The Changeling - Chapter Four

The Changeling

Chapter Four

John reached for the phone and hesitantly rang the number.

'Hello, police, I think I have some information on the missing boy called Henry Maxwell!'

He listened to the tapping of the officer as he typed the information into his computer.

'Sir,' The officer finally said in a bored voice. 'He went missing 50 years ago! This case has been closed for many years. What new information do you think you can have?'

John swallowed nervously. 'I think,' He said, his voice trembling, 'That I may be Henry Maxwell!'

There was silence from the other end of the line. Then a puzzled voice said 'Sir, can you hold just a minute, I need to speak to one of my colleagues.'

John waited, nervously drumming his fingers on the table. Minutes went by, still there was no sound from the other end of the telephone.

Ten minutes went by! Then an official sounding voice asked 'Sir, why do you think that you are Henry Maxwell?'

John nervously told the man what he had found, and what he suspected.

'Sir, I think that I need to come and speak to you!' The man said curtly.

John put down the phone. 'What have I got myself into,' He muttered, sitting down heavily, feeling as though his legs would no longer hold him.

Presently, he heard the sound of a car pulling into the drive. Falteringly, he got up and answered the door to a large, burly man carrying a briefcase. The man held out his hand. 'I'm Detective Inspector Manning, from the missing persons department. I believe that you have some important information about the case of little Henry Maxwell.'

John nodded and invited the man into the house. 'Would you like a cup of tea, while we talk, John asked nervously.

'Yes please Sir, that would be very nice!'

John went through to the kitchen and presently brought back two steaming cups, handing one to the Inspector and hugging the other in his own hands, as though its warmth could somehow make him feel better.

He sat down opposite the man, pointing to the box and the photo album on the table.

'You see', said John, the missing boy has the same birthmark as me! The baby in the earlier pictures doesn't, and then when I reach around 3, the birthmark appears in the photos. I just can't explain it! Am I really Henry Maxwell?'

The Inspector looked at the photos and the newspaper clippings, taking his time to check them thoroughly, occasionally glancing up at John with a surprised look.

Finally, he put down the documents and turned to look at John, he shook his head, puzzled!

It would appear that you are indeed Henry Maxwell', He agreed. 'But, if you are Henry Maxwell, then who is the boy in the early photos?'

'I think we are going to have to go through this house with a fine tooth comb to try to try find the truth of the matter.'

'But we will find out the truth Sir, you mark my words!