ke

ence as the clinic director, a man named Wallace, stammer

n, displaying the team's training schedule from

ple I'd frozen here five years ago-a precaution for my career-had been used i

when I got the news. I'd nearly cr

y, my voice cold. "You're telling me there's

Yes, Mr. Underwood. We take full responsibility.

ips. "Compensation? You think

e does not tolerate blemishes. An illegitimate child from

cago streets. My public image was the NHL's "bad boy," but that w

?" I asked withou

Alyse Dawson. This is her profile. We aren't suppo

ssport-style photo. The woman had a gentle face, long br

y-four, married to a Jase Hob

married woman undergoing IV

about the sam

e IVF was successful. Dr. Evans tried calling her several

th person knowing about this," I said,

urse." Wallace no

u to run a check on someone. Alyse Dawson. And her husband,

nto the desk. "Handle the fallout, W

the clinic witho

emples in frustration. A child.

unwelcome number

l. It rang again.

iding me?" Mrs. Montgomery's

ime. I have no interest in your daughter Claire, and the Underw

e, then a cold reply. "Y

ne problem a

the face of that woman, Alyse Dawson. A married woman using

obbs, is an AHL player. Career's going nowhere. They've been married three y

. It fit the picture of a

know why they'd use someone else's s

in my mind again. Gentle, tired. Was she

rwood, would never allow my blood to be raised by strang