Truth (74 page)

He looked at her, questioning, “Yes?”

“
I think I’d like to share
something with Catherine, but not without you.”

His features softened as a glow overtook his
face.

“
Catherine, I suggest you
sit.” Tony suggested.

She did. And although her expression
revealed alarm or suspense, she didn’t speak.

Claire reached into her pocket, removed
their baby’s picture, and handed it to Catherine. The woman took
the ultrasound picture and stared. Finally her eyes widened and for
the second time, Claire saw tears form on her lids. “You are
pregnant?” She asked Claire, who nodded in response. Then turning
to Tony and seeing his proud expression, Catherine continued, “The
two of you?” She sprang from the sofa and embraced Claire. “Oh my,
a Rawls - Nichols baby. I can’t believe it.”

Claire allowed herself to
be swallowed by Catherine’s embrace. Looking to Tony she was
instantly surprised by his expression. The smile that was present
only seconds ago was gone.
Why is he
glaring?
Claire wondered.
She’s happy – what’s his problem?

Claire and Tony decided to spend a few hours
at the pool while they waited for dinner. With the rising humidity,
the tepid water felt wonderfully refreshing. When Claire wasn’t
submerged, she sat with her feet dangling in the cool blue liquid
and enjoyed the view of Tony swimming the length of the pool and
back. His strong arms fanned outward as he pushed against the
water. The muscles in his back, shoulders, and arms defined with
each stroke.

In the light of the sun,
Claire noticed a few renegade gray hairs in Tony’s black mane. She
thought it made him look distinguished. However, with his
recent
age
comment, she chose not to mention them. When he surfaced at
her feet, she giggled as he pretended to pull her into the water.
Just when she thought she was safe, he stood and scooped her into
his arms. All of her squealing was to no avail.

After a few playful moments of feigned
fighting, she relaxed, and floated in his arms. The sun bathed her
exposed skin as he supported her shoulders and legs. His words were
a statement, intended as a question, “I want to show you
something.”

“
I’m curious.” She asked
with a seductive smile. “Is it something I’ve seen
before?”

He returned her sparkling gaze, “Yes, but
not what you’re thinking.”

It was her turn to raise an eyebrow. He led
her up the steps and out of the pool. The afternoon heat made for a
smooth transition from water to air. The breeze only dried their
skin as they walked to one of the umbrella tables. Sitting knee to
knee, Tony reached into the pocket of his bathing suit. Claire
gasped as her eyes adjusted to the umbrella’s shadow. In Tony’s
outstretched palm, sparkling in the reflection of the June
brilliance was Claire’s engagement ring, the one she sold.

Only her eyes moved as she
looked from his hand to his face.
Was he
mad? What was he going to say? How did he get it?
So many thoughts assaulted her mind. His true
intent was not even on her radar.

Despite her concerns, his expression seemed
soft-- almost fearful.

“
Tony, how did
you...?”

“
I bought them
back.”

Her stomach twisted, “I’m sorry. I needed
money....’

He interrupted, “If I gave them back, will
you promise not to sell them?”

“
Why would you give them
back?” she asked in all sincerity.

“
Do I need to get on one
knee? I suppose I didn’t do that the first time.”

She stood suddenly and backed away, almost
tripping over the heavy iron chair. If she’d made him speechless
with her pregnancy announcement, he’d certainly returned the favor
with his proposal. Finally, as her eyes remained large, she said,
“No, I’m not ready for anything like that.”

His eyes dropped. “No, never – or no, not
yet.”

She saw his pain and
instinctively moved forward. Kneeling before him, she said, “Tony,
slow down. I told you, I like the dating thing... we never did
that. Please don’t push too hard. In the last week we’ve survived a
major game changer. I think we need to proceed with
caution.”
Everyone knows the game of chess
requires planning and strategizing. Making moves too quickly often
proves lethal for the offending piece.

He reached for her left hand and slipped the
diamond ring onto her fourth finger. Prisms of color and light
radiated from the large center stone as the smaller diamonds
sparkled around its perimeter and from the embedded band. Of course
it fit. It was hers. With a mischievous smile, Tony said, “I just
wanted to make sure it still fit.”

