Isabelle read in disbelief. If Tony were in Europe when she left, how could anyone suspect him? She never meant to implicate him. That’s why Catherine recommended Claire leave immediately, so she would disappear while he was out of town. And, what about Meredith’s book? Catherine said Tony’s lawyers would stop it. What if they didn’t? Claire hated herself for going through with those interviews. Lastly, John and Emily’s actions infuriated Claire. If only she could call them... but she knew it wasn’t an option.
For the last two days Isabelle reviewed Catherine’s specific instructions regarding the hidden fortune. She also practiced her Italian and used it whenever possible. According to Catherine, Nathaniel’s money was hidden at an institution in Geneva, Switzerland. She said Tony had accessed the money for different things throughout the years. Nevertheless, Catherine believed it had accrued nicely since Nathaniel’s death. According to the documents, there was a safety deposit box within the institution which could only be accessed by two people: Anton or Marie Rawls. Catherine provided Claire with Marie’s information. And Phil supplied her with identification under the same alias. Sometime during their fateful late night talk, Claire asked Catherine, “Were you still with the Rawls when Nathaniel remarried.”
“I was.”
So many questions came to Claire’s mind: Nathaniel’s second wife was the woman Tony protected, the woman Patrick Chester thought was Samuel’s sister. She was the woman who killed Samuel and Amanda. But that was a long time ago, and Tony said the woman was still alive. Claire asked, “Was she younger than Nathaniel?”
“Yes,” Catherine answered and then asked, “You are younger than Anton. Do you think that’s wrong?”
“No, I’m just trying to figure things out.” Claire wanted to ask more. However, she needed to concentrate first and foremost on her escape. Besides, Claire had the feeling her questions made Catherine uncomfortable.
As Catherine described the financial institution in Geneva, Claire remembered the place. Near the end of her European journey, so long ago with Tony, she’d met him at the same institution before they went for lunch. Claire remembered being early and waiting patiently for him to emerge from behind the gated area. This time she’d be the one behind the gates.
Catherine provided Claire with the number of the safety deposit box, as well as a copy of the required key. Both were necessary to access the safety deposit box. The moment Claire saw the key Catherine placed in a small envelope, she recognized it. It was the odd shaped key Tony used to roll from finger to finger when agitated. Years ago, Claire hated that key. Its presence meant her day had just taken a turn for the worse. Now, its replica would unlock her and her baby’s future.
Things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many. The intelligence of a few, perceives what has been carefully hidden.
—Roman poet Phaedrus
Chapter 58
One week after Claire’s disappearance:
Derek held his wife’s hand admiring her strength. Bravely, she faced mourner after mourner, as each offered their condolences. No one mentioned Carlo’s recent mental state. It wasn’t as if everyone didn’t know. The unsaid tragedy was that he’d taken Silvia with him. They all pitied Sophia, losing both parents at once.
When Derek arrived in New Jersey from Taiwan, Sophia had already faced too many things alone. She’d visited the morgue. Fortunately, the coroner hadn’t allowed her to view her parents’ remains. After striking the tree their Camry burst into flames. She did identify some of their possessions. Her parent’s wedding rings, though charred, survived the inferno. Sophia recognized them immediately.
Although she grieved their loss, Sophia reasoned it was better for them to be together. She couldn’t imagine consoling her mother if her father died alone. Derek embraced his wife as she rationalized the tragedy. It was late one night while holding her trembling body, she uttered the words he never expected to hear. Though muffled by tears, her resolve was steadfast, “I’ve lost my only parents... I never want to go through this again.”
He understood what she was saying. She didn’t want to find her birth parents. He whispered, “Anyone can give birth... a parent is the person who loves you every day without condition.”
Sophia nodded into his chest. “Mine were the best. Please don’t let me forget that... if I ever change my mind... please remind me.”
He hugged her tight and promised.
*****
Other than the meal she’d shared with Tony at the French restaurant in Palo Alto, Claire hadn’t had the opportunity to practice her newly acquired languages. Nonetheless, as she traveled through Italy and Switzerland, her Italian came back with a little more than a hint of an American accent. That didn’t seem to matter. She spoke well enough to gain access to the locked vault in Geneva.
Appearing with short-dark hair and gray eyes to match the ID with the name C. Marie Rawls, Marie entered the vault with a bank official. Her hands trembled as they approached the safety deposit box once opened by Nathaniel. According to the ledgers, it was regularly accessed by Anton Rawls, usually twice a year. Claire signed the same ledger: Marie Rawls and presented her identification. The officer never flinched. He asked, “Seniora Rawls, la sua chiave?” (Ms. Rawls, do you have the key?)
“Si, signore, grazie.” (Yes, sir, thank you) She prayed the financial executive couldn’t hear the pounding of her heart or sense her wet palms. She placed the small replicated key in his outstretched palm. Marie smiled when he gently closed his fingers around her petite hand. The man was less concerned with her identity and more interested in her proximity. She responded boldly, “Signore, ti ringrazio per il vostro aiuto.” (Sir, I appreciate your assistance here)
“Forse più tardi?” (Maybe later?)
“Prima la mia missione.” (First, my mission)
He released her hand with a friendly, “Si, naturalmente.” (Yes, naturally)
With his invitation momentarily dismissed, the officer inserted a key from his large ring. Next, he took Marie’s key. When he fumbled momentarily, her breathing stopped and her heart forgot to beat. Then, all at once the metal key breached the archaic lock. The tumblers turned; he slid the long box from its home. Remembering to exhale, Marie worked diligently to maintain her stoic expression as she followed him to a private room.
Once alone, Claire opened the lid and gasped. She’d come this far, she’d given up her life, listened to Catherine’s advice... all for a virtually empty box. However, virtually was not entirely. Slowly Claire removed the documents. In the next forty-five minutes she read all the information.
Nathaniel planned everything to a T. His original intention was for Marie or Anton to tend to his fortune. He left specific instructions about maintaining an overseas cache. The money was to be constantly rotated, moved, and secured. All pertinent information regarding the accounts was to stay locked in this box. Only the person in possession of these documents could access the monies. Being as he didn’t know for sure which heir would maintain his secret, everything was accessible with a numeric code. No names were associated with the financial accounts. This layer of security also aided in concealing the true ownership. Tracing the money to a Rawls, or anyone in the United States, was virtually impossible. The Switzerland financial system specialized in maintaining hidden fortunes. Only in the case of broken laws would they share information with the United States government.