Truth (80 page)

Tony removed his iPhone from his pocket. “I
have her number.”

Claire eyed him suspiciously, “How do you
have her number? And now that I’m thinking about it, how did you
have Harry’s?”

He looked down, “Before I answer, you must
admit the information was useful.”

“
Yes, I admit that.
How?”

He handed her his phone
with
Meredith Banks
on the screen. “You just need to hit call.”

“
I know how to use a
phone, thank you.” She waited. She remembered how Tony didn’t like
asking the same question more than once. She knew the feeling and
continued to stare.

“
The night of the gala I
copied your contacts.”

Claire shook her head and
hit
call
. While
she spoke to Meredith another orderly entered her room with another
bouquet of flowers. Tony accepted the arrangement and sat it on the
large window ledge. He reached for the card and began to carry it
to Claire. Suddenly, he stopped. Claire watched as he opened the
envelope and the color drained from his face. She wondered if it
were from Harry.

“
Thank you, Meredith, our
agreement is still intact.” “Yes, I’m fine.” “This had nothing to
do with Tony.” “I need to go.” “Thank you, good-bye.” She
disconnected the call. “Tony what is it?”

He hesitated. “I’ll be back in a minute.” He
started to leave her room with the card.

“
No, you don’t.” Her voice
rose. “Show me that card.”

When he turned toward her, his expression
was scarier than she’d seen in years. “Claire, you and our baby do
not need to be concerned. I’ll find out who is responsible for
this, and by the way, we are talking to your doctor about a
referral for Iowa City. You are moving home as soon as you’re
released.”

She didn’t want to argue.
It wasn’t just his expression, the darkness of his eyes, or the
determined tone. She saw fear masked under his sudden fury. “Tony,”
she spoke softly. “Please let me see the card. I’m not arguing. I
need to know what
I
need to do to protect our baby.”

Slowly he walked toward her. His furrowed
brow and intense glare revealed his conflicting emotions.

Claire pleaded, “I know
you want to protect me, but you have to let
me
protect me.”

He handed her the card and
she read the envelope:
Claire Nichols
Rawls.
The air left her lungs. She opened
the envelope and read the note:

I hear
you
are well. Now there’s
another body to add to the count.

“
What does that mean?” She
asked, as the fear she felt Sunday night returned.

“
I don’t know. I know it
means you’re coming home with me.”

Claire nodded.

Trouble is part of your
life. If you don't share it,
you don't give the person who loves you
a chance to love you enough.
- Dinah
Shore

Chapter
54

Late Wednesday afternoon Dr. Sizemore
released Claire from the hospital and gave her a referral to Iowa
City. Tony wanted to drive her directly to the airport; however,
Claire convinced him to take her back to her condominium and pack
some of her things. She didn’t know if her trip to Iowa was for a
week, a month, or forever.

Entering her bedroom, the sight of her
things strewn across the room and drawers emptied all over the
floor... paralyzed her movement. Her knees weakened as Tony’s
strong embrace steadied her. Together they worked to right the
mess.

When they finally had her room almost in
order, building security called. There was a package waiting
downstairs for Claire. They wanted to confirm her presence before
bringing it to her unit. Leaving Tony in her room, she went to the
door and greeted the security guard with the potted plant. It
wasn’t the same man who saved her. But everyone within 365 Forest
Avenue knew what had transpired.

“
Ms. Nichols, we’re all so
glad you’re safe.”

“
Thank you, I
am.”

“
Here’s your delivery.
Obviously, lots of people are worried about you.” The young man
handed her the plastic wrapped arrangement and scanned the
envelope. “This is you, right?”

Claire read the
card:
Claire Nichols Rawls.

Feeling suddenly faint, she called for Tony.
He immediately appeared by her side, took the card, saw the name,
and rudely ordered, “Take this away”.

Claire didn’t have the presence of mind or
words to mend Tony’s negativity. Instead, she merely nodded. The
guard apologized and left with the plant.

