Page 21 of Dead Rattled
“All the others?” Monica looked as if she were going to faint. “What others? What are you all talking about?”
“The St. Agnes House was in operation from 1955 through 1975. It housed unwed mothers until their babies were delivered.Those children were adopted with the birth mother’s consent through the Catholic Church,” Jude paused, taking a breath. “However, there are fifty-seven graves in the cemetery belonging to babies born at St. Agnes House, that were stillborn or died soon after. Natalie was told that her child had died.”
“Ineverwanted to give you up,” Natalie said, her focus on Hope. “The St. Agnes House gave the girls nursing lessons during our stay. I wanted to finish my training as a nurse after you were born and raise you myself. My parents had a lot of money and I was hoping that in time they’d want to welcome you into our family.” Natalie dabbed at her wet eyes.
“Are you trying to say that my child was stolen from her mother?” Monica asked.
“I don’t know what we’re saying,” Fitzgibbon interjected. “We’re hoping to hear the story about Hope’s adoption from you and then we’ll start our investigation from there.”
“Am I going to be arrested?” Monica gasped, her hand flying to her chest.
“No, of course not,” Fitz said. “If Hope was stolen and Natalie lied to, then we need to find out who was responsible for that. Not to mention reaching out to other mothers who thought their children died at birth as well.”
“Oh, my goodness.” Monica reached for a tissue and slowly composed herself. “My husband, Frederick, and I had always wanted children. He came from a well to do family and was the third in his line. It was his dream to produce a Frederick the fourth and continue his family’s lineage. Unfortunately, I couldn’t conceive. We went to an adoption agency who told us it could be years before we got a baby. I was depressed and on the verge of a nervous breakdown. My whole life I’d wanted nothingmore than to be a mother and it felt like that dream was slipping away with each day that passed.” Monica reached out for Hope’s hand.
Tennyson remembered back to the time shortly before Everly was conceived. Ronan had been working on an ill-advised case and had put himself in the line of fire once again. Ten had been afraid something would happen to him and they wouldn’t be able to have Everly. Those were dark days filled with fear and anger. He didn’t know what it felt like to be in Monica’s shoes, but what he’d gone through was pretty close. Just like Monica, all he’d wanted was to be a parent.
“One day, about six months later, Frederick came home in the middle of the day from work. He’d never done that in all of our married life together. He said he had a surprise for me and whisked me out of the house. We drove for over an hour finally stopping at St. Agnes Church. I remember being angry at my husband. We’d been to more churches and prayer meetings than I could ever name and not a single one of them had helped me become a mother, literally or spiritually. Frederick told me to be patient and led me into the church. I remember how cold and dark it was. I lit a candle and took a seat in the front pew. Moments later, a man appeared at the side of the altar. He was holding a bundle of something in one arm and carried a briefcase. As he got closer, I realized the bundle was a baby, which he handed to me. I couldn’t believe my eyes. This tiny baby reached for me and I fell in love instantly. The man was hurriedly shoving paperwork at Frederick, who was telling me to choose a name. I picked Hope Susannah and before I knew what was happening, I was signing a birth certificate. Frederick handed the man a briefcase I hadn’t noticed he was carrying, and he hustled me out of the church. We were halfway home before I thought to ask Frederick what happened and how I came tobe holding this baby. He muttered something about a private adoption and we never spoke of it again.”
Ten’s mouth hung open as Monica told the story. He had a feeling something like this had happened, an illegal adoption. “What was in the briefcase? Cash?”
“Yes. I didn’t know it at the time, but over the years Frederick made comments about how expensive Hope was and I never understood what he meant, until now.”
“Do you have any idea how much money was paid to the man who handed you the baby?” Fitzgibbon asked.
Monica shook her head.
“A quarter and a million dollars,” Everly said, looking confused.
“A quarterofa million dollars maybe?” Ronan asked.
“Yeah, I think so. I don’t know what that means.” Everly smiled at Monica. “Sometimes I don’t understand what my gift tells me.”
“Your gift is telling you my husband paid two-hundred-fifty-thousand dollars for Hope to be our child?”
Everly nodded. “Mr. Frederick loved you a lot and wanted you to be happy.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Monica shook her head.
“Do you have any idea who took the money and gave you the baby?” Jude asked.
“I don’t. I’d never seen him before and-” Monica paused. “I think Frederick called him Tony.”
“Damn,” Ronan muttered. “The doctor who delivered Hope’s name was Andrew.”
“Was he dressed like a priest or a layman?” Ronan asked.
“I’m not sure, Detective O’Mara,” Monica said. “That day was over fifty years ago. I don’t really remember a lot of details. All I knew at the time was that bundle of joy was all mine. We had a birth certificate with her name on it. I suppose, if I’m being honest with myself, I didn’t look too hard at the details. I wanted a baby and now I had one.” Monica dabbed at her wet eyes. “I’m so sorry, Natalie. I had no idea what circumstances transpired to make me a mother.”
“I understand.” Natlie offered a smile to Monica. “All that matters now is that we have a chance to meet and hopefully form a relationship with Hope. I saw on the Ancestry website that you have three sons and a granddaughter?”
Hope nodded. “What would you think about going out to lunch? We have so much to talk about.”
“I’d love that.” Natalie dabbed her eyes with a tissue from her purse.
“Is there a place around here that you’d recommend?” Monica asked.
“If you like seafood, try Lobster Charlie’s. It’s our favorite place to go,” Everly said, looking excited to give her opinion. She hopped out of her seat and ran around the table, stopping in front of Hope.
