A Dad At Last by Marie Ferrarella Read Free Book Online

being exposed to the likes of Janelle, Connor probably held everything suspect. He might not believe what she had to tell him, especially since she hadn’t told him about his son.
    But that was exactly why he should believe her,she argued silently. The very fact that she hadn’t told him he had a son should prove that she wasn’t out for anything, certainly not her own personal gain.
    She needed proof before she went to Connor.
    Lacy realized that the light had turned green and there were cars behind her, waiting to go. The one directly behind her beeped. She pressed down on the gas pedal.
    What had Janelle meant when she’d implied that Connor wasn’t who he seemed to be? Was there a germ of truth in that, or was Janelle just trying to mess up her mind?
    Probably the latter.
    But she couldn’t quite put her mind to rest on the subject.
    Lacy blew out a breath. Glancing at the street sign on the corner, she made a decision. At the end of the block, she made a U-turn. Before she let her imagination get the better of her and gave Janelle’s rantings any credence, she wanted to have a few things cleared up. But for that, she was going to need some help.
    And she knew just who to go to.
    Â 
    â€œY OU’RE ASKING ME to give away my secrets?” Chelsea asked, half in jest.
    â€œNot all of them,” Lacy clarified, not sure if she’d offended Chelsea. She hardly knew the woman, and this probably seemed like an imposition. “I just needto know where to find some information. I need to have something substantiated.” Chelsea had, until recently, worked for the tabloid television show “Tattle Today TV.” Lacy was certain that if anyone would know where to find old records, it would be Chelsea.
    Chelsea slipped her arm around the other woman’s shoulders, drawing her into the cozy living room of Max Jamison’s house. The TV reporter and private investigator had finally acknowledged their love for each other after a year of being each other’s worst enemies.
    â€œI’m teasing, Lacy,” Chelsea said. “You have to lighten up a little, although Lord knows you’ve had more than your share to deal with lately. Sure, I’ll help. Just what is it you need to know?”
    She led Lacy to a room just down the hall. Inside Lacy could see a desk with a laptop computer on it. The screen was turned on. “Is there somewhere on the Internet I can look up marriage licenses and birth records?”
    And here she’d thought Lacy was going to ask something difficult. Chelsea almost felt cheated of a challenge. “Provided they’re available, sure.” She led her into the room Max used as an office. “Got a name?”
    â€œYes,” Lucy said, entering behind her.
    â€œState?” Standing to the side of the desk, Chelsea turned to look at Lacy. “Or better yet, a city?”
    â€œYes.” But what if Janelle had been lying about where she was from? “At least, I think so.”
    â€œGreat, then you’re in business.” Leaning over the computer, Chelsea pressed a few buttons, hooking up to the Internet. A tinny voice announced that she had mail. Chelsea grinned. “You know, in a few years, we’re probably going to be able to walk up to this little box and say, ‘Computer, access birth records from—’” She looked at Lacy.
    â€œLas Vegas.”
    Curiosity began to unfurl within her, but Chelsea held it in check. “Las Vegas and, wham, it’ll all be there, right at your fingertips.” She gestured at the screen. “Who would have ever thought that Gene Rodenberry was a visionary?”
    Lacy looked at her blankly. “Who?”
    Chelsea’s expression was incredulous. “My God, girl, don’t tell me you’ve never seen an episode of Star Trek ? That’s almost un-American.”
    Concerned with the import of what she might have learned, Lacy knew her mind