Truth (37 page)

Part-way through the
evening, Claire presented Meredith with a
Confidentiality Agreement
. If
Meredith signed the CA, she agreed not to speak to anyone about the
information revealed by Claire Rawlings Nichols. Once the
information was approved by Ms. Nichols, it could be reviewed for
editorial purposes. During the interview process, no one else could
know. All the information would be kept secret, until the
appropriate time.

They hadn’t talked money or substance, but
as Claire opened her door, and alarms sounded in Phillips’s suite,
Claire confirmed their goal, “I feel good about this, Meredith; you
think about it. We can met again tomorrow night and let me know
your decision.”

Meredith hugged her sorority sister, “I know
I’m in. What time tomorrow?”

“
Here at seven, some
dinner and we’ll begin.”

Meredith smiled sweetly, “I can’t wait. See
you then.” She watched Claire a moment and asked, “The retraction
isn’t coming out until tomorrow. Would you mind if I blogged
tonight?”

“
As long as it stays in
our perimeters.”

Meredith relaxed, “I’ll send you the copy
before I post it.”

Claire nodded her approval.

“
I can’t wait to get
started on all of this. See you tomorrow.” With that, Meredith
walked down the hall.

Claire shut the large
double door and looked around the luxurious living room. Near the
table where they’d eaten dinner was a high boy, complete with
various shaped glasses and a bucket of ice. Inhaling the sweet
serene quiet of her resolve, Claire moved toward the mini bar. She
hadn’t ordered wine with dinner; she wanted to be in complete
control of her senses. But now that the evening was done, she
sighed,
Yes,
I
deserve a glass of wine.

Gazing at the small, one serving bottles,
she decided a real bottle was in order and called room service.
Claire reasoned, she may not finish an entire bottle, but with the
stress of her first face-to-face with Meredith, she deserved it and
would give it a good start! Considering a snack, Claire decided
wine was sufficient. The server, on the other end of the line,
promised prompt service with delivery in five minutes. Claire
smiled. Hotels were always so willing to accommodate their nicer
suites.

Settling on the plush
sofa, Claire kicked off her shoes and mentally reviewed her time
with Meredith. As she replayed each interaction she felt satisfied.
It was exactly what she’d hoped for, maybe more. Meredith seemed
competent and eager. And Claire had to admit, it was fun to hear
about so many people from her past. Her bright disposition clouded
with the thought of their articles, how would people react to the
information? Did she truly want the world knowing her private
misery? After a moment of self-reflection she reassured
herself,
this isn’t about me. This is to
inform the world about Tony. I was the victim; he’s the villain. I
need to get that information out!

Her thoughts turned to Harry. She was
eternally grateful for the way he reacted to her private
confessions. That, plus the memories of Courtney and Brent
continued to fortify her resolve. Unconsciously, she wrapped her
arms around her chest and felt a twinge of loneliness. Harry asked
to accompany her to this meeting. Claire just believed she’d be
more effective with Meredith one-on-one, and now that the first
meeting was complete, she knew she’d been right. The entire evening
was better than she could have ever anticipated.

Claire reached for her iPhone to call Harry,
when a knock came from the door. Instead she reached for her purse
and pulled out a ten dollar bill; the bottle of wine would go on
her hotel tab, but she wanted to tip the waiter. Leaving her phone
and her purse on the table, she went to the door.

*****

Even though Mr. Rawlings released him for
the evening, Phillip Roach remained online with his video
surveillance. It was like the night at the French restaurant in
Palo Alto. Even though Claire gave him the gift certificate, Mr.
Rawlings made it clear Phil didn’t need to continue his observation
within the restaurant. Actually, Mr. Rawlings specifically told
Phil to wait outside until Ms. Nichols left the establishment,
follow her, and report when she made it home. Sometimes Phillip
felt more like a babysitter than a private detective.

