“Courtney, I can’t. You don’t walk away from Tony. Ask John Vandersol.” Brent hadn’t meant to divulge that information, it just slipped out. Courtney sat dazed. She poured herself another glass of cabernet and reread the brief. The next day, while Brent was at work, Courtney left. He came home to a note: “If anyone asks, I am taking care of my sick mother. Do not attempt to call or communicate, I will not be available.” Brent tried numerous times. Over a week later she returned. Brent remembered worrying what she would say. He fully expected, “You are weak and I am done, I want a divorce.”
Instead, Courtney apologized. “I wasn’t there for Claire and apparently can’t be there for her now. I can be here for you. You shouldn’t have to face that bastard every day without support. I love you and will support you. But know this: I want out of here and away from him. From this point forward we slowly, inconspicuously move our assets away from Rawlings stock and work to liberate our family. That will start with Caleb, before he gets in too deep. Do you agree?”
Brent did. He wanted out too. The first time Courtney needed to see Tony face to face, Brent worried. She did fine. If he could muster a false smile and Claire could do it, she could too. They were already laying the ground work for Caleb’s move to another place of employment.
As Brent got out of the car and walked into the institution he worried about Claire, what would she look like? Has she been able to survive? How? He hated Tony and damned him with each echoing step down the long, tiled halls.
A guard took him to a small dingy room, illuminated with a florescent glow, which contained a steel table and four chairs. Brent set his briefcase on the table and waited. Looking around, he noticed the conspicuous camera in the corner. It reminded him of the videotaping mentioned in the preliminary brief and of his conversation with Tony.
“You want me to go tell Ms. Nichols (Tony didn’t like to hear her first name) you are considering a civil lawsuit against her, for what?”
“Slander and deformation of character.”
“Why, what did she say?”
“It doesn’t matter. You don’t need to know. You just need to do your job.” Tony’s voice was flat and authoritative.
In actuality Brent was fishing, would Tony share the information Brent already knew? He also wondered if Tony knew he knew, apparently not. “Tony, there are many members of the legal team that haven’t been as involved with Ms. Nichols as I. Perhaps one of them could inform her of the impending suit?”
“No. It will be you.” His tone was firm and his eyes intense. “Have you ever noticed the nice cameras in those visitor rooms? Those tapes are available for a price. I will assume you will not relay information to her that is not related to the suit. As a reminder, this will not be a friendly visit.” Brent said he understood.
Claire was reading in her cell on that July afternoon when her buzzer sounded. The sound meant she needed to go to her door. She would be receiving something, usually a package. This time a guard informed her that she had a visitor and her presence was immediately required in the visitor area.
Claire only received two visitors since her arrest. The first was in Iowa City before she gave her plea and was transferred to the correctional institution. Following a guard, she found her best friend waiting. Courtney was in Fiji during Claire’s arrest and came as soon as they returned. Visibly distraught as Claire was escorted by a guard, Courtney apologized to Claire for not being a better friend. If she had pursued her concerns more, perhaps Claire wouldn’t have felt the need to resort to such drastic measures to get away from Tony. Claire assured her, “I did not try to kill Tony. Please don’t believe everything you hear or see. Remember Tony’s regard for appearances. Many times, things are not as they seem.” Courtney said she understood and would try to help her, but . . . Brent, his job . . . Claire hadn’t heard from her since. Honestly, she understood.
The only other visitor since her incarceration was Emily. Claire knew that the trip to Mitchellville, Iowa was difficult for her. When Emily had time to travel she would visit John in New York.
Now Claire curiously followed the guard down the halls and through multiple gates, each one locking, unlocking, and making the electronic beep sound. Wearing her prison clothes she entered a room to find Brent Simmons. It had been so long she momentarily thought she was seeing a friend visit a friend. Brent’s expression instantaneously changed her mind. Claire sat where the guard indicated. The guard then stepped from the room, leaving Brent and Claire alone.
She knew this was business, but he was her friend. She couldn’t stop herself. “Brent, how are you? How is Courtney? When is Caleb’s wedding?”
Stone faced and sober, Brent replied, “Ms. Nichols, I have been instructed to inform you of an impending civil suit in which you will be named the defendant.”
Creating an equally professional persona Claire responded, “Okay. Thank you for informing me, may I ask the grounds for this suit?”
“My client has reason to believe that you have spoken slander against him. This defamation of his character is being considered a ploy to damage his personal and professional reputation.” Brent said what was needed, with the demeanor necessary, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Claire looked different from what he expected. It wasn’t just her hair and the clothes, she had confidence and strength. These qualities had never been evident before. He recalled seeing her for the first time on Tony’s plane to New York. She looked nervous and insecure, yet tried to appear otherwise. Now after almost six months, three in a federal penitentiary, Claire seemed independent and strong. He knew it wasn’t where she’d been, but where she hadn’t. She hadn’t been under the gaze of the black eyes. Just like actual black holes they sucked strength, confidence, and assurance out of anyone close enough to be pulled into their orbit.
Carefully considering Brent’s words, Claire laughed and replied, “Thank you, Mr. Simmons. I am very concerned that your client will want my allegations made public, as would happen in such a suit.”
“Ms. Nichols, damage to my client’s professional reputation could result in a loss of income. A civil suit is meant to subsidize that loss of income.”
Smiling, she said, “And of course I have the necessary capital to subsidize your client’s income.”
“It is my responsibility to inform you that such a suit is under consideration and if filed you could be found liable.” Brent stood to leave.
“Brent, can you please talk with me for a minute?” The defeated look of his eyes said no. Brent was just north of fifty but his face looked much older. There were lines and definite circles under his sad eyes. He continued to gather his belongings. “Mr. Simmons?” They made eye contact. “Your wife told me one time that life is not a daily test. She said perfection is not always necessary. I want you to know that I know. I know better than anyone else, today you just passed a test.” She saw the change in his eyes, they glistened with a minuscule amount of moisture and he ever so slightly nodded his head in agreement. He started toward the door. “Mr. Simmons, two more things.” He stopped, she sounded so confident. “Should the subject come up for discussion, I welcome the suit. It will give me the opportunity to make my allegations again, perhaps to a larger forum.” He nodded with a knowing smile. She was right. Tony would never risk that exposure. “And the other thing, I truly love and miss your wife. If she cares, please tell her I really am fine. More fine than I used to be.”
“Thank you, Ms. Nichols. You have been notified.”
“Yes, Mr. Simmons, I have. Thank you.” He knocked and the guard opened the door. He left. The guard took Claire back to her cell. Walking through the halls, through the various locked gates, Claire couldn’t help feeling sorry for Brent. His prison was more of a hell than hers.
About three weeks later she received a short note in the mail. The return address was a PO box in Chicago, she didn’t recognize the name. But the note filled Claire with love and support. It wasn’t much, but it was something. To Claire, that was a lot!
I care. I’m glad. I’m sorry. I miss you too, and I hope to be able to do more. I love you! Cort