He spoke softly into his phone as he eased the car back onto the road. When she entered the mansion she went quietly to their suite and collapsed on the large bed. Would this ever end? Would her baby ever be safe? She’d tried to call Tony. Her mind spun with what-ifs as his phone went straight to voicemail. What time was it in Europe? She couldn’t think.
Claire was almost asleep when the knock came on the suite door. With puffy eyes and an aching head, she managed, “Come in.”
Catherine entered, “I just heard what happened. Are you all right? Should we call your doctor?”
“I’m fine,” though the anguish in her voice revealed otherwise.
Catherine approached the bed. “Can I help?”
“I don’t think anyone can help. I’ve tried to reach Tony, but I keep getting his voicemail.” Claire shook her head. “It feels the same – although I know it’s different.”
“I don’t understand.”
Claire sat up. “I know I have my phone and access to friends and internet, but I feel trapped.”
Catherine held her hand, “You aren’t. You see the difference from before, don’t you?”
Claire nodded, “I do. This time, it isn’t Tony – it’s this person. Who would want to hurt me or our child? I don’t understand. I’m afraid it will never end.” When Catherine failed to offer Claire the reassurance she sought, Claire’s tears resumed. She buried her face in the soft plush pillows. Catherine gently rubbed her back until Claire’s tears subsided and sleep overtook her.
Later that evening Catherine personally delivered Claire’s meal to her suite. When Claire saw Catherine’s return, she couldn’t hide her surprise, “Catherine, I hadn’t planned on eating in here tonight. Outside would be nice.” The cooler late summer evenings combined with the red and golden leaves made the back patio very enjoyable. Although she was nestled on the leather sofa with her reader, the tepid breeze from the open French doors beckoned Claire outside.
Without acknowledging Claire’s words, Catherine pushed the cart to the side of the small dining table and silently began placing dishes upon the surface. When she’d finished there were two place settings. She turned solemnly toward Claire and said, “I think it’s time we talk. As you probably know, there are no cameras in here. This is the best place.”
Immediately noticing the change in Catherine’s demeanor, Claire nodded. Curiosity overpowered her thoughts. Claire needed to know what Catherine wanted to say. Their discussion took them late into the night.
How long had she sought the truth about Tony’s promise to Nathaniel? Now with all her might she wished for ignorance.
Tony’s hesitance and Catherine’s reluctance at disclosing the full truth was easily understood. As the evening progressed, Claire wondered how Catherine knew so much. Of course, she’d been within the walls of the Rawlings and Rawls’ homes for a very long time, and there wasn’t much which occurred within those walls that Catherine didn’t know.
With all of Claire’s heart she wanted to call Tony and verify the story she’d just heard. But as Catherine explained, if she called Tony and opted for the escape Catherine offered, she risked too much. The New York Bar Association recently agreed to revisit John’s case. John still wasn’t speaking to Claire, but Emily was, a little. And then there were Amber and Harry. After what happened to Simon years ago, a part of Claire feared for Harry ever since she confessed their brief relationship. Tony had stayed true to his word. Her friends and family were safe; however, if he thought she left him of her own accord, he would no longer be bound by his promise.
Catherine was right. It had to look like this unknown perpetrator took her. It was the only way to keep everyone she loved safe.
Although, her heart told her to stop and trust the man she knew she loved, her mind replayed the words Catherine shared, “Anton promised to keep Nathaniel’s vow – Everyone associated with Nathaniel’s downfall will pay ... their children, their children’s children, and children’s children’s children...”
How could she stay? Even if she’d already paid her due, Claire couldn’t allow her child to pay.
The temperature of her and Tony’s suite dropped as Catherine presented her final and most persuasive argument. Catherine stood from the table, disappeared into the closet, and returned with Claire’s missing laptop. When Claire saw it she thought she’d be ill. “I thought my laptop was missing?” Claire asked as dread filled her chest.
“I believe the final word was,” Catherine set the laptop on the table in front of Claire, “the police weren’t able to locate your laptop.”
Semantics, Claire thought. “When was it found?”
“From what I understand, it was before you regained consciousness after Patrick Chester’s attack.”
“I don’t understand...” Claire looked into Catherine’s gray eyes hoping for an answer capable of quelling the dread growing within her. “That missing laptop is why I moved back here.”
Catherine closed her eyes and nodded, “Anton knew if you felt threatened you’d be more likely to move.”
Claire tried desperately to comprehend Catherine’s words while her new world crashed around her. “What about the packages?”
“Those are real.” Claire heard the emotion in Catherine’s voice, “At least I think they are.”
By the time Catherine left the suite, the tepid air had become cold. Walking to the French doors, Claire stepped onto the private patio and looked up at the velvety sky ladened with millions of stars. Struggling with her decision, the cool autumn air cleared Claire’s mind and her thoughts moved to her future. In and out, inhale and exhale. Her future was her baby’s future. Claire knew she needed to make her child’s safety her first priority. Feeling the calming effects of Iowa’s tranquility she contemplated her decision. Tony wasn’t due back to Iowa for four more days. If she followed through on Catherine’s plan, by the time he returned she’d be long gone and no one would suspect him.
The stars blurred as she thought about the dark chocolate eyes she’d never see again. Her heart ached. Nevertheless, her child’s safety was paramount in her mind. Suddenly, Claire prayed, not for the green-eyed daughter Tony sought, but for a dark-eyed son...
*****
Sophia felt she was getting better and better at timing her personal events around Derek’s travel. While he was on his second trip to the orient, she executed a very successful art exhibit at her Provincetown studio. Although she often exhibited at the Palo Alto studio, since Mr. George was called away and the new curator was in place, she wasn’t as comfortable there. It was all right while she was in Santa Clara. But more than anything, she relished her time on the East coast.
Her recently found success and artificially high sales prices out West increased her notoriety throughout the East coast art community. This translated into more guests and investors interested in her three day gallery exhibit.
As she settled into their cottage on the cape, Sophia poured herself a glass of wine and waited for the familiar ringing of her laptop. Derek’s Skype call was due any minute. Although the time difference made communication difficult, they’d worked out a manageable schedule. Derek’s new assistant was both efficient and experienced with business travel. His suggestions aided in making their separation easier. Sophia never heard what happened to Danni. The last thing Derek said was that she was transferred to another office under the Rawlings Industries umbrella. Personally, Sophia could care less. She was just glad the woman wasn’t around her husband anymore.
The ringing of her laptop brought Sophia’s focus to the screen. After a moment or two of circles turning, she saw her husband’s soft brown eyes shining from the other side of the world. “Hey, Beautiful, how did day three of your exhibit go?”
“It went very well.”
“Do you ever wish you’d taken that offer for the traveling exhibit?”