Mark eases his dark blue Audi convertible into the driveway as the late afternoon sun casts long shadows on the ground and envelopes everything in a rich golden hue. The cries of seagulls accent the gentle crashing of the ocean as he cuts the engine. After raising the ragtop, Mark exits and then comes around to the passenger side. Reaching in he retrieves a grocery bag before making his way up the front steps, humming a jaunty tune. Since he's got to spring the news about Aurie on his son, he decided to go all out on dinner, hoping it's enough of a distraction.
While preparing dinner, Mark's mind wanders over the events of the day, focusing in particular on the young teen. When she first mentioned her mother, Amalia, he couldn't remember the woman. It all came rushing back once he saw the picture. Aurie was right, it was taken during the time he knew Amalia. She was a stunning woman with a strong reputation for being a manipulative, scheming golddigger. Her exotic beauty of black hair and dark eyes reminded him of Katy Jurado, an actress from one of his favorite films, High Noon.
He remembers Amalia being quite skillful in getting invited to many high-end parties or any event that put her close to rich, eligible bachelors. Didn't take long for Spencer Davis to become her favorite target. Her antics became a running joke, eventually evolving to the point that watching her attempt to corner Davis and charm him became the highlight of the evening for many attendees.
Naturally, Mark's thoughts shift to Aurie's request. With every fiber of his being, he's sure neither himself nor Steve could be her father. Even considering Amalia admitted to drugging someone into sleeping with her, Mark doesn't remember being in any situation where he had any interaction that would've given her the chance to drug him. Yes, she flirted with him a few times, but immediately forgot he existed once a better prize appeared in her line of sight, especially if it was Spencer Davis.
Certainly, Steve had an interest in her, making a few attempts to get her attention. However, thanks to divine fate, other than being as good-looking as Davis, the lack of significant wealth made him unappealing to her. Also, thanks to his career as a cop, it would've been impossible for Amalia to drug him. Even drunk, he doubts Amalia would've made the critical mistake of confusing Steve for Spencer Davis.
No, neither one of them could be Aurie's father. However, he understands why she can't just take his word for it, just as he can't simply take hers that he might be her father. More for her peace of mind than his, he's going along with a paternity test. Now he just needs to convince Steve to do it.
The sound of the front door opening and closing breaks him out of his reverie.
"Dad?" a familiar voice calls from the entryway.
"In here, Steve," Mark calls back.
He looks up and smiles when his son enters the kitchen minutes later.
"Smells great. What are we having?"
Having shed his gun and badge before entering the room, Steve promptly heads over to the fridge. Ducking inside he starts searching for something to drink.
"A three-cheese lasagna, garlic bread, and a shrimp, walnut, and romaine salad with raspberry vinaigrette," Mark rattles off with a flourish. "How was work?"
"Work," Steve quips as he opens his beer and tosses the cap across the room into the garbage can. "No homicides, but loads and loads of paperwork." He pauses to take a drink. "Or rather, many hours spent going cross-eyed in front of a computer screen."
"Sounds like fun."
"Doesn't it? So how was work for you?"
Steve leans against the kitchen counter and takes another swig of beer.
"Actually, kind of interesting. Do you remember Amalia Acevedes?"
Mark studies Steve while he searches his memory with a slight frown.
"Didn't she used to spend most of her time chasing after that interior designer, Spencer Davis?"
"The very same."
Mark opens the oven and bends over to retrieve the lasagna. Straightening up, he places it on a cooling rack on the counter before looking back at Steve.
"I met her daughter this morning," he states, shocking his son.
"She has a daughter?" His lips quirk into a smile. "I wonder who the 'lucky' guy is."
"Her daughter's name is Auralia. Nice young lady."
Ignoring Steve's comment, Mark proceeds to dish out the food. Grabbing the loaded dishes, he heads into the dining room.
Frowning slightly, Steve tosses his empty bottle into the trash before grabbing the salad and following his father.
"And what did she want?"
"Interestingly enough, to find out who her father is."
