“Who would have guessed that group were the good guys, and they kept Zoe Reopelle safe?” Burke said. “But they did indoctrinate Zoe to some extent, too. Will anyone be working to deprogram those beliefs in her and Oliveira while they’re in protective custody?”
“Probably not,” Shepherd said. “They will be presented with facts to counter their beliefs, but it’s unlikely their opinions will change.”
“What about Zoe’s mom? Do the authorities believe she was involved in her husband’s activities or have any knowledge about them?”
“As she is the senator’s sister, he, of course, does not believe she was involved. Zoe is on the fence regarding it, unsure but chose to err on the side of her mom knowing what her father was doing. That’s why she broke all contact with both of them. She has declined to talk to her mother at this time. It will all be investigated, including if her mom had knowledge of the crime,” Shepherd said.
“So, was there any proof that this group is linked to Ellison’s group?” Tessman asked.
“That continues to be looked into,” Shepherd replied. “The authorities aren’t done with all involved. And I was notified that Stacy Ramsey from Shawano has been released with no charges filed against her or her husband. Valerie and Tom Butler remain in protective custody as Brandon Ellison does. We facilitated a conversation between Brandon and his stepmother, Jessica Rosenthal without compromising her new identity or location.”
“Are we finally done with this case, Shep?” Wilson asked.
The corners of Shepherd’s lips tipped up. “Yes, I can confirm our involvement in this case has come to an end. Unless somethingdire comes up, you are all assigned to the office until Christmas Day, at which time you are officially on leave until January second, when you are due in the office at zero seven hundred. Anticipate deploying on your next case that morning.”
The four men stood, knowing they’d been dismissed.
Sierra
“Are you heading over to see Donna and the kids?” Wilson asked Burke as the four men entered the stairs to retrieve their things from their offices.
Burke braced himself, waiting for his team to hit him with more advice. “Yeah, why?”
“I still think it would be good for Rae to talk to Donna at some point, that’s all,” Wilson answered. “Maybe after Christmas we could have all of you over for dinner. The kids could play; Rae can tell her about the job from her point of view.”
“Becca would like to meet her too. Are you bringing her family to the agency Christmas party?”
Burke hadn’t thought that far ahead yet. “I don’t know. I have to talk to Saxton about it. It’s her family too,” Burke replied.
“You need to let Angel know if it’s a possibility,” Wilson said.
“Yeah, I will,” Burke said.
Rogers went down to four to his office within the medical suite. The three other men went up. Burke swung by Angel’s desk on his way out. He wanted to find out if it was even a possibility to bring them.
“Of course it is,” Angel said. “Just let me know by tomorrow afternoon if they’re coming and how many. There’s always enough food; I just need to be sure we have enough chairs and tables for everyone.”
“Thanks, Angel. I want to discuss it with Saxton first, before I even mention it to Donna and her mom.”
“I knew you had stayed in touch with her after the Op to resolve Laura Lee’s case. I wasn’t aware you were actually seeing her until Becca told me you were flying them out for Christmas,” Angel said.
“Honestly, Angel, I’m not sure of the status of our relationship. It’s complicated. I think this visit will determine what it is or isn’t,” he said with a frown.
Angel laid a hand on his shoulder. “Rich, have faith that whatever it’s supposed to be, will be clear to you both.”
“Thanks, Angel. I’ll let you know if they’ll be there. And if they do come, can you do me a favor and send out a text message tothe team to not call Becca’s sister’s place the murder house? I haven’t told Donna the history of that house, and I don’t plan to, as I’m sure it would freak her out to know.”
Angel smiled. “Sure. I can do that.”
After he’d pulled his vehicle out of the garage, he dialed Donna.
“Hello,” she answered excitedly, seeing the call was from Rich.
“Hi, I’m on my way,” he said.
Donna smiled into the phone. “I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me too,” he said.
