*****
To: Anthony Rawlings
From: Phillip Roach
Date: June 8, 2013
Re: Ms. Nichols
I have confirmed with security at Ms. Nichol’s condominium, her unit was indeed breached. It was not until the perpetrator was leaving her unit that security devises indicated a violation. That means it is safe to assume, since her room was the only one manhandled, she was indeed the target. Until Ms. Nichols can confirm, the only item taken was her laptop.
According to the records of my indicators, the front door to her condo was opened Friday, June 7, at 8:15, the violation was noted when the door once again opened at 8:27 pm. Security cameras do not show a clear picture of the person in question. It appears to be a man who is bald or balding. I will increase my surveillance and report any suspicious activity.
Please confirm the time and place of her arrival. I know her reservations have been changed. I look forward to the new times and places. Thank you.
*****
The guests began to thin, when Tony suggested they head back to the estate. Claire hated leaving Courtney, Brent, and her other friends. She didn’t know when she would see them again. Of course, since she and Tony were in the midst of reconciliation, she couldn’t voice her concerns. Instead, she smiled politely and warmly offered her farewells.
Once they were alone in the seclusion of Tony’s car, Claire settled against the soft seat and thought fondly about her day. Her mind went from the breakfast on the patio, to driving Tony’s car, coffee with Sean and Sue, her return to the estate and their mutual physical admiration, poolside, the wedding, and finally the reception. Each scene filled her with hope, with promise of what could be.
These thoughts kept her from talking and overpowered her consciousness. She was mindlessly lost when Tony asked, “Have you spoken to anyone from Palo Alto lately?”
Her insides clenched with apprehension. She didn’t like discussing Harry and Amber with Tony. “I haven’t even looked at my phone since we left for the wedding. Why? Has something else happened?”
“Not to my knowledge. However, my source tells me the intruder to your unit was not interrupted. His only intention was to access your room and take your laptop.”
Her world of happiness and hope evaporated, “Why would anyone want my laptop?”
“What was on it?”
Claire considered the contents of her hard drive. “I don’t know, my bank accounts, my travel itinerary, information about your past, and a rough draft from Meredith about her bo... articles.”
Tony’s knuckles blanched as he gripped the stirring wheel. “I thought this stupid Meredith Banks thing was over?”
“It is. With the money you gave me, to give her – she’ll keep it quiet, unless, as you and I decided, something happens to me or someone I care about.”
After taking a deep breath Tony asked, “What do you have regarding my past?”
Claire sat straighter, “Seriously, I’ve spent so much time on this, it’s hard to condense it into an elevator pitch.”
With the eerie green of the dashboard, his black eyes transcended the darkness. “Give it a try. I’m sure you can do it.”
Claire inhaled, “Fine. I confirmed Nathaniel and Sharron Rawls had a son named Samuel. He married a woman named Amanda; they had a son name Anton, born February 12, 1965, the same day as you. That plus a picture in Newsweek showing your grandfather’s home confirmed to me that you are indeed Anton.”
“Well, you know that’s true. Why are you continuing this research?”
“I really don’t want to discuss this... please?”
“Despite your suspicions, I had nothing to do with the break-in. I need to know what the perpetrator now knows.”
“My computer is password protected. No one besides me can access it.”
Tony’s ambivalent expression spoke volumes regarding her secure laptop.
Finally she said, “Obviously you disagree. If someone is able to access my information, there are documents and reports from your parents’ death.”
For a moment, Claire feared their future. Tony seemed unable to peer forward although the Mercedes cruised that direction at unknown speeds. His eyes bore into her soul. “What possible business of yours is my parents’ death?”
Claire straightened defiantly, “I suppose before it was morbid curiosity. I wanted to know if you were truly capable of hurting your own parents. Now – however --” she hesitated and sat straighter, defiantly, “now it is very much my business. I need to know about my child’s family history.”
The tenseness in Tony’s strong shoulders eased. “I suppose that’s correct.” In a moonlit glow, the countryside continued to pass outside the windows. Tony confessed, “I did not harm my parents.”
Claire reached for him, covering his hand with the warmth of hers, “I know that now. I’ve known for a while it wasn’t you; it was a woman in a blue Honda.” Claire felt the atmosphere within the car tighten. She went on, “Whoever that woman is -- you have been protecting her for years.”
“Protecting her?”
“Yes, whoever she is, you’ve kept her secret secure.”
It felt as if Tony were wrestling with himself, wanting to ask more questions, yet not wanting to divulge more information. After a moment he asked, “So all of this is on your laptop?”
Claire nodded, “Yes.”
They drove in silence until Tony said, “I want you to seriously reconsider your return flight. The estate is much safer and more secure than a condominium which has already been broken into.”
Claire squeezed his knee. “I’ve had a wonderful time. Please don’t ruin it. Let’s please take all of this one day at a time? I’d like to think about tonight now and tomorrow later.”
His grip loosened upon the innocent wheel as he contemplated her words.
When they reached Tony’s estate, he left the Mercedes sitting in front of the steps, gallantly opened Claire’s door, and kissed her hand. Earlier, in the dashboard light she’d watched the man she’d once loved fight his emotions. The intensity in his black eyes and grip upon the soft leather steering wheel no longer frightened her. Hadn’t Catherine asked her to see how hard he is trying? Claire did. And now, that same gorgeous man had her hand at his lips with an equal but different intensity in his gaze. The aura surrounding them wasn’t about laptops or airplane tickets but about pure and simple desire. She could over analyze; however, the way his lips electrified her skin and melted her insides, nullified any arguments she could form.
They walked hand in hand into the house. At the base of the grand staircase, Tony hesitantly whispered, “I suppose this is good-night?”
She stretched her toes allowing her lips to linger on his. When she pulled away, she suckled his neck, just above his perfectly starched collar. Tony’s grasp of her small waist tightened as a low groan escaped his clenched teeth. “That’s up to you.” Claire purred, “I don’t plan on using that lock.”
With their fingers entwined, they made their way toward her suite. At the door, Tony stopped to kiss the woman before him. “There is more for us to discuss....”