“No.” I read and reread and reread and reread the wedding announcement and photo staring back at me.

‘Sarah Jane Holland married Ed Hayes in a small ceremony outside of the City of Chicago. The Chicago Police Commissioner was in attendance as Ed Hayes was the recipient of the 1977 Police Officer of the Year award. Both sides of the couples’ family joined the celebration as well as the couples’ young daughter, Amanda Rose Hayes.’

Under the photo the caption reads, ‘The couple and their 6 month old daughter.’

“Oh my god. I’m Amanda.” My heart stops beating. My breath is still. I am motionless but for a tiny shift of my gaze to Brad. My eyes beg him for answers, reassurance, doubt, proof…help.

“Hold on Sari.” Brad paces. His mind is working at warp speed. “We need more facts.”

“Fact…I was born in March of ’79.” I respond without hesitation. “I would have been 6 months old in August.”

“Sam, run another search. Let’s find out if Ed Hayes has children with any other women.” Brad immediately starts his investigation.

“Alrighty. I am putting in Ed Hayes, Police Officer of the Year 1977, marriage.” I am literally on the edge of my seat when Sam hits the enter button. Once again, my fate lies in the progress of the growing green bar on the screen.

“Holy shit!” Sam calls out with wide eyes.

“Oh! My! God!” My stomach flips. Acid climbs up my esophagus. I’m going to be sick. Ohmigod… The burn increases in intensity. I bend at my waist and hang my head inches from the floor.

“Oh shit.” Brad sighs. I am certain I can hear the wheels of his mind churning. He places his hand on my back. “Sari, you okay?”

“NO!” I shout. “NO!” I stomp my feet. Behind my closed eyes I see the visual of the computer screen now and forever burned on my brain.

1977 Police of the Year arrested for the murder of the woman he rescued.

Ed Hayes arrested for the murder of his ex-wife and her husband.

Ed Hayes sentenced to life in prison for murder of his ex-wife and her husband.

Celebrated Cop Ed Hayes to send life in prison for murder.

“Hey hun. You need to sit up and read this.” Sam’s tone is empathic.

“Sari you don’t have to if you are not ready.” Brad gruffly counters.

“I’m ready.” I sit up with an exhale. My stomach has settled…for now. I look to the screen and begin my quest for the truth.

Ed Hayes was awarded the 1977 Police Officer of the Year award for rescuing 14 people from the massive Post Office fire that same year. One of the rescuees was Sarah Jane Holland. Sarah and Ed married 6 months after the birth of their daughter, Amanda, in 1979. There marriage was short-lived. Sarah remarried Evan Clarke in early 1981. Evan and Sarah had 2 daughters together, Ainslie and Elizabeth.

In what appears to be a crime of passion, Ed Hayes brutally stabbed to death Sarah and Evan on July 23, 1983.

Ed Hayes was defended by Dan Stanley of the Cook County Defense Office. The murder weapon was never found. However, the prosecution built a rock solid circumstantial case against Ed Hayes. Clara Holland, the victim’s sister, was instrumental in the verdict.

Ed Hayes has been sentenced to life in prison with an opportunity for parole in 20 years.

“Dan Stanley.” I say out loud as I read his name. Dan Stanley. I run my fingers through my hair. “DAN STANLEY!”

“Sari…you are freaking me out again. What the fuck is going on?” Sam quickly pushes his rolling chair away from the computer screen as if sitting there puts him in danger.

“Dan Stanley is Mark’s stepfather.” I say flatly. My body wants to shiver but a surge of anger runs through me. I wonder if my clothes will rip off of me like the Hulk.

“Okay…hold on…calm down Sari.” Brad is staring directly at the pulsing vein in my forehead. “Let’s make a list of what we know before we make any...any…assumptions.”

“Plan.” Sam agrees. He has never said so few words.

“Ed Hayes married your mother.” Brad begins to jot down the facts. “They had a daughter together named Amanda. This baby must have been born in March of 1979. Ed and Sarah divorced. Sarah remarried Evan Clarke. They had 2 daughters. Ed murdered Sarah and Eva….”

“Stop. This can’t be right. My parents were killed in a car accident.” I mutter. “In 1983.”

“Was your father’s name Evan?” slowly inquires Brad.

“Yes.” I whimper.

“Sari.” Brad kneels down. We are face to face. “It appears you have been lied to.”