Behind His Eyes - Convicted: The Missing Years (26 page)

John shook Tim’s hand and had a seat. Being one of the nicer restaurants in the area, the waiter was present immediately, assessing the needs of the two men. Once he walked away, John responded, “I’m curious, Mr. Bronson, not to mention very surprised.”

“Please, call me Tim. We’ve known each other for years. I’m not much into titles. I’m into this company. Despite decisions that Tony has made in his private life, his work ethic and business sense has always been spot on and impeccable.”

John listened.

“You have been very vocal about your feelings toward your brother-in-law. I respect that. From what I’ve seen, you’re a family man, and you feel that your family has been wronged.”

John nodded, “My family as well as me.”

It was Tim’s turn to nod. “Yes, Brent filled me in on some past history. I assure you, that the business side of Rawlings is and always has been separate from the personal side. I didn’t know about…” he hesitated “…well, any of the personal dealings.” He corrected. “I of course knew about Claire, that they were married. Sue and I were there. However, we didn’t know about any of the other things. I can honestly tell you that I wouldn’t have cared if he were my boss or not; I wouldn’t have been able to sit idly by if I had any idea—”

John interrupted, “Please, Tim, I’ve heard all I want to hear about Claire and Anthony’s first marriage. I’ve read the book, and I don’t care to see the movie. I’ve heard the same thing from everyone. They did a good job keeping it hidden. Obviously, neither Emily nor I were aware. We can’t hold others accountable if we ourselves weren’t to blame. No matter the reason he did it or she didn’t tell, was their choice. I don’t have to agree, but I think I’ve come to terms with it. They remarried, and from all accounts, it was a mutual decision based on feelings versus contracts. I can only hope that at some time my sister-in-law was happy.”

What John didn’t say—what he couldn’t say—was the why of how he’d come to terms with it. Ironically, it was the same reason Emily couldn’t. It was Claire. For a while the doctors questioned her ability to speak. Most of what she said was difficult to understand and jumbled. However, what she did say with some clarity was the name Tony. Over and over, especially while in a sleep-like state. It seemed like it was at those times, when she was absent in mind, that she was the most at peace. John couldn’t explain it, and Emily didn’t see it the same way, but there was something about seeing her during those times that touched John’s heart.

“That’s what I want to discuss—Claire and Nichol.”

John leaned forward, his voice lower than usual. “Tim, I respect you and what you’re doing for Rawlings Industries, but I will not discuss Claire’s condition nor will I allow Nichol to be part of the media circus that seems to surround Anthony.”

Tim shook his head. “No, John, that’s not what I mean.” A slight grin came to his lips. “But I do have to say, if you would include Claire and Nichol’s company—their financial future—in that protective umbrella you have over them, I believe you’d be the perfect addition to Rawlings Industries.”

Leaning back, John relaxed a little. “I’m listening.”

“You and I aren’t far apart in age. Brent Simmons has been an asset to Rawlings and to Tony. His allegiance is to his friend and his friend’s company. No matter what happens to Rawlings Industries and the tens of thousands of employees, Anthony Rawlings will do fine when he is out of prison. I believe that Brent has been through some difficult times over the years. Through it all he’s stayed steadfast with Tony. I can only imagine that when Tony decides to retire, so will Brent. Tom too has been wonderful. I want someone else heading up the legal department who can both learn from those two men, as well as stick around, hopefully with me, and take Rawlings Industries into the future.”

“You mentioned Claire and Nichol,” John reminded.

“I don’t think that they will ever be destitute. Tony is too smart for that. However, with the publicity regarding Nichol’s parents, the best way to make her future easier is to have the good outweigh the bad. I want to see Rawlings Industries not only continue as the powerhouse that it was, but to forge a path for the future. I believe that with the right people we can not only bring back what we once had, but make it better…”

John listened as Tim laid out his goals and objectives. Wealth builds wealth, power builds power. Anthony Rawlings began Rawlings Industries with nothing. He and his friend had an idea and from there it mushroomed. It was an atomic bomb in the world of computers. Right time. Right place. Along the way there have been difficult decisions. Companies have been closed, but more have been opened. The economy is trying to rebound. It will take companies like Rawlings Industries, ones who are willing to reach down to the smallest of subsidiaries and lend the needed guidance, to keep people working.

