Convicted (Consequences)

dossier. I’ll continue to monitor. Please inform me if you would like my activities to change in any way.
    CA
     
     
     
    To: Cameron Andrews
    From: Anthony Rawlings
    Re: Ms. Rossi-Burke
    Date: January 27, 2011
     
    Let me know the value of the cottage and their offer.
     
     
    It was reassuring to Catherine—she did know Anton, probably better than he knew himself. She could only imagine how upset he was to have Sophia elope without his knowledge! Catherine felt a sudden affection for her estranged daughter—if it wasn’t for the name of the man she chose to marry!
    Leafing through the pages, Catherine found Derek’s lineage:
     
    Father: William Burke—Grandfather: Randall Burke—Great-grandfather: Truman Burke.
     
    It was the notation under Truman’s name, the one scribbled in Anton’s writing that caught Catherine’s attention: two sons: Randall and Jonathon . There was the connection!
     
    Catherine’s daughter was married to the great-nephew of Jonathon Burke!
    Catherine continued to read:
     
    Derek Burke hired in 2013—Shedis-tics Corporation, Palo Alto, California (Rawlings subsidiary).
     
    When there was nothing else for her to learn, she turned on Anton’s computer and accessed his private list of contacts. This list was how she’d found Phillip Roach, in the first place. When she last spoke to Anton, he quipped something about Catherine knowing everything that went on in the house . Smiling at her access to his private information, Catherine doubted Anton had any idea how truly right he’d been.
    Although she may know everything within these walls—Catherine wanted to know more. One of the names on this list would be just the person to help her accomplish that goal.
     

     
    Sophia wiped her eyes. “Thank you. You’d think I’d be all cried out.”
    “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being emotional about this. I mean, you were just saying a few weeks ago that you didn’t want to get to know any parents other than the great people who raised you, and if you still feel that way, then you have my support. If you’ve changed your mind, then I’ll support that too.”
    Sophia shrugged. “I don’t know what I want.”
    Derek’s grinned. “Then don’t decide right now—there’s no rush.”
    Leaning into her husband’s embrace, Sophia crooned, “Whatever I did to deserve you is beyond me. Thank you—for everything.”
    With her head under his chin, Derek sighed. His only desire was for Sophia to be happy. Lingering in the pit of his stomach was the feeling of trepidation. He worried that by engaging in that conversation, he’d set her up for more disappointment. The last thing he desired for his wife was heartache. She’d already had too much.
    The Rossi’s were wonderful, loving parents, and there was a part of Derek that wished he’d hung up on Sophia’s birth mother before the conversation even started.

 
     
     
    Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princes who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.
    —Rainer Maria Rilke
     
     
     
    During dinner, Francis offered Tony and Phil clothes. It seemed that over the years, a large accumulation of items had been left and stored away on the island; these clothes would suffice until ones more to their liking could be ordered and sent into town. Mumbling under her breath, Claire mentioned, “I was planning on ordering some, but a call changed my mind.”
    The only person who heard her comment was the man at her side. Truthfully, he was the only one she wanted to hear. With a table of onlookers, Tony didn’t verbally respond; however, he did reach over and squeeze her hand.
    After dinner, Francis and Madeline left Tony, Claire, and Phil alone, and Tony explained his current status. He told Claire about the questioning and the FBI’s ultimatum. He explained how he’d been instructed to stay in contact with the bureau otherwise he’d be considered a fugitive—based on charges of domestic battery.
    Claire shook her head vehemently. “No! That’s not what I said to Evergreen. I told him I was running, but not from you! I never said anything about pressing charges.”
    “I know.” Tony didn’t sound upset. This wasn’t new territory to any of them; they all knew Claire and Tony’s history. “Roach told me what you said to Evergreen. It’s some ploy of theirs—Brent