Tony opened the envelope – nothing... not
even a card within. “I’ll find out who’s doing this, I
promise.”

The conviction in his voice reassured
Claire. Tony meant every word. She stood straighter, nodded, held
back tears, and walked past him toward her room. Before she could
pass, Tony seized her arm and stopped her movement. Claire looked
up at him indignantly and watched his eyes darken as his voice
echoed against the long hallway and wooden floors, “You are not
staying here another night.”

Her bruise-covered face and pained
expression were more than Tony could take. It wasn’t a debatable
statement.

Claire nodded, “I know. I want to pack.”

He released her arm, “While you do, I’ll
make some calls. May I go into the living room?”

“
Yes, Amber knows we’re
here. She’s giving us space.”

“
She doesn’t want to see
me.” His statement wasn’t judgmental -- just a statement. Either
way, he was right; Amber was purposely avoiding the condominium.
She wasn’t the only one opposed to Claire’s decisions. Emily
repeatedly chided her. John avoided her at all costs, and Claire
hadn’t spoken to Harry since the hospital room.

With the recent turn of
events, Tony’s estate seemed much safer than California, if only
temporarily. Claire packed while Tony made calls. His efforts were
rewarded as he learned: the flowers and plant came from two
separate florists. One was ordered over the telephone, the other
over the internet. The caller ordering the flowers claimed to
be
Mrs. Rawls
and
used a purchased credit card, the kind available at any retailer
across the country. The internet order appeared to be made by
Claire herself; all the information entered into the order form was
hers. It was also purchased with the same type of credit card, but
from a different retailer. Tony also had people working to track
the origin of the credit cards and someone checking the fingerprint
of the computer placing the internet order.

Claire didn’t understand it all, but if it
led Tony to the person sending the threatening gifts, she was all
for it.

Although Tony repeatedly told Claire she
didn’t need any of her clothes or anything that wasn’t of emotional
value, she packed as much as her luggage would hold. Her belongings
were the things she’d accumulated on her own; everything from her
lingerie to the flip-flops she wore on the beach with Courtney
meant something. Securing her jewelry in a small velvet bag she
fingered her new diamond stud earrings. Admittedly, they weren’t as
large as the ones she sold. But, nevertheless, they were hers,
bought by her. She didn’t want to part with them.

Claire struggled with her research. Even
though her laptop was still missing, she had hard copies of
everything. Did she want to take all of that to Tony’s? Claire
decided she should. She didn’t know anymore who to believe or who
to trust. What if someone used her information to hurt Tony? It was
safer with her.

By the time Claire finished packing, it was
late and she was tired.

Tony conceded, “We can spend the night in
Palo Alto at my hotel. Tomorrow we’ll come back for your things and
leave for Iowa.” Claire agreed. There was no need for debate. Every
time she walked into the living room, in her mind, she saw Patrick
Chester.

As she settled into the passenger seat of
his rental car, exhaustion hit. By the time they arrived at the
Marriott where he’d rented the Presidential Suite, Claire was sound
asleep. Tony’s words woke her gently as he opened the door and
kissed her cheek, “I’d gladly carry you to my suite, but I’m afraid
we’d attract more attention than either of us wants.”

Despite the stress of the day and of the
past few days, his sensitive smile and tender tone made her anxious
expression morph into a smile. “I’m pretty sure I can walk.” She
stood sorely and melted against his chest. “I could do this alone,
but I’m so thankful I don’t have to.” She brushed her lips against
his. “Thank you.”

When they reached the suite, Claire looked
around at the modern furnishings and beautiful view. The living
room had lovely glass doors leading to a balcony, an archway
leading to a dining room, and a doorway she assumed lead to a
bedroom.

Tony offered, “Perhaps we should order some
food?”

“
I just want a shower and
some sleep,” Claire said as she walked toward the
bedroom.