Tonight he didn’t know which title he should
accept. He’d informed Mr. Rawlings of Ms. Nichols’ early departure
from San Francisco. He decided truth about his minor slip, would
help him avoid another devious exchange with Ms. Nichols. Then he
followed her to San Diego. Thankfully, she actually stayed at the
hotel where she’d made reservations. It was there Phil wired her
door and set up the necessary cameras.

Now, watching the video feed, he saw his
employer, dressed in casual khaki slacks and a button down shirt,
waiting patiently for Ms. Nichols’ door to open. He glanced at his
watch, almost ten thirty. Although Mr. Rawlings looked calm, Phil
knew differently. Throughout the day and their multiple
conversations, it was obvious Mr. Rawlings was not happy about
whatever Claire was doing with Meredith Banks. Phillip Roach,
seasoned private detective, knew he should turn off the video feed
and stop watching, but he couldn’t. Claire Nichols was now his
obsession, admittedly, as much as Anthony Rawlings’. Phil didn’t
understand his fascination, other than the obvious money he earned
watching her. It was just that sometimes he worried about her, with
Rawlings. It wasn’t his place to make assessments. Not to mention,
it’s highly out of character. However, Phil reasoned, he was
usually in and out of a job in days. He’d been watching Claire for
almost two months.

Glancing from the monitor, he noticed the
time, 10:28:07. His eyes returned to the screen, seeing Ms. Nichols
open the door to her suite. Phillip saw her immediate change in
body language. Her normal carefree presence transformed
instantaneously. She immediately stiffened. The intensity of her
stare caught Phillip’s attention. The normal sparkle in her eyes
morphed to a glare.

This was his job. Phillip
Roach watched... perhaps, his correct title was
voyeur
.

*****

Claire stared in disbelief; words failed
her. The expression glowering down at her was not the same one
she’d seen a few weeks ago. This was one she’d seen before, one she
preferred to keep compartmentalized away. It contained all the
signature features of the man she wanted to avoid, eyes black as
night, a tightly clenched jaw, and the visibly strained neck
muscles. Angst filled her chest sending a rush of alarm through her
veins. Without thinking, she went into defense mode, straightened
her neck, and returned his glare.

Through clinched teeth, Tony said, “Let me
in. We need to talk.”

“
I don’t think we have
anything to discuss. You made an unnecessary trip. Please go.” Her
voice sounded small yet strong.

Tony stepped toward the entry, “We are not
having this discussion in the hallway. I’m coming in.” With that he
pushed past her into the suite. Claire immediately stepped back
avoiding contact. He closed the door behind him. Tension filled the
suite as they stared at one another. She contemplated her strategy
while evaluating his movements. Then the reality hit her, and her
momentary intimidation changed to indignation.

“
We’re not married and I’m
not your prisoner. You can’t just bully your way in here.” His
glare would stop most people in their tracks. Claire was sure it
had. It’d stopped her before, but not today. “I want you to leave.”
Each phrase grew stronger.

Ignoring her demands, Tony
circled the living room of Claire’s suite, like a lion sizing up
its prey. His presence dwarfed the once large room. Unknowingly,
she held her breath as she watched his still clenched jaw and
listened as his words came as a low growl, “What are you doing
with
her
?”

“
I’m having an overdue
reunion with an old college friend.” Feeling slightly more
confident, she continued, “Besides, it’s really none of your
business. You shouldn’t even be here. ” She observed the dark
deepen in his gaze. Watching from a new perspective, Claire decided
the darkness wasn’t just his eyes, but his entire expression, the
way his brow furrowed and his jaw tightened. While her eyes saw
only him, his ferocity filled her other senses. She waited for the
sound of his reply. So much could be interpreted by the tone,
tenor, and speed of his words. The room also filled with his scent.
The cologne she’d dreamt about was once again penetrating her
senses. Yet, her thoughts weren’t sensual. Seeing him stalk toward
her, she remembered fear, and reconsidered her boldness.

