Chapter 15 - THE MOTHER TOMMY CHOSE
Grant traced Tommy’s original birth certificate. His biological mother was not Sarah Reed.
Tommy was born Thomas Cole to a nineteen-year-old woman named Jenny, who died from an untreated heart condition when he was four. Jenny had lived at Harbor House and left guardianship instructions naming a volunteer called Sarah.
Family court approved the guardianship after background checks under Sarah Reed’s identity. The records were sealed because Sarah claimed protection from domestic violence.
Nathan leaked the discrepancy and accused Sarah of kidnapping Tommy with fraudulent documents.
Police issued a child-welfare alert. Shelter workers were required to report any sighting.
Denise was furious. “That boy lost one mother. Now Nathan is using paperwork to take the second.”
Victoria could not excuse the false identity. She also understood why a woman hidden from William’s network might avoid her birth name.
Charles sought emergency protection for Tommy. The family judge appointed independent counsel and ordered that Tommy remain with Sarah unless evidence showed immediate danger. The ruling recognized their emotional bond without ignoring the identity fraud.
Tommy spoke privately to his attorney.
“Did Sarah tell you to call her Mom?”
“No. I asked if I could.”
“Do you know her other name?”
“She said it was taken.”
“Do you know where she is now?”
Tommy looked toward the green traffic light outside the courthouse.
“Close enough to see if Victoria comes,” he said.
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The court sealed his location. Someone inside the clerk’s office accessed it seventeen minutes later using credentials linked to Nathan’s law firm.
Sarah and Tommy disappeared again before deputies reached them.