Removing the platinum engagement ring, she
handed it back to him. “I appreciate the offer. Don’t make me give
you a definite answer. If I do, you won’t be happy. Let’s be
content with what we have, for now.”

Reluctantly he accepted the ring. Holding
her hand he bent his head and kissed her fingers, one by one. The
warm sensation began where his lips contacted her skin and
immediately radiated throughout her body. As he suckled each finger
he confessed, “I have made some bad decisions... and done some
things I regret in my life... but without a doubt... what I regret
the most... is divorcing you.” His penetrating gaze held her
emerald eyes captive. “If you tell me there is hope, that one day
you’ll be Mrs. Rawlings again, I will wait.”

She didn’t reply. She was busy enjoying the
sensation of his lips. It started with her fingers, moved to her
hand, arm, shoulder, and by the time he reached the nape of her
neck, Claire was moaning and lost to the world around her.

“
May I get you out of this
wet suit,
Ms. Nichols
?” He emphasized her name.

She answered heatedly, “Yes... and Mr.
Rawlings... there is always hope.”

Text message, from
Claire’s iPhone to Harry’s number:
THE
PLANE IS ABOUT TO TAKE OFF FROM IOWA CITY. IT’S A LITTLE AFTER 4.
SHOULD BE IN PALO ALTO AROUND 6:15 OR 6:30 PT.
She hit send. Then thinking about it more she wrote a second
message:
THANK YOU FOR PICKING ME
UP.

She settled into the plush white leather of
the reclining chair and fastened her seatbelt. Closing her eyes she
tried to think about Harry; however, her thoughts continually
returned to Tony.

The copilot, a woman Claire didn’t know,
spoke. The competent voice returned Claire from her daydreams. “Ms.
Nichols, we are about to take-off. If you’d like to make any calls
or send any messages, please complete them in the next few minutes.
Once we are at cruising altitude I will be happy to get you
anything you need.”

“
Thank you,” Claire read
her name badge, “Grace, I think I’m going to try to
sleep.”

“
Yes, Ma’am,” the woman
disappeared behind the door to the cockpit.

Claire removed her phone
one more time. With an uncontained smile she wrote:
THANK YOU FOR A LOVELY WEEKEND. I’M SO THANKFUL I
WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE WEDDING.
Send.

She saw the icon for an
incoming message:
I WILL BE
THERE
. Claire frowned. It was from Harry.
His normal pleasantries were gone. She knew without a doubt,
tonight’s conversation wouldn’t be pleasant. A beep and another
message:
I HOPE THAT WAS NOT THE ONLY PART
OF THE WEEKEND YOU ENJOYED?
Her grin
returned; the plane was starting to move. She replied:
I BELIEVE THERE WERE OTHER PARTS TOO. BUT SINCE
YOUR PLANE IS MOVING, I NEED TO TURN OFF MY PHONE -- CAN’T
ELABORATE.
She hit send and turned her
phone to Airplane Mode.

With the seat reclined and a soft light
blanket, Claire drifted off to sleep. It had been a long eventful
four days. Just before sleep she realized Tony was right about
something else: this was a nicer way to fly.

Simultaneously another text message
conversation occurred. Interestingly, this one too was volleying
between Iowa City and Palo Alto:

IC:
WHAT NEW INFORMATION DO YOU HAVE RE: BREAK IN?

PA
: BUILDING SECURITY TO SEND ME ENLARGED IMAGE OF PERP - WILL
FORWARD AS SOON AS I RECEIVE. NOT CLEAR ENOUGH TO BE USED WITH
RECOGNITION SOFTWARE
.

IC:
SEND VIA E-MAIL, EASIER TO ENLARGE ON MY END.

IC:
MS NICHOLS WILL ARRIVE PALO ALTO AFTER 6 PT. KEEP HER IN YOUR
VIEW UNTIL SAFELY RETURNED TO HER CONDO. ARE YOUR SENSORS IN
PLACE?

PA:
YES SIR. MS MCCOY JUST EXITED UNIT.