Mark settles into his seat while Steve sets the salad on the table and pours the wine.
"And what does that have to do with you?"
"She asked me to take a paternity test," Mark replies nonchalantly before taking a bite.
Steve starts choking on his food. It takes a few moments before he can speak again.
"She what?" he croaks.
Readying himself for what's coming next, Mark plunges on.
"She's trying to find her biological father. She visited Spencer Davis, whom her mother originally named as her father. Spencer convinced Auralia he wasn't and named three other men as possibilities."
"And you're one of the possibilities?" Steve poses it more as a statement than a question.
"Yes and asked me to take a paternity test," Mark answers calmly as if talking about the weather.
"And you agreed to take it?" Steve asks in obvious disbelief.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Why not?" Mark reasons, setting down his fork. He sighs at Steve's glare. "Look, Steve, I told her there was no way I could be her father, but she just wants to be certain. And she's paying for the tests. All I have to do is provide the sample."
"Dad!" Steve protests in exasperation. "That's not the point. If she's anything like her mother, she could be laying a scam on you. Trying to embezzle money from you."
"Steve, she's not like her mother at all," Mark protests. "Besides, if the tests are negative she has no legal leg to stand on. It's the best option for everyone involved."
Although he understands Steve's misgivings, Mark is certain Aurie is not trying to set up a con on anyone.
"And you know this after one meeting?" Steve couldn't keep the sarcasm out of his voice. At Mark's nod, he continues. "Look, Dad, a negative test is not always a guaranteed shield. As unlikely as it sounds, it's possible she could sue you for support. It has happened before."
"She could also get a lawyer and subpoena to get the tests. At least it's already out of the way if I just do it now."
Steve watches Mark continue eating as if he hasn't a care in the world. Frustrated, he decides to try a different tactic.
"You said Davis named three other possibilities than himself. You're obviously one of them, who else?"
"Lawrence Taylor."
"The porn producer?" Steve asks in surprise.
"Yep."
Taylor likes his flings, but Steve knows that Taylor would've been very careful. This girl isn't the first to come forward claiming to be his child. Taylor is very shrewd and protects his financial assets very well. He wouldn't risk them on a careless one-night stand.
Steve shakes his head resolutely before taking another bite of his food.
"He's not going to agree to take the test."
"He already has."
"He did? How?" Steve gapes in shock.
"Auralia asked him." At Steve's incredulous look Mark caves. "All right, she had to threaten to call a lawyer to convince him. But she didn't threaten me," he hastily adds at his son's glare.
"I'm sure."
Mark leans forward intently holding his son's gaze.
"Steve, she asked me. She didn't threaten me. Plus, I don't see any harm in taking the test."
"Even though you're absolutely sure you're not her father?" Mark nods and leans back in his chair. Letting out a sigh, Steve continues. "You said Davis named three men. So far it's you and Taylor. Who else rounds out the triumvirate?"
Mark shifts uncomfortably before answering.
"Um, you."
"What?"
Steve's head snaps up in time with his fork falling on his plate with a clatter.
"Spencer named you, me, and Lawrence."
"And she believed Davis?"
"Yes. Apparently, he gave her a pretty good reason."
"And that is?" Steve asks in exasperation, his patience wearing thin.
"I don't know. She wouldn't tell me," he explains, earning an eye roll. "She did it out of respect for Spencer's privacy," Mark protests. "She said if I wanted to know I'd have to ask him because it wasn't her secret to tell."
"And what about Davis?"
"What about him?" Mark innocently asks.
"Is he going to take a test?"
"Uh, as far as I know, no."
Steve takes a deep, calming breath.
"Dad, this whole thing seems suspicious on so many levels." He raises his hand to stop Mark as he opens his mouth to protest. "It seems Davis is covering his ass by naming us as potential fathers. Just looking at who she has for a mother is enough to question her motives. Plus, she's suddenly looking for her father. You've referred to her as a young lady, how old is she anyway?"
