Truth (43 page)

Harry previously accused Claire of being
distant regarding her past. If that were true, he was in another
state. Until this morning, he’d kept his personal past hidden. Even
Amber hadn’t mentioned anything.

After their morning’s use of Harry’s last
condom, he wheeled the cart with coffee into the bedroom. Sitting
on the bed, sipping coffee, wrapped only in a sheet with Harry once
again dressed felt absolutely licentious. Despite all they’d done,
the decadence was stimulating. She remembered peering at him over
the rim of her coffee mug, secretly wishing he had more silver
packets, and knowing their daily coffee chats would never be the
same. She listened as Harry offered a small glimpse into his
history:

He only had, had two
serious relationships. He acknowledged other sexual encounters, but
there were only two he considered
girlfriends
. One started in college
and lasted three years. Claire listened, thinking that was longer
than her time with Tony. The most recent lasted about a year and a
half and ended a few months before Claire arrived in Palo
Alto.

At first it surprised Claire she didn’t know
any of this. Then she realized how little she knew about Harry’s
past. He’d been very forthcoming regarding his work at SiJo and
previous police work. But that was all in relation to his
investigating skills with Tony.

This morning he told her about regular
medical care and his belief that he was healthy and free of all
communicable diseases. He even offered to have a routine check if
it would ease Claire’s mind. He winked and his blue eyes twinkled
when he mentioned with a clean bill of health and her on the pill,
they could avoid the bothersome condoms. While Claire appreciated
his candor, she wondered if this was what dating had become, the
exchange of medical records. It wasn’t like she ever had a chance
to consider that with Tony. And she had seen a doctor in prison,
without a doubt, her medical record was clear. The pill -- that was
something worth considering.

As he volunteered a larger glimpse of his
personal history, Claire wondered why she’d felt the pressing need
to share her past despite knowing so little of his. She reasoned it
was due to his help researching Tony’s past. After all, Harry
hadn’t asked Claire to investigate his ex-girlfriend.

It was the name of Harry’s
most recent
girlfriend
which caused Claire to twinge. She wasn’t sure what it meant.
Could it be jealousy? She didn’t think so. However, not only had
she met his ex, she’d talked with her. Now the more recent coolness
she’d noticed from Amber’s personal assistant made sense: only
months before, Harry and Liz had cohabitated.

“
Do you find it weird
working with her every day?” Claire asked.

“
No. It’s over. We both
know it. Besides she’s great at what she does.”
Wow, that was an open ended statement
, Claire thought. “And Amber doesn’t want to lose her, just
because we had a thing.”

“
That’s incredibly mature.
Does she feel the same?”

“
Well, I think so,” he
shrugged. “We haven’t talked about it.” Looking closely over the
rim of his mug with a look of disgust, he added, “Not everyone
hires private detectives to follow their ex’s every
move.”

That reminded Claire of Phil’s secret
message from the night before. With everything else, she’d actually
forgotten. Harry’s eyes widened with curiosity when she told him
about the wine delivery and the note.

Taking her empty cup, Harry kissed her nose
and said, “My, your list of admirers continues to grow. How did I
end up being the one to stay the night?”

The idea of Tony or Phil staying made Claire
uncomfortable. Mostly because she’d fantasized about one and hardly
knew the other. But Harry’s tone made the blood rush again to her
cheeks. She couldn’t believe she was blushing like a school girl.
“Lucky, I guess, Mr. Baldwin.”

“
I would have to agree.”
His smile warmed her.

They also talked about her
last night in San Diego. Despite Mr. Rawlings’
request (more of a mandate
, Claire
thought), to stop her discussions with Meredith, she had a
scheduled meeting and planned to keep it. She planned to do what
she’d told Tony -- go on with the interviews but halt production.
Recounting the sickening feeling of fear for Harry, Amber, John,
and Emily, she believed this might just be the ticket to keep them
safe. However, she did worry about Meredith’s reaction.
Undoubtedly, she would want her article or articles published,
preferably sooner than later.

Harry asked, “So would you mind company for
the rest of your stay? I’ll make myself scarce while you and
Meredith are working.” Claire smiled and remained silent. She liked
his requests. They were so much nicer than decrees. Harry
continued, “I think with all of your visitors, I should stay... for
your safety.”

“
Didn’t you say Tony’s
plane went back to Iowa?”

“
Yes.” He hesitated and
then asked, “Does that mean your answer’s
no
?”

“
It means you need a
better reason.” Her eyes twinkled.

“
How about, I want
to?”

“
That works for me. But
maybe you could...” She raised her eyebrows.

This time his cheeks reddened, “Yes, I was
thinking a stop at the drug store was in order.” Claire didn’t
respond verbally, she just nodded.

*****

The vibration of her
iPhone, against the glass surface of the small table, pulled Claire
from her memories. She read the screen:
TONY CELL
.

Turn your face to the sun
and the shadows
fall behind you.
-
Charlotte Whitton

Chapter
27

TONY CELL,
Claire read the words from her iPhone. She wanted
to be the one to call him, but her memories faded into dreams as
she lay on the sunlit lounge chair. Mindlessly, she realized her
plate was gone and her tea was full. The vibration and ringing
confirmed her earlier concern; Tony or Shelly must’ve seen
Meredith’s blog. Claire knew she needed to meet his confrontation
head-on. If she didn’t, she risked him flying back to San Diego.
And seeing as how her sleeping situation had recently changed, that
wouldn’t be good. After the fifth ring she squared her shoulders
and swiped the screen.

“
Hello, Tony.”

“
Claire.”

She couldn’t determine his mood by his
one-word response. “To what do I owe this honor? First a visit --
now a call.” Claire tried in vain to sound nonchalant.

