His prior conversations with Wilson and the team regarding her ran through his thoughts again as he drove. He realized that he was excited to see her and her kids. Maybe things would be different between them this time. Maybe he would allow things to progress in their relationship.
When Burke parked in the driveway beside the rented minivan, the front door opened. The kids ran out before he even got out of his car. He was greeted with hugs and all three of them told him about the plane trip, the house, and the swing set in the big back yard, the bedroom with the three bunks like their mom wanted for their home, and the huge television in the family room with their excited voices overlapping each other.
Burke chuckled at them and herded them back to the front door. Once inside the house, he embraced Donna, noting how much weight she’d lost since he’d last seen her, not that her weight had ever bothered him. His own mother had carried a few extra pounds all her life, and she’d raised him to value what was inside a person and not judge anyone by their physical appearance.
Donna watched Rich’s eyes go up and down her form, and he smiled.
“You look great,” he said.
“Thank you,” she said, pleased he noticed her slimmer body, which she had worked so hard to achieve.
Dorthea sat in a chair in the front room beside the Christmas Tree, a book in her hands. “Hello, Richard,” she greeted.
He crossed the room and went to her, bending down to embrace her. “Hi, Dorthea. I’m glad you are all here for Christmas.” All three of the kids followed him and stood in front of him beaming with excitement. “And look at that Christmas Tree and all those presents!” he said, his eyes going from the tree to the kids.
“There’s gifts for you here, Rich,” Elijah said.
“There is?” he asked, his voice exaggerated. All three kids nodded with big smiles on their faces. His gaze went back to Dorthea. “Can you do me a favor and keep an eye on the kids for a few minutes?” Then his gaze shifted back to the kids. “I need totalk to your mom alone for a few minutes, you know, Christmas secrets.”
“Sure,” Dorthea said. “Kids, go back to watching television in the other room. Give your momma and Richard a few minutes.” She smiled, assuming the couple wanted a few minutes alone to kiss and become reacquainted, as it had been months since they’d been together in the same place.
Burke looked around. His eyes landed on the stairs. “Up there,” he said to Donna. He wanted her as far from the kids as possible when he showed her the picture of the man who was found dead in Richmond.
Donna pulled him into the master bedroom at the top of the stairs. She closed the door. When she turned to wrap her arms around his neck, the expression on his face stopped her. “What is it?”
“A body turned up in Richmond matching your description of the man you saw choked. I have a picture of him. Do you think you got a good enough look that you’d know if it was him or not?”
This was what he was bringing up, not even two minutes after he was through the door? She was extremely disappointed. She shrugged. “Maybe.”
He pulled his phone from his pocket and brought the picture up. “Take your time,” he said as he turned it for her to view.
It only took a second, and Donna was sure it was the man. “Yeah, that’s him.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure,” she insisted, irritated that he asked.
By the expression on her face, he knew that she was sure. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into an embrace. He also hit dial on his phone and brought it to his ear.
Smith answered on the first ring. “What do you have for me?”
“Positive ID on the Vic,” he said.
Donna pulled away enough to see him with his phone pressed to his ear. She hadn’t seen him dial. And here she’d thought he wanted a few minutes alone with her for other reasons.
“I’ll notify Big Bear and let you know how he wants to proceed.”
“Thanks,” Burke said. He slid the phone back into his pocket.
“So, now what?” Donna asked, pulling herself from his embrace.
“My boss will decide how we’re going to proceed. More than likely, our agency will contact Richmond IAB.”
“Internal affairs,” she said. “He’ll know the info came from me.” She didn’t even try to hide her fear.
“You’re assuming he’ll know he’s under investigation. And even if he does, he won’t necessarily know if there was a tip or it came from you or another source. Besides, it won’t matter. You’re not there.”
“I will be after Christmas. I can’t stay here forever, no matter how much I’d like to,” she said, her thoughts running wildly through her mind.
