“Yeah, no worries,” Dupont said.
After what had gone down at Dorthea’s house the previous Thanksgiving, they’d been read in a bit and had signed nondisclosure agreements.
Donna had never been to Chicago. She watched out the window to get an idea of where they were going. She knew Rich and Laura Lee lived in the northwest suburbs. It was only about a half-hour drive on the highway when Briana exited. A fewminutes later, the Transit van pulled up in front of a rental car building.
Briana turned in her seat. “I’ll stay with the kids. Dorthea, are you also going to be an authorized driver?”
“No, I don’t drive if I don’t have to, and here, in this unfamiliar place, it’s probably best I don’t.”
“Yes, probably best, Mom. You stay here with the kids,” Donna agreed.
Donna and Dupont got out of the van. All she had to do was show her driver’s license and insurance, and the keys were handed to her. It took less than five minutes. Dupont approached Dorthea’s side of the car. She rolled the window down.
“I’m going to ride with Donna to the house. We’ll meet you there.”
Donna wasn’t crazy about driving separately from her kids but agreed when Brad told her it was only another ten minutes to the house they’d be staying at.
“Whose house is it?” Donna asked.
“Our coworker, Becca, owns it. It’s vacant. We use it as a safehouse for some of our cases.”
Donna wasn’t even sure what to expect.
When they pulled up in the driveway of the beautiful home in the great neighborhood lined with large, well-maintained homes, Donna was shocked. This wasn’t what she expected. And when they went inside to find the fully furnished, large three-bedroom home, which was even decorated for Christmas, with a refrigerator and pantry full of food, which she was told was for them, she was even more confused and delighted.
“Wow,” she said, clasping her hands to her chest.
“Becca and I keep the pantry full because we never know when we’ll have clients who will be here. We house mostly women and children who are fleeing bad domestic situations here,” Briana said. “When Burke asked Becca if you all could stay here, she went shopping and filled the refrigerator for you.”
“Well, you tell her to let me know how much she spent, and I’ll reimburse her,” Dorthea said.
“Not necessary,” Briana said. “Burke and Saxton will take care of it.”
“They’ve already paid for too much,” Donna said. “Mom’s right, let us know what she spent.”
Briana nodded her off. “Come on, let’s go upstairs. I’ll show you the bedrooms.”
The master bedroom was at the top of the stairs, with a bathroom inside it. A hall bathroom with double sinks was next. An office, and then the two other bedrooms. One had a queen-sized bed and a crib; the other had the three-bunk configuration Donna had seen and wanted to put up for her kids. There were also toys for all ages in that room.
Brad and Briana helped to carry suitcases up to the rooms, which Donna was very thankful for. Dorthea insisted that Donna take the master bedroom in case Rich stayed over. Donna had told her mom repeatedly that she and Rich were not sleeping together. Obviously, her mom didn’t believe her.
“Okay, Briana and I have to get back to work,” Dupont said. “I’m sure Burke will call you when he can.”
“Enjoy the house,” Briana said. “I’m sure I’ll see you before Christmas.” She handed one of her cards to Donna. “Here’s my number. Call me if you need anything before Burke or Laura Lee get back.”
“I’m sure we’ll be fine here,” Dorthea said. “It’s been a long travel day for me. I’m going to go up and take a rest in that very comfortable room. Thank you again, Briana.”
Dupont gave Dorthea a hug. “I’ll see you soon, after Laura Lee gets back in town, but you can call me too if you need anything.”
Donna watched the Transit van back out of the driveway. She locked the front door and returned to the family room, where the kids watched television. She wouldn’t try to get Jeriah down for a nap in this strange place, but she hoped she’d fall asleep on the couch.
She tapped out a text message to Rich.
We’re at the house. And wow, it is nice! Thank you for arranging it.
There was no reply. She figured he was working and too busy to reply. She slid her phone into her jeans pocket, determined to prove to Rich that she could handle his job. Waiting for him to call her back would help do that.
***
