossed her desk, she saw an opportunity. It was unusual to have three generations of DNA in their databases. She could easily get permission from Catherine to use their DNA; Eddie Willows was deceased so his sample was public record. And with a little luck, maybe she would even get Sam Braun to consent to the study.

Wendy approached Catherine towards the end of shift, explaining what she wanted to do. Catherine agreed and signed the necessary paperwork before leaving to take Lindsey to school. After her shift was over, Wendy began working on the Willows' DNA. She wanted to start work on the three samples she had access to before approaching Braun.

Three weeks had passed since the party and life had pretty much returned to normal for Lindsey, normal minus a few physical comforts and privacy anyway. Catherine had given her daughter the television back after a week of having to watch MTV. The following week she returned her MP3 player. Yesterday she returned her computer (minus the modem of course) so that Lindsey could work on her homework from her desk. The door was still missing and the windows were still bolted down but overall things were looking up for Lindsey.

Catherine was feeling more secure leaving her daughter while she worked. The new nanny kept an eye on her daughter while she was gone. Her mother's appreciation for the nanny was even greater. Now Lily was able to stay overnight with Sam without finding someone to pawn Lindsey off on while Catherine was at work. Gil's visits had gone from several times a day to a couple of times a week as Catherine's sense of security returned. All in all, life went on as before.

Beep.

The printer spoke to let Wendy know her results were ready. She pulled the paper and read the results.

"This can't be right." She trashed the results and began the test again.

Another three weeks had passed. Lindsey's modem had been returned, along with her phone. She was now allowed to speak with her friends and to get online. The bolted window remained. The door, still in the garage, had been replaced with a funky beaded curtain so that she could have some privacy. Lily was spending more time with Sam. Catherine had returned to pulling one double a week. Gil's visits had been cut back to once a week. With the exception of the new nanny, life had returned to what it was before the party.

Catherine and Gil had wrapped up a crime scene and returned to the lab towards the end of shift.

"I'll start processing while you run Lindsey to school. Oh, pick me up a cherry roll on your way back." It had become their routine over the last month for Catherine to pick up breakfast if they had to work over.

Catherine was in the locker room getting the keys to her SUV when Wendy approached her.

"Catherine, do you have a minute?"

"One maybe. I've got to get Lindsey to school." She quickly changed her shirt, not wanting the smell of the crime scene to fill her car.

"It's about the DNA study I'm doing."

"Do you need me to sign more papers?"

"No, its…Catherine, if Eddie wasn't Lindsey's father, why didn't you just tell me?" Catherine froze.

"What?"

"When I asked you for permission to do this, I explained that this was an opportunity for me to compare generational DNA."

"What?"

"And if Eddie isn't Lindsey's biological father, all you had to do was refuse to participate in the study." She handed the printout to Catherine.

"Hold on. Eddie IS Lindsey's father. You made a mistake somewhere."

"Catherine, I ran the test twice. It's impossible."

Catherine took her keys out, shut her locker and walked up to Wendy.

"Look, I don't know what went wrong where but I can assure you Eddie is Lindsey's father. Maybe the samples were mislabeled or there was a mix up in the database or maybe they were contaminated. Whatever the reason, your test is wrong." She crumpled the paper up and tossed it into the trashcan as she stormed out. Wendy leaned against the lockers, letting out a sigh.

"That went well."

"Mom, why do you keep staring at me?" It was the third time Catherine had run off the road since leaving the house.

"Sorry, baby. I've just had a long night." She made a mental note to keep her eyes on the road.

"Mom! Do you want me to drive?" She'd run off the road again. This time she pulled over and put the car in park, reaching behind her seat for her kit and pulling out a swab.

"Open." She held the swab in front of her daughter's mouth.

"But…" Lindsey protested.

"Open your mouth." Her voice didn't leave room for arguing.

"I didn't do anything. I swear. I haven't snuck out. I haven't skipped classes…"

"I didn't say you had. I just want to swab your mouth for a bit of saliva. A co-worker is doing a DNA study and there was a problem. I want to make sure she has a good sample." She took her daughter's hand in hers to reassure Lindsey she was telling the truth. "Now open. We need to hurry or you'll be late for school."

When Catherine arrived back at the lab, she went straight to Wendy, tossing two swabs onto the table in front of her.

"What are these?" Wendy looked puzzled.

"Two good DNA samples for Lindsey and me."

"Catherine, the problem wasn't with your samples. It was with the male donor. His sample does not match that of Ed Willows."

"Impossible."

"Then whoever took Mr. Willows sample made a mistake."

"I took that sample myself. There was no mistake."

"I don't know what to tell you. The results were conclusive."

"No, they aren't." She screamed and heads all through the lab turned in their direction. "I think I would know if someone else were her father." With that, she grabbed the samples and stormed out of the lab. She only made it a few blocks before she had to pull over.

"Eddie Willows, dying didn't even stop you from screwing with my life."