IC:
SHE IS GOING OUT OF TOWN.

PA:
HER FLIGHT PLAN IS FOR LOS ANGLES WITH RETURN FLIGHT
THURSDAY
. (Phil wanted to show Mr.
Rawlings he knew what was happening.)

IC:
KEEP ME CONSTANTLY APPRISED

PA:
YES SIR.

*****

Patrick waited by the exit to her terminal.
He didn’t know if she had checked luggage or not, but he could
follow from a distance. It took some patience, but he had the panel
van parked right next to her Honda Accord. The element of surprise
was always the best. It wasn’t like he’d ever kidnapped someone
before, but he’d watched enough episodes of crime shows to know the
necessary tools and form a well thought out plan.

He double checked the monitor. Yes, this was
her flight; nevertheless, as passenger after passenger passed, she
was AWOL. Didn’t first class usually deplane first?

After the stream of people waned, Patrick
walked confidently to the American Airlines counter. “Excuse me,”
he said politely. “I’m waiting for a friend. She was supposed to be
on Flight 1103 from Iowa. Can you tell me if she made her
flight?”

Once Patrick gave the attendant Claire’s
information, the man checked his computer. “I’m sorry, sir. We
don’t have anyone by that name scheduled on this flight. Perhaps
she changed her reservations.”

“
Can you
check?”

“
No, sorry.” The attendant
looked disgusted, “Privacy issues, you know? I can’t look in her
account. I
can
see if she’s on another flight scheduled to arrive later
today.”

Patrick’s heart raced; damn this was going
to be perfect. Maybe there was still a chance. “Yes, please.”

After prolonged scanning, the attendant
confessed, “I’m sorry, sir. I don’t see a Claire Nichols on any of
our flights. United has two coming in this evening from Iowa City.
Perhaps she switched carriers.”

“
Thank you.” Patrick
huffed as he walked away.
Now
what?

*****

Derek’s face filled the screen of Sophia’s
laptop. It amazed Sophia how even half a world apart, his voice
sounded like they were in the same room. “I called corporate. She’s
on her way back to California and being reassigned.”

Sophia couldn’t believe her ears. “So what
are you going to do about an assistant?”

“
They’ll assign me a
temporary and when I get back, I guess I get to start interviewing
potential candidates.”

“
I’m really sorry I was
right about Danni’s intentions.” She smiled into the camera,
“However, I’m very glad you stopped her in her tracks.”

“
Yea, Baby, I need to get
some work done here. I just wanted to be honest with
you.”

Sophia’s smile transcended the oceans.
“Thank you. When will you be home?”

“
I’m scheduled to fly back
Friday. I hope this doesn’t postpone things.”

“
Me either. I love
you.”

“
I love you, too,” Derek
said as he disconnected their Skype call.

For a few moments Sophia stared at the blank
screen. She couldn’t believe Danni flew all the way to China to
seduce her husband. Of course, that wasn’t the reason she listed on
her travel request. It had something to do with negotiation
assistance.

“
Sophie, did I hear that
husband of yours in here?” Carlos asked as he walked into Sophia’s
kitchen.

“
No, Pop. Remember, he’s
in China. I was just talking to him on the computer.”

“
China? He’s in China? Why
would he be there? He should be here with you. He could help me
make some more frames. I think we can get a few more sketches
stretched today.”

“
That sounds great. I want
to be back to California by Friday.”

“
You and that man of yours
need to move back here. New Jersey is where you belong.”

“
Yes, Pop.”

She decided not to remind
him that
here
was
Provincetown not Princeton. It wouldn’t matter in another ten
minutes anyway. She and her mom told him a hundred times about
Derek’s trip to China.

Sophia smiled as she thought about her
father’s agenda for stretching sketches. Why could he remember some
things and not others?

If she hadn’t spent the past week with him,
she wouldn’t have believed how far he had deteriorated. Sophia
wanted to talk to her mom about hired help. She worried her mom was
doing too much. Sometimes you just need help.

Anger is not the opposite
of love, for the opposite of love is indifference.
To be angry is to care tremendously.
-
Doris Moreland Jones