She described the respected, adored businessman Anthony Rawlings as a cruel, vindictive, masochistic, controlling human being. She did leave their home in a hurry. Justifiably, she did it to get a break from him, his rules, restrictions, and consequences. If he knew that she left the property without his permission, she would’ve been punished. She explained that punishments could range from verbal, mental, to physical abuse. On one occasion, approximately six months after she arrived on his estate, he nearly killed her. She told about the isolation he used. She also told about the sexual exploits, video recording, controlling nature, domineering manipulation, and constant mental and on again, off again physical abuse.
At times, they would stop taking notes and just listen. This was much bigger than anything they expected. Together Paul and Jane worked to build a case, not of a woman trying to gain financially from the death of her wealthy husband, but of an abused woman wanting only to flee the situation.
Paul believed that she had been living in hell, but there were points and events that she would need to explain. She stated she was kidnapped, yet did she ever try to call for help? Didn’t she live in a multimillion dollar mansion? Did she expect people to believe she had no access to telephone, Internet, or anything? Didn’t she marry this man she described as a monster? Didn’t she accept gifts: clothing, money, jewelry, etc.? Didn’t she accompany him on multiple extravagant trips? Didn’t she sit with a reporter from Vanity Fair and give an interview about her wonderful husband and their amazing life together?
Claire understood how things looked. She knew about appearances. But she knew what she endured. She explained that even after things got better with Tony, there was always the underlying threat of abuse. Things did get better after the near-death abuse. He got better and she believed she loved him. But always there were rules and the reminder of consequences for her actions. Any failure to be perfect could result in punishment. The truth would set her free and she was ready to tell the entire world the truth.
Her legal team prepared a preliminary brief. It informed the prosecution of their defense strategy. By no means all inclusive, it did emphasize the hostile relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Rawlings. It highlighted Mr. Rawlings’s aggressive, intimidating, and controlling tendencies. Mrs. Rawlings’s only intention on the day in question was to escape the harsh reality of her life. She didn’t plan nor did she execute a plan to cause Mr. Rawlings harm.
The time for the rescheduled preexamination meeting arrived. Mr. Evergreen and his team, as well as Paul, Jane, and Claire were once again seated around a large table. The only noticeable difference at this meeting was Claire’s brown hair. Indulging Claire’s request, Jane brought her a box of Chestnut hair dye. She looked younger. The blonde was striking, stunning, and beautiful. Claire didn’t feel any of those.
Mr. Evergreen addressed Paul, “How does your client plan to plea?”
“My client is not guilty, and plans to plea as such.”
“I would like to ask your client some questions, to let her know what she will be facing at trial. Mr. Task, Ms. Allyson, do you have any objections to this plan?”
Paul began, “Claire, this isn’t a bad idea, this allows us to understand where the prosecution is coming from with their charges. It also lets you experience the questioning portion of the trial. The questions here are not asked under oath. You can refuse to answer. And your answers cannot be used against you in the actual trial.”
“All right, please ask away.” Claire’s mind was made up. She was innocent and planned to tell the world the truth of what she had endured. Having Marcus Evergreen, a contemporary of Tony’s, sitting across the table was unnerving. After all, Marcus attended their wedding, Tony wouldn’t approve of her telling him certain things. But she was innocent, and if Tony wasn’t going to help her, the truth would.
Mr. Evergreen opened his laptop and began his questioning. “First, Mrs. Rawlings, as your attorney informed you, this is not under oath and your answers cannot be used against you at trial. You should also be aware that my team and I have read Mr. Task’s preliminary brief which discusses the relationship between you and your husband, as well as your allegations to his behavior. I realize that Mr. Task and Ms. Allyson plan to use your allegations in your defense. This procedure is a snapshot of how I and my team plan to cross examine you. Do you understand?” Claire nodded. “Mrs. Rawlings, please answer all questions verbally.” Claire said that she would.
“Please state your name.”
“Claire Rawlings.”
“How long has that been your name?”
“Anthony Rawlings and I were married December 18, 2010.”
“Mrs. Rawlings, I didn’t ask when you were married, but how long Claire Rawlings has been your name.” Mr. Evergreen continued with mundane questions regarding dates and times. Then his questions turned to her life before Mr. Rawlings. What did she do for a living? Where did she live? How did she and Anthony Rawlings meet?
“Why did you move into Mr. Rawlings’s house?”
“I didn’t move into his house, I was taken to his house,” Claire corrected.
“Why were you taken to his house?”
“Mr. Rawlings and I had a business agreement.”
“What kind of agreement did you have?”
Claire hesitated. “He hired me to be his personal assistant.”
“And how much did he pay you to be his personal assistant?”
“He didn’t actually pay me.” Claire wasn’t sure how to explain this so that Mr. Evergreen or a jury would understand.
“You worked for free? Yes or no?”
“No, actually he paid off my debts.”
Mr. Evergreen looked curious. “Your debts, he paid off your debts. Did he pay off your car and maybe a credit card?”
“Yes.”
“And do you have any idea the total amount of your debts?”
Did Claire know? Of course, she knew. Tony mentioned the amount hundreds of times during the beginning of their relationship. “Yes.”
“Well, Mrs. Rawlings, please share. What was the amount of debt that Mr. Rawlings paid off for you?”
“He told me it was $215,000.”
“My, $215,000 to be his personal assistant, was that all? Or were there other benefits?” Benefits, Claire didn’t know what he meant. He continued, “Did Mr. Rawlings provide you housing, clothing, or food?”
“Yes, I lived in his house. The staff prepared my food and he had clothes for me.”
“Now, Mrs. Rawlings, were these old clothes or did he buy you new clothes?”
“They were new. But I never asked—”
“Please just answer the question. So the clothes were new. You lived in his mansion and he paid off $215,000 worth of debt. Tell me what you did as Mr. Rawlings’s personal assistant. Did you answer his phone?”
“No.” He continued, Did you answer his e-mails? No. Did you coordinate his schedule? No. Did you make him food? No. Did you make him drinks? No.
“Mrs. Rawlings, what did you do?”
Claire felt her face flush. “I was supposed to be available whenever he wanted me.”
“Can you please explain yourself? What do you mean available whenever he wanted you?” Mr. Evergreen leaned into the table.
“I was supposed to satisfy his sexual wants and needs.” Claire was looking down.
“Did you do your job?”
“I didn’t have a choice.” Claire was still looking at the table.
“Mrs. Rawlings, I asked if you did your job. Yes or no?”
Claire looked the prosecuting attorney in his eyes. “Yes, I did what I was told.”
“And if my notes are correct you and Anthony Rawlings married nine months after you began your job, is that correct?”
“Yes, we discussed that.”
“Yes, we did. I am just trying to understand. At $215,000, housing, food, and clothing for a period of nine months, I figure that Mr. Rawlings paid you nearly $1,000 a day for sexual pleasure. You must be a great lay!”