Chapter 5: The Confrontation

Two days later, the DNA results came in—I wasn’t the father in the paternity test. Detective Jamison called, her voice lighter: “You’re in the clear on this, Mr. Quinn. But there’s more.”

The police tracked down every boy named “Eli Quinn” in the system, narrowing it down by age and family. There was only one: second grade, Maple Heights Elementary.

The truth was about to break open.

I brought my parents, and we went with the police to the address. Dad put on his best shirt, Mom made me comb my hair. The car smelled of Dad’s aftershave and Mom’s cinnamon roll wrapped in a napkin for luck.

When the door opened, I saw three familiar faces—Jason and his parents, the Douglases.

The air snapped with tension. Our families stared at each other, shocked. The Douglas family’s surprise felt different—like they’d been caught at something.

Detective Jamison explained the visit in her official, brisk voice.

Mrs. Douglas immediately let loose, her voice echoing down the hall: “Derek, I’ve known you since you were in diapers. Never thought you’d pull something like this. I’m disappointed, honestly.”

She didn’t stop there. “Back then everyone said our Jason led you astray, but look now—who led who? Our Jason would never do something so disgraceful!”

“It’s only right you failed the background check—karma’s real. Even if you got the job, you’d still be breaking the law…”

Jason tugged at her sleeve, face apologetic, but she ignored him. Mr. Douglas coughed, muttering for her to cool it.

My mom’s fists clenched, her eyes flashing. Her voice was low but fierce—"Don’t you talk to my son like that!" Her hands shook, but her eyes didn’t leave Mrs. Douglas’s face.

I grabbed her arm, shaking my head. This wasn’t the time for a shouting match. Finding the truth mattered more than pride.

Detective Jamison finally snapped, glaring at Mrs. Douglas: “Enough! The police are handling a case here, ma’am. Please watch your words! Do you have a six-year-old boy named Eli Quinn in your family?”

I kept my eyes on Jason as the question hung in the air.