Tim wasn’t afraid to address the difficult subjects, yet he added the personal touch. “When Tony first re-introduced Claire into our fold, I’ll admit that Sue and I were skeptical. After all, the last we’d heard, she was incarcerated for attempted murder.”

John started to respond, but Tim went on.

“We forgot about the woman we knew and liked. I can say loved when it comes to Sue. Sue thought and still thinks the world of Claire. Their ages helped to make them fast friends. Then, after Claire returned, it only took being with her for a few hours to remember. We remembered the woman we knew, the one we never believed could have hurt Tony. John, she could have hated us all. She could, and maybe should have hated Tony, but she didn’t. I’m not asking you how she’s doing now. I’m telling you that she has one of the most forgiving hearts I’ve ever known. I hope that you can see that by working for Rawlings Industries, by forgiving the injustices that were done to you and to your family, and by concentrating on what Claire would want… building a better future for not only her and Nichol, but for thousands and thousands of employees who need their paychecks, that you will be helping so many.”

“I have to ask where Anthony stands on this?”

Tim nodded. “I expected that question.” He reached into his breast pocket and retrieved an envelope. “This is for you. If you’ll excuse me while I make a call, I’ll leave you alone for a moment. By the way, I have not read what’s in there. All I know is that I proposed your hiring to Tony a few weeks ago. I was still technically in charge, but he was back. Anyway, he said he wanted to think about it and asked me to wait. Four days ago he gave me that envelope and told me to follow my gut. He already knew his sentence and said that he felt secure with Rawlings Industries in my hands. He said that I should do what I want to do: currently the decisions are mine. However, if I still wanted to pursue offering you a position, he made a few requests. The first was that I discuss it with Brent and Tom. If I found support, he asked that I bring it up to the board of directors. He said if I had the support of the company, I had his. His last request was that I give you that envelope before you make a decision.” Tim grinned. “I hope he doesn’t screw up everything I’ve just said, but despite it all, I have faith in him, too.”

John tried to swallow the anticipation as he laid the envelope on the table. He wasn’t sure why his hand had begun to tremble. Looking up at Tim, John nodded. Smiling, Tim walked away to make his call. Once alone, John lifted the letter, broke the seal, and removed the page. The letter was hand written.

John,

I don’t know where to begin. If you’ve received this letter then you’re at least considering working for Rawlings Industries. You should know that I had nothing to do with this job offer. It is not like the last time. I have no excuse for what I did in the past, but I do have an explanation.

I saw you as a threat—which I hope you know is a compliment. I’d followed your career and knew all about you. From your modest roots to your Midwest education, I saw how you took what I honestly believed to be a mediocre beginning and turned it into success. Your record was impeccable. Before meeting you, I knew you were a force with which to be reckoned.

That said, I did what I do. I decided to capitalize on your ability and at the same time create a situation in which you would be indebted to me. At the time, I didn’t consider Claire’s feelings. When she found out that I’d offered you the job, she was apprehensively pleased. She spoke about us living closer and being a family. All I could think about was having you under my control.

It’s no secret that I wasn’t happy with you at our wedding rehearsal when you didn’t give Claire away. At that moment, when I saw the anguish in Claire’s eyes, I was determined to stifle your paternal, protective instincts. Claire was no longer your concern. She was MY wife and your actions caused her anguish.

I said she was apprehensively pleased. The apprehension came because Claire was concerned that you’d refuse the offer. She told me it was a possibility. I didn’t give her concern credence, until you refused. After all, I, via Tom, had offered you so much more than you had in Albany. I was certain the money alone would entice you. However, as you know, Claire was right, and once again, you demonstrated that you were indeed a formidable opponent.

