William knocked on the door of Leo’s room. The twelve-year-old was sitting at his desk, building a complex 3D model of a sustainable city on his computer.
“Hey, Leo,” William started, sitting on the edge of the bed. “I realized we haven’t really… talked. About growing up. You’re twelve now. Your body is going to start changing, and I wanted to explain the biology of it so you aren’t confused.”
Leo swiveled his chair around. “You mean puberty? The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis triggers the release of testosterone. I read the medical journals last year, Dad. I’m fine.”
William blinked. “Oh. Right. Well, there are also emotional changes–“
“Actually, I have a question about biology,” Leo interrupted, his face impassive. “Specifically regarding DNA reliability in inheritance law.”
William paused. “Inheritance law?”
“If a claim is made against an estate,” Leo said, looking at his father with an unblinking, analytical stare, “does the claimant need a direct DNA comparison to the deceased, or is a sibling match sufficient in New York State court?”
A cold draft seemed to pass through the room.
“Why would you ask that, Leo?” William asked, frowning.
“Just a hypothetical,” Leo shrugged, turning back to his screen. “Grandfather’s estate was complex. I like to know where the perimeter lies.”