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.