Truth, стр. 143
Her plan shocked, surprised, and disappointed Phil. She truly was much smarter than he’d initially given her credit. Now with the fortune she’d successfully acquired, the combination was impressive. And although his role was different than what he’d hoped, he was more than willing to accommodate.
Phil said, “I don’t think you should stay here too long. Where do you want to go?”
With her tired eyes lingering on the vista before her, she thoughtfully replied, “Back to Italy, I’ve been thinking about Venice. I’ve never been.”
“Then let’s decide on a hotel. I’ll meet you there in a week. By that time, I should have more information and some permanent destinations for you. Tell me your requirements again.”
Claire shifted and met his expectant gaze. “You’re worried about my plan, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I’ll feel better when you’re settled and safe.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to know someone’s worried about me.” She said as she sipped her iced water.
“There’re many people back in the states worried about you.”
Claire sat tall, her expression strong. She couldn’t allow herself to think about those people, not yet. Now that she knew the truth... she was the one putting them through hell, not Tony, not Catherine. Nevertheless, it was Catherine’s impending hell that forced her moves. Placing her hand on her mid-section, she knew winning this game was truly the difference between life and death.
If she was a child of a child, and Tony was a child of a child... their baby was doubly doomed.
Her voice held no hint of emotion. “I like tropical, secluded, and remote. I truly don’t care about amenities. Just give me warmth, water, and sunshine.” She gazed over Lake Geneva and turned back to Phil, “And medical care needs to be accessible.”
Claire looked at her watch, 12:02 AM. She glanced to Phil, “I’m going to do it.”
He nodded. “It’s a little after five there, Wednesday evening... he may not be in his office.”
“I have to try.” Claire rose and went into the suite. Her disposable international phone was on the table. She reached for it and called information in Iowa City. “I need the office number for the Prosecutor for Iowa City, please.” Moments later, “I would like to speak to Marcus Evergreen.” “I’m sure he’ll talk with me.” “Tell him it’s an out of work weather girl.” Claire waited a moment and then smiled at Phil. Her heartbeat quickened.
For the first time she could see the entire game board, a few more moves and her opponent would be in check. Her call was being forwarded...
The voice came through the receiver, “Hello? This is Marcus Evergreen.”
“Mr. Evergreen, I was wondering if perhaps this time you’d be willing to listen to the truth?”
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered. The trick is to discover them.
—Gallolao
Chapter 59
Claire Nichols, missing for over two weeks...
Tony settled into his plush leather chair. Perhaps because of the chaos happening around him or his desire to be away from people, his home office was the only place he could truly concentrate. He made daily appearances at his Iowa City office, but all traveling had been postponed, indefinitely. So far, none of the thousands of tips produced any clues into Claire’s disappearance. Tony rubbed his temples; it was as if she evaporated into thin air... like every hope or dream he’d ever had for his future.
He didn’t want to believe she chose to leave him. Yet, on another level, he did. If she left of her own free will, she was safe. Their baby was safe. If, as he suspected, she’d been lured away and was at the hands of some maniac, her future and that of their baby’s were unknown.
With each passing day doubts infiltrated his mind. If she left of her own free will, had any of the past four months been real? She’d accepted his ring. He told her every day how much he loved her. Had it all been a charade? Did she have her own agenda of revenge for his past sins? Tony didn’t want to think so... he just didn’t know.
Tony scanned his emails. Nothing caught his attention. He didn’t care anymore. Thankfully he had Tim, Tom, and Brent. For all practical purposes, Tim was running Rawlings Industries. Brent and Tom were busy with company matters as well as Tony’s personal matters. The Vandersols were taking every opportunity to declare Tony’s guilt to the world. Hell, at this point he’d turn himself in, if it would bring Claire home.
The large office doors opened. Catherine entered. “I came to check on you.”
“I’m fine.” His furrowed brow and the dark circles under his deep wrinkled eyes said otherwise.
“Anton, I’m sorry I didn’t try to stop her.”
Tony shook his head, “I’m not having this discussion with you.”
“But the Vandersols? If they have their way, you will be taken in on questioning, soon.”
“They’re vindictive idiots. The prosecutor will see through them.”
“Yes – but if her memoirs are published, it appears...”
Tony’s eyes pierced, “What did you say?”
Catherine straightened her neck. “I said, if Claire’s memoirs are published, the world will know about your predisposition toward violence.”
His eyes darkened with each word, “Catherine, you know I had nothing to do with her disappearance.”
She sat as her tone mellowed, “I do. But I understand the Vandersol’s concern.”
Tony’s attention turned toward his emails. One caught his attention. He clicked and read. According to his informant, Sophia had returned to Provincetown following her parents’ funeral. Under normal circumstances, he would have attended their funeral. These, however, were anything but normal. He looked back to Catherine.
“You judge me? You haven’t given a damn about your daughter in thirty plus years.”
Catherine sat straighter. “I’ll have that discussion with you in another thirty years, when you haven’t had contact with your child. Then we can discuss similarities.”
His hand hit his desk. The pen set and wireless mouse helplessly jumped. “I’ve told you your daughter lost her adoptive parents. Yet, you don’t give a damn!”
She leaned toward him, questioning, “Did you?”
“Of course not!” His eyebrows rose. “Did you?”
“You know, I don’t even know her name.”
This was only their second open conversation on the subject of Catherine’s daughter.
“I doubt there is anything in this house you don’t know. Her information is in my private files.”
Catherine exhaled, “How did it happen? How did her parents die?”
“I’m not sure.” Tony shrugged. “Her adoptive father was beginning to show signs of dementia. He was driving.”
Catherine’s eyes closed. Dementia... her thoughts immediately went to Sharron Rawls. “How bad?” Her voice was but a whisper.
Tony sat straighter, “He wasn’t like grandmother, not yet.”
“Then she’s better off. At least she didn’t need to witness...”
Tony closed his eyes, “Catherine, she could use a parent.”
Her gray eyes stared; the silence grew. Finally she replied, “Mr. Rawlings, I am sure you will do whatever you feel is best. I have made my feelings clear.” She stood and started toward the door. Suddenly she turned back toward the desk, “Mr. Evergreen called – again. He wants to speak with you in person.”
Tony turned from Catherine back to the computer screen. The NASDEQ indicator for Rawlings Industries displayed the stock’s continued downward spiral. It didn’t matter that he wasn’t responsible for Claire’s disappearance. The effects of the Vandersol’s claims were also being felt on the Dow Jones. He checked his watch. At least the weekend would stall the continued drop. There were only a few more minutes until the end of Friday’s trading session. The fun would resume again on Monday.