Convicted (Consequences)

this new upheaval of emotion. Wrapping her in his arms, he took the phone from her hand. His voice was neither welcoming nor rejecting, “You may give me the number. When my wife is ready— if she’s ready— she will call you. Please, do not call her phone again.”
    The woman hesitated only a second and then rattled off ten numbers. Derek repeated the numbers. Not offering a closing salutation, he disconnected the line. His concern wasn’t the woman on the phone; it was the distraught woman in his arms.
     

     
    Catherine grinned. She’d done what Nathaniel had wanted her to do—she’d contacted her daughter. From the information in the file, Catherine could tell that Anton had been watching Sophia. She wondered what, if anything, he’d done for her. Catherine needed more information.
    Anton had a list of private detectives and others who’d proven themselves helpful in the past. Briefly, Catherine thought of Roach, Phillip Roach. He’d done an excellent job with Catherine’s directives. Of course, it helped that he’d been unhappy about losing his job with Anton. Catherine wasn’t sure she’d be able to reach him. If she did, did Catherine want to know Claire’s location?
    Oh, she had so many things to consider. Truthfully, Claire could wait—she wasn’t going anywhere. Right now, Catherine wanted to know more about Sophia. It was a pretty name—not one she would have chosen, but it was pretty. There were no pictures in the file, well other than a few of a very young girl. Catherine wondered what her daughter looked like. Did she look like her? or perhaps she looked like ... Truthfully, that was why she didn’t want to do this in the first place.
    Catherine Marie London was no longer that scared, lonely, and abused teenager at the mercy of her drugged out uncle. No—she was a strong fighter and a go-getter! She’d loved Nathaniel Rawls and outlasted Anton Rawls—both were impressive accomplishments.
    Thanks to both, Catherine now had time and resources. She also had a plethora of questions. What did her daughter do for a living? Did she go to college? Were her adoptive parents good to her? Catherine told herself they were. If not, Nathaniel or Anton would’ve known, but what about Sophia’s husband? Could it be possible? Could Sophia really be married to someone associated with Jonathon Burke? And who did he think he was, talking to her the way he did, demanding her telephone number? Catherine sure as hell wasn’t intimidated. If a Rawls didn’t intimidate her—a Burke never could.
    She, once again, searched the drawer of private files. As she fingered the tabs, Catherine remembered the saying, no sense reinventing the wheel . Knowing Anton better than anyone, Catherine was quite sure of his attention to meticulous detail. Surely he’d already researched Sophia’s husband. It was true, she could glean more information, but why not start with whatever Anton had already accumulated. When she passed the B’s without a Burke, her hopes began to fade. Then she saw the D’s— Derek Burke . Removing the folder, she laid it across the desk and began to read. The first page was a series of emails:
     
     
    To: Anthony Rawlings
    From: Cameron Andrews
    Re: Ms. Rossi
    Date: January 12, 2011
     
    As I wrote in my previous email, Ms. Rossi took an unscheduled trip to Europe. I have since learned the reason for the trip was to wed. I’ll remind you, I first mentioned Derek Burke in a December 18, 2010 email. They met at a Christmas party.
     
    I apologize for not relaying the information of their nuptials sooner. I did not expect that to be the reason for her trip; however, a red flag came up when I received notice of her application for marriage license.
     
    Please inform me how to proceed.
    CA
     
     
     
    To: Cameron Andrews
    From: Anthony Rawlings
    Re: Ms. Rossi—Burke???
    Date: January 14, 2011
     
    It’s nearly midnight here, and I just saw your message. I want information and I want it yesterday! How could this have happened so quickly?
     
    Information, pictures, details... now!
    AR
     
     
     
    To: Anthony Rawlings
    From: Cameron Andrews
    Re: Ms. Burke
    Date: January 26, 2011
     
    Although Ms. Burke is now living in Boston in her husband’s apartment, I’ve just confirmed that they’ve made an offer on a small cottage in Provincetown, Mass. I’ll notify you immediately if their offer is accepted.
     
    Derek Burke’s employment record is straight forward. I’ve attached his