As I stated, that wasn’t meant as an excuse or even a feeble attempt at an apology. I believe we are beyond that.

You currently have guardianship of two of the most precious and important people in the world. The only reason that I have not fought harder to regain my rights regarding my wife and my daughter was that I knew I had a debt to pay. I’ve accepted that commitment and will pay what I owe. Once I am done, be forewarned I will fight for what is mine.

In the meantime, I have to believe that those protective instincts that I witnessed years ago, and loathed, have resurfaced. For peace of mind, I have to believe that the decisions you’re making in your life and for your family have my family’s best interest at heart. To that end, I want you to know that I welcome you at Rawlings Industries. My company is Claire’s company. One day it will be Nichol’s. I have the utmost faith in Tim. If he believes in you, I do too. I also want you to know that I will not interfere in his decisions regarding your employment. If you choose to work for him at Rawlings Industries, he will be whom you are working for.

I trust that you will take that arrogant, protective attitude that I hated and use it to better the lives of my wife and daughter, as well as the employees of Rawlings Industries. All of these people need what I will temporarily be unable to provide.

To that end, if you choose to do that in my absence, I thank you.

Anthony

Shaking his head, John placed the letter back into the envelope. He wasn’t sure what to think about his brother-in-law’s attempt to communicate. However, for the first time that John could remember, it didn’t seem manipulative or calculating. It seemed like—in Anthony’s own way—he was almost humbled. Before John could give it too much contemplation, Tim returned.

“Are you still considering my offer?” Tim asked with a grin.

Extending his hand, John said, “Yes, Tim, I’m considering it.”

John didn’t give Tim an answer the day they met or even the next week. He talked to Emily and to Amber. The prospect of practicing law again excited him more than he’d anticipated. Though he could accept the offer, he had his own legal hoops to jump through before he’d be licensed in Iowa. But that could be done, and when it came to SiJo, John believed he’d done all he could do. Since the incident, his heart hadn’t been in it. He was truthful when he told Amber that he believed she could find someone new to take the position further.

Did Anthony’s letter confess to being the person who set him up and took away his life? Not directly. Nevertheless, John chose not to share the letter with Emily. He knew she’d see manipulation and deceit in every word; however, during their discussions he explained that though Anthony was still part of Rawlings Industries, Tim was the one who wanted to hire him. Tim would be the one to whom John would report. Both he and Emily liked the prospect of being together again as a family, especially with Michael on the way. After much debate, John accepted Tim’s offer, resigned his position at SiJo, and moved to Iowa.

In the past five months, he and Emily added Michael to their family, purchased a home, and began a new life—again. It was true that every upheaval in their lives could be associated with Anthony Rawlings. Nevertheless, with time, it even surprised John that he could now say the word
Rawlings
without feeling the deep-seated hatred from before. He supposed that was because along the way, the meaning of the word had changed.
Rawling
s no longer solely represented the man: instead, it stood for the company, a part of Claire and Nichol.

Though it was undeniably Nichol and Claire’s last name, Emily had done her best to remove it from anything associated with Claire. John knew his wife meant well. She’d explained her stance many times. In her mind, Anthony was inarguably responsible for everything negative in Claire’s life. Not only was he responsible for the concussion she’d sustained while with him, but the injury she had in California. After all, she reasoned, Chester wouldn’t have been after Claire, if it weren’t for Anthony. Emily interpreted the doctors’ findings to say that Claire was suffering a psychotic break brought on by the TBI. She believed that by creating a stress-free, anti-Anthony environment, Claire could heal and recover. She forbade anything that would in any way remind her sister of her life over the past almost five years. Though Emily couldn’t legally have
Rawlings
removed from Claire’s name, she made it clear to everyone at Everwood that her sister was to only be addressed as Claire Nichols. Since Emily was her court-appointed guardian and was the one who paid the medical expenses—with Anthony’s money—her wishes were followed.