"I'd say she's about fifteen, maybe sixteen," Mark replies after a couple of minutes of consideration.
"So after all this time she's started searching," Steve observes. "And why would Amalia name Davis as this girl's father, but he turns around to insist it may be one of three other men instead?"
"Apparently, Amalia wasn't as certain as she believed. She admitted to Spencer she was trying to drug him during a party they both attended to get him to sleep with her. My guess is she must've been pretty drunk or under the influence of something strong not to remember exactly who she was sleeping with. The three of us were enough on her radar where we make reasonably likely candidates. However, I don't recall any circumstance with me where she could've made that mistake."
"At about seventeen years, I don't remember even a quarter of any party I attended that long ago," Steve points out, exasperated with his father. "So I doubt Spencer would remember things so clearly to be sure. My vote is he's just attempting to divert this girl's attention elsewhere so he's no longer a target."
"That's why I'm taking the test."
"Just because she's decided now is a good time to start looking for her biological father?"
"She didn't want to, but said she had to." Mark's tone is of quiet understanding; one he's wishing Steve would share.
"And why is that?"
Mark hesitates. It's not his place to say, but he knows his son. Steve won't stop harassing him until he gets a sufficient answer.
"Amalia isn't a legal U.S. citizen and neither is Aurie. She's working on becoming one, but if she finds her biological father and if he's a U.S. citizen or legal resident it will speed up the process."
"Aurie?"
"That's her nickname."
Steve lets out a frustrated sigh. His dad has already involved himself in this too deeply.
"Dad, I don't think this is a good idea. You don't know her motives and her background is just too murky. I don't think you should get involved in this."
"Steve, I agreed to take the blood test," Mark firmly states. "It will prove without a doubt what I already know that I'm not her father." Hesitating, he prepares for what's coming next. "Uh, I also said I'd ask you to take the test as well."
"What? Why?" Steve asks, completely poleaxed. How did he get dragged into this?
"I told her it was unnecessary since I was taking the test, but she didn't want to leave any room for doubt. She made a good point, the test will protect us from any future litigation."
"She said that?"
"Yes."
"Well, that proves my point. If she's already talking about potential future litigation then it clearly shows what's on her mind."
"She's paying for the tests herself and accepts the very real possibility none of us could be her father," Mark emphasizes, his exasperation at Steve's attitude getting the better of him. "I don't think those are the actions of someone with an ulterior motive."
"Dad…" Steve starts to argue, but Mark cuts across him.
"Steve, I'm taking the test," Mark firmly states. "She would like for you to take it, but my results should be sufficient if you don't want to do it. Just think about it."
"All right," Steve reluctantly agrees. "I'll think about it, but I want to meet her before I make my decision."
"You do?"
Now it's Mark's turn to be shocked. He expected Steve to argue with him over Aurie, but he didn't expect his son to want to meet her.
"Yeah. I'd like to judge myself," Steve states with a grim determination that makes Mark uneasy. "When will you be doing the test?"
"Probably Thursday."
Mark shrewdly eyes his son. He isn't sure if Steve meeting Aurie is a good idea, but doesn't see any reason against allowing it to happen. Steve had always been protective of him ever since his mother died, so it's reasonable he'd want to meet this girl and decide if she's harmless or not.
"Doesn't leave for a lot of time," Steve thoughtfully muses.
"How 'bout we all meet for lunch at BBQ Bobs tomorrow?"
Mark figures it's a good opportunity. Once Steve meets Aurie and realizes she's not a threat, he's likely to agree to take the test.
"Will she show up?"
"She'll be with me."
"What?" Steve growls, tired of repeating that particular question.
"We're going sightseeing tomorrow after I'm finished with my patients. So how does a late lunch at two o'clock sound?" Mark cheerfully asks.
"Dad…"
"Steve…" Mark warns.
"All right, all right." Steve throws his hands up in defeat. "You're going to do it anyway. Just be careful."
"Always am," Mark replies with a smile.
"That's what I'm afraid of."