Claire pointed to the house phone. “Would you call for some dinner? I have many questions and would prefer to not spend this evening in public.” She softened her tone, “If that is all right with my husband?”
Phil smiled, “That’s fine. I enjoy the privacy.”
Claire smiled a tired smile. She was suddenly exhausted, mentally and physically drained.
After their dinner arrived, Phil and Claire settled onto the wrought iron table on the balcony. She needed more answers before she could decide her future or that of her child’s. Their discussion continued as the shadows turned to twilight and darkness prevailed. Though sitting in the center of nature’s beauty, Geneva’s abundant artificial radiance impeded the stars. Manufactured glitter extended everywhere, even onto Lake Geneva as the reflection added illumination to the night.
Phil informed Claire, “Due to your family’s insistence, Mr. Rawlings is currently being pursued by the police and media as a person of interest in your disappearance.”
Claire frowned, “That wasn’t supposed to happen. If anyone should be considered a person of interest, it should be the person who sent me the scary things and tried to run Clay off the road.”
Phil looked at Claire quizzically, “Well, that would make it difficult for me to help you, then. Wouldn’t it?”
Her hand suddenly trembled as she sat her water glass upon the table and stared. “What are you saying?”
Phil saw Claire’s sudden fear and casually covered her hand, “I never intended to hurt you.”
Her eyes widened as she retrieved her hand, “I don’t understand?”
“Claire, Ms. London said you were involved. It all led to this escape. I would never have sent those awful packages or pushed your car if I didn’t think you were behind it.”
“Did Ms. London explain my plan when you delivered the laptop?”
“Well, afterwards. I received text messages telling me to travel around and mail different things. She was very specific about what to do.” Claire’s complexion paled as she listened to Catherine’s complex scheme -- one that reduced both her and Tony to pawns in the ongoing game of chess.
“So, you had no intentions of hurting me or my baby?”
Wrinkles surrounded Phil’s hazel eyes. “I work for money. However, I believe I’ve already revealed my true feelings on this subject,” his eyebrows rose, “in San Diego?”
Claire held her breath.
He once again covered her hand, “I’d never hurt you.”
She exhaled. Patrick Chester didn’t have an accomplice. The sudden relief was intoxicating. Her expression mellowed. Instantaneously, the relief evaporated. There was another culprit -- one Claire would have willingly allowed total access to her child. The thought nauseated her. Could Catherine have made Nathaniel the same promise Tony made to him?
If she did, now that she no longer needed Tony to keep Patrick Chester silent, wasn’t Tony too a child, of a child? After all, Samuel helped convict Nathaniel...Catherine killed Samuel...Tony is Samuel’s son. Everything was coming together...
Claire leaned closer -- their faces only inches apart. “Phil, thank you.”
“For what?”
“For what you’re about to do. I promise – I’ll make it worth your while.”
His hazel eyes questioned, “The next step is getting you settled.”
Claire turned her hand palm up and closed her fingers around his. She inhaled and exhaled as a devious smile overtook her face. “Senior Alexander, let’s enjoy the beautiful view and discuss the next step.”
Her plan shocked, surprised, and disappointed Phil. She truly was much smarter than he’d initially given her credit. Now with the fortune she’d successfully acquired, the combination was impressive. And although his role was different than what he’d hoped, he was more than willing to accommodate.
Phil said, “I don’t think you should stay here too long. Where do you want to go?”
With her tired eyes lingering on the vista before her, she thoughtfully replied, “Back to Italy, I’ve been thinking about Venice. I’ve never been.”
“Then let’s decide on a hotel. I’ll meet you there in a week. By that time, I should have more information and some permanent destinations for you. Tell me your requirements again.”
Claire shifted and met his expectant gaze. “You’re worried about my plan, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I’ll feel better when you’re settled and safe.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to know someone’s worried about me.” She said as she sipped her iced water.
“There’re many people back in the states worried about you.”
Claire sat tall, her expression strong. She couldn’t allow herself to think about those people, not yet. Now that she knew the truth... she was the one putting them through hell, not Tony, not Catherine. Nevertheless, it was Catherine’s impending hell that forced her moves. Placing her hand on her mid-section, she knew winning this game was truly the difference between life and death.
If she was a child of a child, and Tony was a child of a child... their baby was doubly doomed.
Her voice held no hint of emotion. “I like tropical, secluded, and remote. I truly don’t care about amenities. Just give me warmth, water, and sunshine.” She gazed over Lake Geneva and turned back to Phil, “And medical care needs to be accessible.”
Claire looked at her watch, 12:02 AM. She glanced to Phil, “I’m going to do it.”
He nodded. “It’s a little after five there, Wednesday evening... he may not be in his office.”
“I have to try.” Claire rose and went into the suite. Her disposable international phone was on the table. She reached for it and called information in Iowa City. “I need the office number for the Prosecutor for Iowa City, please.” Moments later, “I would like to speak to Marcus Evergreen.” “I’m sure he’ll talk with me.” “Tell him it’s an out of work weather girl.” Claire waited a moment and then smiled at Phil. Her heartbeat quickened.
For the first time she could see the entire game board, a few more moves and her opponent would be in check. Her call was being forwarded...
The voice came through the receiver, “Hello? This is Marcus Evergreen.”
“Mr. Evergreen, I was wondering if perhaps this time you’d be willing to listen to the truth?”
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered.
The trick is to discover them.
- Gallolao
Chapter 59
Claire Nichols, missing for over two weeks...
Tony settled into his plush leather chair. Perhaps because of the chaos happening around him or his desire to be away from people, his home office was the only place he could truly concentrate. He made daily appearances at his Iowa City office, but all traveling had been postponed, indefinitely. So far, none of the thousands of tips produced any clues into Claire’s disappearance. Tony rubbed his temples; it was as if she evaporated into thin air... like every hope or dream he’d ever had for his future.
He didn’t want to believe she chose to leave him. Yet, on another level, he did. If she left of her own free will, she was safe. Their baby was safe. If, as he suspected, she’d been lured away and was at the hands of some maniac, her future and that of their baby’s were unknown.