Truth, стр. 139
*****
Once settled in Florence, Isabelle utilized an Internet Cafe to surf the web and learn the latest news happening back in Iowa. The face of Claire Nichols appeared in multiple thumbnails. She scrolled over the pictures which looked nothing like the blue-eyed woman with short dark hair staring at the monitor.
Different titles appeared: Missing - Day Three, Reward Offered, Ex-Husband “Person of Interest”, and Vanished – Memoirs left behind.
Claire read each article scrutinizing every detail. The first article spoke analytically about Claire’s disappearance. It described the incident where her car was attacked by another car, how that evening she went for a drive and never returned. The article highlighted photos of her and Tony at recent events. It even showed a recent photo of them out to eat. Claire tried to see the restaurant. She was pretty sure it was in Chicago and on her left hand she could see her engagement ring.
The next article said: Anthony Rawlings believes his ex-wife was coerced off his estate and kidnapped. He states the incident in California as evidence of a probable attack. To this end he is currently offering a reward of $100,000 for information leading to the safe return of his ex-wife. The Iowa City Police Department hired additional personnel to help with the onslaught of calls and emails. Mr. Rawlings offered to reimburse ICPD for the extra expense.
The “Person of Interest” story claimed John and Emily Vandersol, Claire Nichols only family, made allegations suggesting Anthony Rawlings look no farther than the mirror. They allege the wealthy tycoon is responsible for the disappearance of Claire Nichols, claiming he’s done it before (see story related to memoirs). The office of Mr. Marcus Evergreen, Johnson County Prosecutor, Iowa City, Iowa, stated formal charges against Mr. Rawlings are under consideration.
Mr. Rawlings’ attorneys are working overtime. While defending his innocence they are also battling Parrott Press. The publishing company is seeking to publish Ms. Nichols memoirs immediately. A written agreement between the author, Ms. Nichols, and Mr. Rawlings states said manuscript may only be published in the event of possible harm to Ms. Nichols. Parrott Press believes her disappearance fits this description. Advanced orders of: My Life as It Didn’t Appear - Unofficial biography of Claire Rawlings Nichols have exceeded one million.
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?)