Without warning his hands forcibly seized
her shoulders. His words came with hot needy breaths upon her face.
Her gaze never wavered, with each syllable she continued to stare
into the darkness. “You think I’m stupid? You’re talking to her
about me, and I won’t have it.” Claire chose not to reply. Tony
exhaled and growled, “Damn it, Claire, you infuriate me!”

Before she could register his words and
actions with enough sensibility to form her thoughts, he released
her shoulders and stomped toward the windows. The dark San Diego
sky turned the multiple glass panes into a mirror. She watched his
eyes close in the reflection, and his shoulders sag from behind.
The distance gave her needed clarity. The fact, he wasn’t wearing a
suit suddenly caught her attention. Her heartbeat calmed, and she
listened to his words, “I flew across the damn country and have
been sitting in a damn car waiting for your little reunion to
conclude.”

Claire shivered at the idea of him
monitoring her movements so thoroughly. “Tony, you need help. I
can’t believe you’re watching me that closely. Get over it!”

He looked at her with disbelief, his voice
no longer harsh. What did she hear? “Don’t you understand? I can’t.
You know from your prison delivery, I’ve been watching you for a
very long time.”

“
And I think it is beyond
creepy. Why? Tell me why. You didn’t answer my question
before.”

Visibly calming, Tony’s
clenching ceased. He ran his hands over the back of a chair as a
mischievous grin slowly formed, shattering his angry expression and
mellowing his gaze. “Creepy? I’ve been called many things, but I
think that’s the first time someone has called me
creepy
.”

Claire tried to hide her smile, “To your
face.”

After a moment, his amusement reached his
eyes, bringing light to darkness, “Touché,” he nodded, “that may be
true.”

“
I guarantee it. Now if
you’re going to bust into my hotel room, answer
my
question. I don’t owe you answers
if you’re not going to give them to me.”

Tony looked at the sofa and back to Claire.
“If you’re asking me questions does that mean you aren’t throwing
me out?”

Claire crossed her arms
across her chest and debated. A second ago she wanted him out, but
his fight toward calm was a step in the right direction. “I don’t
recall ever having the ability to
throw
you out
of anywhere. Maybe times do
change?”

“
People change,
too.”

He sat. Before she could join him in the
sitting area another knock came upon the door. Tony looked at her
with surprise. “Are you expecting company?”

“
I ordered wine from room
service,” she said, as she walked to the door. This time she looked
through the peep hole.

“
That must be why you
opened the door earlier. You obviously didn’t look the last time.”
He smirked.

“
You’re right; it’s a
habit I need to work on.” She opened the door. A young man dressed
in a burgundy uniform entered, pushing a linen covered cart. Upon
the cart was a bottle of Merlot and two glasses. He smiled politely
at them.

“
Ms. Nichols.” He
acknowledged. Claire confirmed. She realized the scene looked far
different than reality. The young man requested, “Please sign
this.” He presented her with a small black folder, a smile and a
slight bow.

Claire took the binder and
opened the small folder. To her surprise the paper within wasn’t a
receipt, it was a note.
Ms. Nichols, I’m
entrusting your silence. Just making sure you are all right.
P.
She looked to the waiter, who watched
expectantly. Nervously, her gaze went to Tony who too was watching.
She took the pen and wrote:
Yes – Thanks
C
. and closed the folder. Finding the ten
dollar bill, she handed both to the waiter.

“
Thank you.”

“
Thank you, ma’am. May I
open the bottle?”

Claire nodded. After releasing the cork, he
bowed again. Claire thanked him, and he left with his small black
folder.

Claire returned her gaze
to Tony as she thought,
Your creepy
stalker, Phil Roach, is concerned. It’s almost
comical
. She didn’t know if this
declaration was good or bad. The ludicrousness made her giggle. If
she’d been alone, it may have bordered on hysteria, but as it was,
Tony’s voice returned her to present.

“
Did you order two
glasses?”

She shook her head and tried to focus, her
words came through muffled laughter, “No, but since they’re here,
would you like some Merlot?”