Consequences (72 page)

Her only choice was ignorance. “I don’t know. The sky was so pretty and Iowa can get so gray. I guess I just wanted to go somewhere warmer.”

“Mrs. Rawlings, you should know your husband will survive.” Agent Ferguson’s tone was flat.

Claire didn’t understand,
survive?
Like he would crumble because she left him? “I’m not sure what you mean. Why wouldn’t he survive?”

“Mrs. Rawlings, someone tried to kill your husband today. He was poisoned at approximately eleven fifteen this morning.” Agent Ferguson answered as Sergeant Miles observed Claire.

She shook her head, trying to make sense of his words. But they didn’t make sense. Tony was fine when she left, same as always. “You are mistaken. Mr. Rawlings had a web conference at eleven, where he was speaking with many people from his corporation.” Her speech quickened as did her heart rate.

“Yes, he was supposed to be. However, after the web conference began, his associates witnessed him take a drink from a mug and suddenly slump to his side. Many of the viewers attempted to reach him via cell phone, but he didn’t move. Luckily, one of the house staff heard the phones ringing and entered the office. They were able to fly him by helicopter to a hospital in Iowa City. His vitals are good, although he has yet to regain consciousness. The doctors believe he will make a full recovery. I am here representing the FBI because this is an attempted murder investigation which has crossed state lines.” Agent Ferguson spoke as if he was addressing a suspect.

“I need to get to him immediately.” Claire stood as she spoke. Sergeant Miles directed her back toward the chair. She was dumbfounded. “I’m sorry, are you accusing me of murdering my husband?”

“No, ma’am. Your husband wasn’t murdered. You are being questioned regarding an
attempted
murder investigation.”

She was stunned. “You are accusing
me
of hurting
him
? You should know no one hurts Anthony Rawlings. If anything he has hurt me, numerous times.”

“So are you claiming self-defense?”

Claire’s neck stiffened and her voice became defiant. “I’m not claiming anything. I did nothing that needs claiming.”

“Mrs. Rawlings, do you have any idea what was in the mug that your husband drank from?” She knew exactly what was in that mug: coffee, made by her.

“Yes, officer. I would assume that the mug contained coffee. Just before I left, I took him a cup of coffee.” Her stomach was now a tangle of knots.

“You and your husband don’t have household servants that usually prepare the food and drinks?”

“We do. But he asked me to get him coffee.” Claire definitely didn’t like how this was going. “I believe I need an attorney.”

“Ma’am, you haven’t yet been charged. However, asking for representation is your right. Be aware that your husband’s legal staff has sent word that representing you would be a conflict of interest. You will need to secure your own counsel.”

“I would like to call John Vandersol, my brother-in-law.” As the words left her mouth she remembered, “No, wait. I can’t.”

Another officer entered the room and began to talk with Sergeant Miles. After the two whispered, Miles spoke. “Mrs. Claire Rawlings, my commanding officer has informed me that the prosecuting attorney of Iowa City believes there is enough circumstantial evidence to hold you in this facility overnight and transport you back to Iowa City in the morning. The chief prosecutor of Iowa believes he will have an official warrant for your arrest signed by the judge by the time you arrive.”

Claire heard the words but couldn’t comprehend their meaning. Her internal voice tried to replay the day:
I
dressed
in
what
I
was
told,
was
in
Tony’s
office
at
the
time
he
told
me
to
be,
and
asked
like
a
five-year-old
if
I
could
go
outside.
This
morning
I
poured
my
husband
a
cup
of
coffee,
the
coffee
he
asked
me
to
get.
Now
I
am
about
to
be
charged
with
attempted
murder?

Another officer directed Claire to a cell. It was small, clean, and had a door that locked. She couldn’t sleep. She worried about Tony. There was no one at home that morning except them and the regular staff. Everyone had been with Tony for years and he implicitly trusted them. None of them would hurt him. She worried, had he regained consciousness? Was the poison in the coffee in the pot? Maybe it was in the cream? She wanted them to try to find the
real
criminal
before he tried to hurt Tony again. Claire knew when he regained consciousness he would tell them she didn’t, couldn’t do this, and take her home.

No
one
can
make
you
feel
inferior
without
your
permission.

—Eleanor Roosevelt

 Chapter 48

Yesterday Claire drove in a luxurious Mercedes Benz all the way to St. Louis. The trip back to Iowa City wasn’t as comfortable. She rode in the back of a police wagon, wearing handcuffs and accompanied by a uniformed officer. The county courthouse steps were filled with reporters and photographers. She tried to shield her face. People were taking pictures from all directions and shouting questions: “Why did you try to kill your husband? Did you do it for the money? Did you think you would get away with it?” The police rushed her through the crowd and into the building.

