The dashboard clock flashed 2:14 PM.
My phone vibrated against the center console, rattling the plastic cup holders. I snatched the device before the second buzz.
*Genesis Diagnostics: Portal link active.*
I tapped the blue text. A password prompt appeared on the screen. My fingers hovered over the keyboard. I typed in the twelve-digit barcode number from the thermal receipt I had guarded for two days.
The screen buffered for a fraction of a second. Then, it loaded a white PDF document.
I bypassed the medical jargon at the top. I ignored the lab technician's signature and the date stamps. My thumb swiped straight to the bottom of the second page.
Bold black letters stood out against the harsh white background.
*Probability of Paternity: 99.99%.*
*Conclusion: The tested male, Mark Gallagher, is the biological father of the tested minor, Maya Gallagher.*
I dialed the clinic's number.
"Genesis Diagnostics, how can I help you?" a woman answered.
"I just got my portal link. Case number 88492."
"Give me one moment to pull that up." Keyboard keys clacked over the speaker. "Okay, I see it. You requested the paternity screen."
"The report says 99.99 percent."
"That is correct."
"Is there any margin of error? Could the hair samples have been contaminated?"
"Our lab uses strict isolation protocols, ma'am. A 99.99 percent match means the tested male is absolutely the biological father. There is no ambiguity."
"None at all?"
"None. Do you have any questions for the genetic counselor?"
"No. I have all the information I need."
I ended the call.