“
It seems that your
friend
blogged about
your impending disclosure.”

“
Yes, I read
that.”

“
We discussed this
yesterday. I was under the impression we’d reached an
agreement.”

Claire reached up and touched the pearl
dangling daintily from her neck. “As I recall our agreement states
the articles won’t be printed, unless something happens to me or
someone associated with me.” She attempted to maintain her
businesslike tone. “I said I would go on with the interviews.”

Sarcastically he asked, “Tell me Claire, do
you expect bodyguards for everyone? I’ll need a list of names.”

She shook her head, “I expect distance and
respect.”

“
And I expect my
directives to be followed.” Claire recognized the change in Tony’s
tone. It was harder with increased volume. “Her blog no longer
exists.”

“
That’s unreasonable.” She
replied, “She didn’t know anything about your directive. I haven’t
had the chance to speak with her.”

“
That’s your undoing, not
mine.”

“
Actually, I beg to
differ. I was upset by your visit last night, more accurately by
your gift. Instead of calling, I fell asleep. By the time I woke,
she wasn’t available and the blog was viral.” As Claire spoke, she
powered-up her iPad and searched for Meredith’s blog. The web
address she’d used earlier was met with the Error Response:
Server not found
. “Shit,
Tony, what have you done?”

“
I believe I presented you
with a sign of commitment, and now I have presented you with a
warning. Following my rules isn’t optional. I expect you to
remember that, if you want your
requests
to be
considered.”

Claire’s blood boiled. She remembered his
rules and his redundant lectures regarding those rules. However, as
much as she wanted to argue and fight, she wanted her loved ones
safe, and John’s law license reinstated. With great effort,
Claire’s voice strained with projected compliance, “I will speak
with Meredith this evening. Nothing more will appear in print or
on-line as long as people stay safe and John gets his license.”

“
Your second request will
take some time.”

“
Tony, it wasn’t a
request.”

“
Your bravado is
appreciated, but I won’t be swindled. I don’t make mistakes or
unsubstantiated threats. It would do you well to keep that in
mind.”

“
From business metaphors
to chess, the thing is, for a swindle to have occurred I would need
to be losing. On the contrary, I’m in California and you’re in
Iowa. I would say I have the initiative.”

“
Well, I see your
weakness, your
hole
, and I’m confident that you’ll blunder. The queen will be
mine.”

“
Yes, I know the term.
Now, didn’t you tell me last night that I continually exceed your
expectations?” She didn’t wait for a response. “I think you’ve
forgotten -- to win at the game of chess it isn’t the queen you
seek, but the king.”

“
You may consider
Meredith’s blog to be a gambit, but I doubt she shares your point
of view. I look forward to the end-game.”

Claire sighed, “I will talk with her
tonight.”

“
By the way, I like the
black bathing suit, but I’d prefer it here at the estate where it
wouldn’t be seen by as many people.”

Her head darted from side
to side. Behind the trunk of a palm tree, under the shade of an
umbrella she saw Phillip. “Good-bye, Tony.” She disconnected the
line, before he could comment. She stood and made her way toward
Phil’s umbrella; they needed to
talk
.

The late afternoon temperature was perfect.
The low humidity combined with a light breeze made the pool oasis a
haven for relaxation. However, as Claire approached Philip Roach,
his expression looked anything but relaxed.

She didn’t ask permission to sit in the
chair next to his, she just did.

His voice was curt, “Ms. Nichols, I thought
we weren’t to know one another. Can I assume we’re being
photographed?”

“
I was about to ask you
the same thing.” Holding up her phone Claire continued, “It seems
my ex-husband is receiving up to the minute updates. He even knows
what I’m wearing.”

“
What can I say, I have a
job. I do it.”

“
Then tell me what last
night’s note was all about.”

Phil looked away. Eventually the enticement
to see Claire sitting next to him, in nothing but her black bikini,
was too strong. He returned her gaze. Mindlessly he wished she
wasn’t wearing the large sunglasses. He so rarely was able to look
at her this close. He wanted to see her eyes. Finally he responded
to her question, “It was a display of unwise judgment.”

“
Unwise?” Her voice
softened, “I thought it was kind.”

“
Well, Ms. Nichols, I’m
not paid to be kind. I suppose I momentarily forgot my place in
this equation.”

Her anger regarding Tony’s
knowledge of her attire faded. She gently touched Phil’s
outstretched leg and said, “Thank you. He
was
upset when he arrived.” She
smirked, “He’s not too happy right now. But he calmed last night,
he’ll calm again.”

“
You seem to have an
uncanny ability. My concerns were unfounded.”

“
No Phillip, your concerns
were admirable. Thank you.”

He nodded.

Claire went on, trying to give Phillip some
sense of understanding. “This is nothing but a game to Mr.
Rawlings. Unfortunately for me, he has the ability and resources to
keep the game going into untold overtime. And you are a piece of
that game.”

“
Game? That wasn’t the
impression I’ve received.”

“
It’s like chess. I make a
move, he makes a move. Eventually one of us will declare
check-mate.”

“
From my short experience,
I believe you’re a worthy opponent.”

“
You see, that’s where I’m
confused. Sometimes I think I’m an opponent. Other times I think he
believes I’m the prize. Thing is, I’m not interested in being a
prize.”

“
Maybe instead of chess,
it is archery. And you, Ms. Nichols, are the target.”

She pondered his observation. That scenario
would take more consideration. She asked, “By the way, what
happened to you at that French restaurant?”

“
I had an offer I couldn’t
refuse.”

Claire nodded. “Thank you again for your
concern. I’m in hope of you being dismissed soon, but I doubt that
will happen. And at this time I don’t want to break in another
bodyguard. So I’ll leave you to your work.”