The warm water assaulted her bruised skin
and at the same time felt wonderfully refreshing. She towel dried
and combed her hair and brushed her teeth (if they could share a
bed and a baby, why not a toothbrush?). She turned off the lights
and settled into the large king sized bed wearing one of Tony’s
t-shirts. She’d seen her reflection in the bathroom mirror and
didn’t want Tony to see the large bruises on her ribs. Although
sleep loomed, she yearned to feel his embrace. The last few days
left her anxious and Tony’s presence reassured her. Closing her
eyes, she realized how safe she felt near him. Thinking about the
stories she’d recently recounted to Meredith, Claire knew that
hadn’t always been the case, but now she longed for his
presence.

As she was about to drift away, she heard a
knock at the door. Claire assumed Tony must have ordered dinner.
She rolled over, wincing from her sore ribs, cradled a pillow, and
drifted away.

Sometime later, Claire woke with a start.
She’d been dreaming, no, not dreaming – it was a nightmare:
darkness, Chester, gun shots... She reached for Tony, but his side
of the bed was cool.

His t-shirt fell to her thighs as she
quietly walked toward the living room. Her bare feet silently made
their way down the hall. In the near darkness she saw the back of
Tony’s head, bobbing in silence. The sofa where he sat was made up
like a bed, complete with sheets, blankets, and pillows.

Claire walked around the sofa and met his
gaze, “Tony? Are you all right?”

She saw the amber liquid in his glass, his
vacant expression, and smelled the bourbon in the air. After his
dark eyes looked her up and down, he finally replied, “No.”

“
What’s this?” She
motioned toward the sofa. “Why aren’t you in bed with
me?”

“
I don’t trust
myself.”

Claire tilted her head sideways, “I trust
you...”

His stare looked through her, “I went in
there and kissed you. You were sound asleep.” Claire smiled, he
continued, “I watched you, saw your expression and your bruises.”
Claire flinched; she didn’t like her appearance. He grasped her
dangling hand. “Stop that.”

“
What?”

“
You’re
beautiful!”

She pulled her hand away, “I’ve seen me.
Beautiful isn’t a word I’d use.”

Tony leaned back and rubbed his face. With a
new focus, he demanded, “Take off my t-shirt.”

Claire stood taller. Her chin rose
indignantly. “Excuse me?”

He stood. His body towered over her as his
voice hardened, “Take off my shirt.”

“
Tony, I didn’t bring any
night clothes... I didn’t think you’d ...”

“
I don’t give a damn about
the shirt. I want to see you.”

Claire stammered. It’d been a while since
she’d experienced this domineering personality. “See me?”

“
I can see your face and
your legs... I want to see what that bastard did to
you.”

She reached for his hand and kept her voice
steady, “I’m fine, but I want you to come to bed...with me.”

His stoic expression remained, “I planned to
call for dinner. Instead, I found the bar. It’s been a rather
stressful few days.” Claire inched closer. His sudden grasp on her
shoulders stopped her progress. “I should never have let you return
to California.” Shaking his head, he released her, and stepped
backward. In a tone she remembered, he commanded, “I believe I’ve
said this more than once... take off the damn t-shirt.”

Her innate training prevailed; disobeying
wasn’t an option. She reached for the hem. Trembling, she lifted
the cotton above her head and exposed her battered body, covered
only by a pair of flesh-colored lace panties.

His hardened expression continued in
silence... until her trembling registered. Suddenly, he fell to his
knees and gently clutched her hips. His lips gently brushed her
stomach and tenderly caressed her battered mid-section. The
domineering voice disappeared; his actions spoke of love and
possession. Holding his head for support, her fingers wove through
his hair. Claire whispered, “Please, Tony, please, can we go to
bed?”

His lips continued to caress her bruised
body. Each kiss electrified her skin, melting her insides until her
legs turned to jelly. When her knees buckled, she knelt before him
and their eyes met.