Catherine had connected her with the perfect person to help her escape. This realization reinforced Claire’s steely determination. Stiffening her spine, she placed the car in park, grabbed the folder of information, the disposable cellphone, turned off the BMW, laid the key on the driver’s seat, locked and shut the car’s door.
A line of semi-trucks passed, blowing Claire’s hair and exposing her determined expression. She made her way toward Phil’s SUV. Over the rush of traffic she heard the click of the unlocking doors. Claire opened the passenger door and climbed into the seat beside her old bodyguard.
She was the first to speak, “I thought you worked for Tony.”
“I did. How do you think Ms. London found my name?”
Claire raised her eyebrows.
“He hasn’t needed me since you moved to Iowa.”
“How do I know you won’t tell him where I am?”
“Because, I work for money. According to Ms. London, once I get you to Geneva, you will pay me more to keep quiet. Secrets are my specialty.”
“And you can do this?” Claire asked as she felt the SUV ease back onto I 80.
“Oh, Ms. Nichols, my talents were wasted as your babysitter. I’m very capable.”
Claire looked at the man to her left. “Don’t you think you should call me Claire?”
He smiled, “Actually, no. You have new documents. Claire Nichols is gone.”
He handed her a stack of passports. Each folder contained the international document and a corresponding state issued driver’s license, each from different states. The documents and licenses held digitally enhanced pictures. They were all her, but not; in some she was blonde, some red headed, and others her hair was darker than normal – almost black. Upon further scrutinization she read her eye color also varied. “I understand how my hair can change, but how can my eye’s change?”
Phil pointed to the back seat. Claire picked up a small cosmetic case. Inside were multiple pairs of colored contact lenses. He took the next exit and turned around, heading the SUV east toward the rising sun. Claire reached into her purse for her sunglasses.
“We’ll need to get rid of your purse and the clothes you’re wearing.” He noticed the large stone on her left hand. “And that -- isn’t that the same ring you sold?”
She fought the tears that suddenly filled her eyes and nodded.
“Can you do this?” Phil asked.
She swallowed. “I don’t have a choice. Where are we going? Are you taking me back to Iowa City?” There was a hint of optimism in her voice.
“Cincinnati. You’re flying from Cincinnati to Florence later this afternoon.” He turned toward her. And although her gaze was out the side window, Phil could see her trembling shoulders. “We have to stop on the way so you can change your clothes and your hair.” He waited until the silence grew uncomfortable, “Unless you want to go back to Iowa City?”
Claire felt the movement of her baby inside of her. Her voice quivered, “No. This is something I need to do.” She reclined the seat and refused to turn toward Phil. “I think I’d like to rest while we drive to this hotel.” She knew he’d watched her for months. She remembered the note he sent the night Tony came to her hotel in San Diego. She couldn’t let him see the tears which refused to stay behind the Cartier sunglasses. He’d know immediately -- Iowa City was her destination of choice.
*****
There were so many things Sophia needed to do at her studio. An exhibit throws everything off kilter. Cassie, the assistant she hired to keep the Cape studio open while she was in California, was supposed to meet her at nine. Waking and sleeping at appropriate hours had never been Sophia’s gift. She was better of late, but the exhibit wore her out. When she rolled over and saw the bright Cape Cod sun streaming through her windows, she jumped from bed knowing she’d overslept.
It was a quarter after nine before she made her way out the door. Luckily, it wasn’t a long walk to the studio. Derek kept talking about her buying a bigger studio, but honestly, she was happy with the one her parents helped her start. As she closed her front door and breathed in the wonderful salt air, her purse began to vibrate. Immediately, she assumed it was Cassie wondering if she would make their meeting. Glancing at the screen of her phone, Sophia saw an unknown number with the Princeton, New Jersey, prefix. She hit: Answer.
“Mrs. Sophia Burke?”
“Yes, this is she.” The bright sunshine faded.
“Ms. Burke, I’m sorry to be making this call, but a blue Camry was discovered this morning. We don’t know the cause of the accident, but we believe both of your parents were discovered within the car. It may have been due to wet leaves. We had a hard rain here last night. Or with the year of your parent’s car, it could be an acceleration issue. Their car hit a tree. The coroner believes they both died instantly. We need you to travel to New Jersey to identify the bodies.”
Sophia collapsed onto the steps of her cottage as the tears grew and sobs formed in her chest. Her mind tried to process. She managed to speak, “Okay, I can do that.”
“Visible identification will be difficult. We were hoping for familiar DNA.”
“I’m sorry. That won’t work. I’m adopted.”
“Are there any other siblings?”
“No, I’m an only child.”
“Perhaps you will be able to identify their belongings.”
“I will be there as soon as I can.” Her mind tried to process, “Can you tell me who was driving?”
“It was your father, Mrs. Burke. May I ask why you’re asking?”
“Curiosity, Officer, perhaps shock.”
“I understand. Please ask for me, Officer McPherson, when you arrive.”
“I will. Thank you.” Sophia disconnected the call and called Derek’s international phone.
Although she knew it would be best to claim an acceleration problem or possibly wet leaves as the officer suggested, Sophia knew that wasn’t the cause. Officer McPherson said Pop was driving. Why hadn’t her mom listened? Sophia pleaded with her to take away Pop’s keys. It wasn’t his fault. Not really, yet Sophia knew in her heart, it was. What would she do without them?
*****
The mid-morning sun moved higher as Tony’s private plane touched down in Iowa. After the call from Clay he cut his European trip short and immediately headed home. If someone tried to push Claire off the road, he needed to be there. Tony tried Claire’s phone again. No answer. He hadn’t been able to reach her since the near accident, even her voicemail wouldn’t activate.
Getting into the car, he tried Catherine’s phone. When the line connected, Tony couldn’t comprehend Catherine’s words, “What do you mean she left yesterday and hasn’t come back? How could she leave without Clay?”
“She said she was tired of the constant surveillance and needed a break.”
“When? Why haven’t you called me or the police?”
Catherine tried to justify her reasoning, “Yesterday evening... I assumed she’d be back. It wasn’t until this morning we realized she never returned. You were in the air; I couldn’t reach you. I haven’t called the police; what was I supposed to say? A twenty-nine year old woman drove away on her own and now I can’t reach her? Once Clay learned she’d disappeared, he followed the GPS. Your car was just located outside Des Moines... Anton, I’m so sorry. I truly thought she would return after she got her break. You know how the hormones are making her emotional. I’m very worried.”