The last country on their journey was Switzerland. Tony had meetings, first in Interlaken and then in Genève. They spent one night in Interlaken. The Swiss Alps were the epitome of pure unsullied nature and grandeur. The small town of Interlaken is surrounded by crystal-clear lakes, sparkling streams, and waterfalls. And ever present were the Monch and Jungfrau mountain range of the Swiss Alps. Claire felt like she was in the middle of a postcard.
While Tony met with investors Claire chose to relish the relaxing scenery and take in the atmosphere. She wandered the streets, enjoyed the cafés, and rested in the beauty of the tranquil landscape. Their two weeks were action packed. She could have spent her time any way she chose, the options were numerous. However, she enjoyed some downtime to reflect on all they’d seen and relax in the natural splendor.
Her memories overflowed with sights and sounds of ancient cities. She could close her eyes and recall the amazing art and architecture. Inhaling the sweet Swiss chocolate as she sipped her coffee and nibbled on the candy bar, she remembered the amazing cuisine and delicious wines. She thought about her husband. He’d spent the entire two weeks open and understanding. She never anticipated the freedoms she’d been granted. Her stack of books remained unread. Even when she was late, his voice and expression were more of care and concern than of anger. Her thoughts moved from his voice and expression to his strong, safe embrace. They’d made love at every stop. She recalled the yacht with the rhythmic rocking from the sea. Smiling, she thought lustfully about wanting him. How on many occasions it was her that initiated their carnal encounters and he who responded appropriately.
Claire slowly realized he was doing what she’d asked, filling her with good memories. She finished her chocolate and smiled contentedly.
Early Saturday morning they boarded a train to Genève. Tony had one more meeting. It was his last obligation of their trip. After it concluded, they’d spend the last night in Genève and fly home in the morning. Claire couldn’t believe how quickly the fourteen days passed. The sights they saw and the experiences they had were more than she could wrap her mind around. She felt completely exhausted and yet exhilarated. The first time she remembered Tony traveling to Europe he’d stayed for eight days. Claire remembered that upon his arrival home he said he was tired. She understood. Being absent from Iowa for over two weeks, she was ready to get home. Their destinations were spectacular. However, Claire longed for the serenity of her bed and suite.
Before they went out for their final night in Europe, Tony insisted they take some time to visit famous boutiques and shops on Rue du Rhône. Claire repeatedly told him she needed nothing. As if unable to hear or comprehend, he led her to an exclusive jewelry store. He wanted her to have something to remember their time, so he purchased a sparkling diamond watch. She wondered about a possible double meaning.
After a nine-hour flight, they arrived home. She couldn’t remember being more tired. Their flight from Fiji was longer, yet they predominately rested in Fiji or at least spent time horizontal. She felt that she had been literally sightseeing, walking, and hiking for the past seventeen days. Their dinner in New York seemed forever ago, still she knew it was not.
Before they went to bed, Tony brought Claire a large stack of e-mails from his home office; she chose to not look at them. She’d do it tomorrow. They both collapsed into her bed. She thanked Tony repeatedly for the trip of a lifetime and the wonderful memories. She drifted into a dreamless sleep with her head resting on his shoulder, listening to his breathing.
He was exhausted too as he hugged the soft warm body that nestled against his. Hearing her thank him for the memories filled him with intense satisfaction. He closed his eyes, inhaled the scent of her hair, and recalled their memorable trip. Before he drifted off to sleep, Tony said, “I plan to go into the office tomorrow.”
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow evening, I plan to sleep through your alarm.”
Tony smiled.
It’s not a question of enough, pal.
It’s a Zero Sum game, somebody wins, somebody loses.
Money itself isn’t lost or made, it’s simply,
transferred from one perception to another.
Likemagic. —Gordon Gekko
Chapter 41
Anton stood silently outside of his grandfather’s home office. Even though the grand double doors were tightly closed, he could hear voices from within. His father insisted that Anton be excluded from the conversation within. As far as Anton was concerned, that was ridiculous. Something big was happening, and it had to do with his name and the company that he’d been told would be his.
Samuel could shelter him from the discussion and knowledge of the business dealings, but Anton wasn’t stupid. He could read a NYSE ticker. Rawls Corp. stock had plummeted from 79.8 to 56.4 at the close of trading. The news release proclaimed rumors of wrongdoings within the corporation. The four men within the office weren’t drinking beer and playing cards; this was deadly serious. It seemed like everything was crashing down around them. Someone opened a dam, and the water couldn’t be stopped.
Inside the cherry-paneled regal office, Nathaniel questioned Clawson. “You said no one would ever know. What the hell happened? Where did these allegations come from?”
“Mr. Rawls, I don’t know. We have covered our tracks for almost ten years. You have made a bloody fortune. Maybe the feds got nervous because you were making too much profit.”
“What the hell is that, too much profit?” Nathaniel couldn’t sit. He paced every inch of the plush carpet. “Have they investigated Trump or Gates? I’m nowhere close to those men.”
“It doesn’t matter who else has been investigated.” Samuel tried to bring the men back to the task at hand. “What matters is that we get our ducks in a row and meet the investigation head-on.”
Clawson gazed over to his assistant, Cole Mathews. Mathews was busy organizing stacks of paper and utilizing a shredder to reduce the paper overload. Clawson addressed both Rawls men. “Cole and I are making sure that there is no evidence that can be linked to any of the allegations.”
“You said no one would know. Why is Mathews shredding papers? There shouldn’t be anything that needs to be shredded.” Nathaniel watched as Mathew’s green eyes briefly met his. He seemed to be working as fast as the shredder would allow.
Cole Mathews entered their inner circle about two years ago. He didn’t talk much, but was a whiz at research. Tell him a stock or a company, and bingo, he will have more insider information than one would believe humanly possible. Suddenly, Nathaniel regretted not having Clawson and Mathews sign some kind of power of attorney, a way to distance himself from them.
These two men helped to make him mega-wealthy. At this moment, if possible he would hang them both out to dry to save himself and his family. Hell, Samuel wouldn’t even meet his eyes. Briefly Nathaniel thought about the recent news, the space shuttle “Challenger” blew up during takeoff. That was a damn shame. Just maybe that news would overshadow the unfortunate false allegations regarding Rawls Corp.