She heard their words with disbelief. How could they possibly be asking such questions? Claire worried about Emily
.
First John, now her, what must she be going through? Claire reassured herself once Tony woke up he would take care of everything.

The officer took Claire to another room with a table. Marcus Evergreen entered. She recognized him immediately. He had attended her wedding and she accompanied Tony to one of his fund-raisers. Claire thought Tony donated to his campaign. “Mrs. Rawlings, I am Marcus Evergreen, chief prosecutor for Johnson County.”

“Yes, Mr. Evergreen, I believe we have met.” Claire held out her hand. Mr. Evergreen didn’t accept it.

“Yes, I believe we have. This, however, is a different situation. Mrs. Rawlings, I am currently holding a warrant for your arrest recently signed by Judge Reynolds. Just so you know, before we reach the district courtroom for your arraignment, you are being charged with the
attempted
murder
of
your
husband,
Anthony
Rawlings
.”

“I want you to know I didn’t do such a thing. I wouldn’t do such a thing. How is Tony?” When Claire added the last question, Mr. Evergreen’s eyes dropped to the table. Claire’s heart sank.
Oh
my
god,
he’s
dead!
No,
then
he
would
have
said
“murder,”
not
“attempted.”

“He is awake and conscious. He has given a statement to the police but will not be here today.”

Claire was relieved to hear he was conscious, but she
needed
him to be here. He would help her and take her home. She wanted to explain things to him. He would be upset about the leaving and driving. There would be consequences, but he would know she would
never
try to kill him.

“I am very happy he is better. Can you tell me what evidence there is against me?” Claire didn’t know how this worked, but she thought she needed to find out.

“It will be discussed with you and your attorney after the arraignment.” He left the room.

With her wrists once again in handcuffs, Claire was led into the courtroom. She watched the proceedings from a distance, seeing it all, yet not comprehending it as reality. Judge Reynolds spoke, asking questions of Mr. Evergreen. He explained that
the
state
believed it had sufficient evidence to
prove
beyond
a
reasonable
doubt
that Mrs. Claire Rawlings did willfully and maliciously attempt to murder her husband Anthony Rawlings in an effort to profit financially. Furthermore, Mrs. Rawlings fled the scene of the crime and was found near St. Louis. Mrs. Rawlings had access to a passport and the financial ability to flee. Mr. Evergreen asked the judge to suspend bail.

Judge Reynolds said, “Mrs. Rawlings, do you understand that you are being charged with a felony, attempted murder? And if convicted you could be sentenced to a federal penitentiary for a length not to exceed 162 months?”

“Yes, Judge, I understand.” That wasn’t true—she didn’t understand.

“Are you aware that you have the right to an attorney? If you cannot afford one, one can be appointed for you. You also have the right to a trial by a jury of your peers. You also are presumed innocent. It is the burden of the state to prove your guilt. Do you understand your rights?”

“Yes, Judge, I understand.” Claire maintained eye contact with the bench. She had lots of practice maintaining eye contact in difficult situations.

“Mrs. Rawlings, do you have an attorney?”

“No, Judge, I do not. And I cannot afford one.”

“The court will appoint one to you following the arraignment.” Judge Reynolds reviewed the file before her. “Due to the publicity and significance of the victim, I am setting bond at 5 million dollars. I am also scheduling a preliminary conference for eleven days from today, Tuesday, February 1. Next case . . .” Her gavel struck the bench, echoing throughout the courtroom.

A guard escorted Claire to a holding cell. She sat in the ten-by-seven cube waiting for her attorney. The seclusion should have upset her, but she was too confused to focus. They said that once her attorney arrived her bond could be posted and she could leave. Claire knew that wasn’t going to happen. She didn’t have enough money for a sandwich at McDonald’s much less 2.5 million dollars for bond.

It was after 3:00 p.m. before she was once again taken to the small table room. A short while later the door opened and a young man, Paul Task, entered, carrying a briefcase, laptop, and wearing a cheap suit. Claire’s first thought was that he looked more like a high school student than an attorney. “Hello, Mrs. Rawlings, I am your attorney Paul Task. I just want you to know that I am so honored to work on your case. Mr. Rawlings has long been an inspiration to us in Iowa City. Everyone has so much respect for him. Why did you try to kill him? Was it because you don’t have a prenuptial agreement? I mean, for the money?”

“
No
! I didn’t do this. It is a terrible misunderstanding. I know that once my husband is better he will help me. He knows I wouldn’t do this to him.”

“Yes, of course, Mrs. Rawlings—”

After Mr. Task informed the court that Mrs. Rawlings wouldn’t be able to post bond, she was officially charged with a felony. They took her personal property, her jewelry and clothes. They took her picture, her fingerprints, and did a chemical test on her hands. A female officer offered her a prison jumpsuit, underwear, and a bra. Claire accepted it all.