Free Most Wanted by Lisa Scottoline

paid.’”
    â€œSo this is an ‘unforeseen circumstance’?”
    â€œCertainly, it would fall easily within an ‘unforeseen circumstance.’ We share your concerns.”
    â€œNo you don’t. You can’t. You’re protecting your donor. My wife is pregnant. We’re the ones left holding the bag, so to speak.”
    Christine cringed, hearing the way Marcus talked. She never thought about the baby that way. She didn’t know he thought about it that way.
    â€œLet me ask you this,” Marcus was saying. “How long have you been using Donor 3319’s sperm?”
    â€œWe don’t disclose that information.”
    â€œWhat about other women who use his sperm? There have to be others.”
    â€œWe don’t disclose that information, either. I will tell you that we are generally conservative in the number of vials we sell from a given donor.”
    â€œDoes Homestead have to notify those women if Donor 3319 is Jeffcoat? Will you notify us ?”
    Demipetto hesitated. “This is beyond my bailiwick, Mr. Nilsson. I doubt that we have a notification requirement with respect to a situation like this, where a donor is arrested for a crime.”
    â€œNot just a crime, the serial killing of three women. Nurses, and he said he was going to be a medical student. Don’t you think we have a right to know that? Don’t you think we have a right to be informed?”
    â€œYour rights are outlined by contract—”
    â€œI’m not talking about law, I’m talking about what’s the right thing to do. How do you feel about yourself, knowing that you’re withholding an answer I have a moral right to know? That I deserve to know? It’s the truth, and you don’t own it!”
    â€œMr. Nilsson, please hold a moment.”
    Marcus held on as the phone went dead, seeming not to remember Christine was in the bedroom. The phone clicked, signaling that Ms. Demipetto had come back on the line.
    â€œMr. Nilsson, I have to terminate this conversation. As you may know, Homestead is owned and operated by Fertility Assurance Associates, Inc., and I can have a representative call you tomorrow during office—”
    â€œDon’t hang up. I want to talk about this now. I don’t want—”
    â€œI’m sorry. I’ve been instructed to refer this to our corporate headquarters. I can assure you that we are following up on your concerns, and we will have someone contact you.”
    â€œDid they tell you not to talk to me?”
    â€œI’m sorry, Mr. Nilsson. I must go. Thank you for your call, and I’ll have someone get back to you tomorrow. Good-bye.”
    Marcus hung up, pursing his lips. “I’m calling the doctor. I’m going to get to the bottom of this, once and for all.”
    Christine nodded, numbly, her heart sinking, but Marcus was already scrolling through the contacts, finding a number, and pressing CALL .
    â€œHi, Dr. Davidow, this is Marcus Nilsson, with Christine on speaker.”
    â€œHi, Marcus, hi, Christine.”
    â€œHi,” Christine said, noting the difference in Dr. Davidow’s voice from earlier this evening. Before, he had sounded warm, lively, and interested, but now he sounded tense, worried.
    â€œDr. Davidow, I know you spoke with Christine today about Donor 3319. I see his sample has been taken off the shelves. Do you know why?”
    â€œI did speak with Lee Ann at Homestead tonight. I was just about to call you—”
    â€œAnd what did she tell you?”
    â€œShe said they would take 3319 off the shelves, pending investigation. I told her that was the most prudent course of action, and they agreed, out of an abundance of caution.”
    â€œSo is our donor Zachary Jeffcoat?”
    â€œI don’t know, but the fact that 3319 was taken off the shelves does not mean that he’s Jeffcoat. Homestead took it off pending their