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 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.”