Truth (78 page)

“
I went to my place and
began looking for the number for Chinese take-out. My phone started
ringing. It was a blocked number. The first time, I’m sorry to say,
I ignored it. The second set of rings I gave in....”

“
Yes?”

“
It was your ex-husband. I
wasn’t in a friendly mood. He was talking so fast I had a hard time
following. Basically, he knew someone was in your condo and wanted
me to get to you as soon as possible. Honestly, I thought it was
some kind of set up. I mean, I’m right there, he’s across the
country, how could he know what’s happening in your condo?” Harry
paused, “I must agree,” he said with a grin, “Anthony Rawlings can
be very persuasive. I expected to find you doing inventory in your
room. I used my key and entered.” He shook his head.

“
Thank you, Harry. I think
you saved my life. Mr. Chester said something about taking me...or
me going with him.”

“
It was his van we saw in
your space. Do you remember that?”

Claire nodded. The action made the room lose
focus. She closed her eyes, laid her head back, and tried to keep
the world still.

“
He had a note ready and
supplies in the van. Claire, he planned on kidnapping you and
ransoming you, to Mr. Rawlings. He wanted more money.”

Claire felt the world slip away... she was
supposed to be kidnapped???

“
Claire?” Harry’s
questioning voice kept her earthbound. “Why didn’t you tell
me?”

She looked to the soft blue eyes staring
down at her.

Harry continued, “I’m so sorry. You tried to
tell me we needed to talk -- I was an ass. I keep saying the same
thing, but I want you to know that I’m really sorry!”

“
What happened to Patrick
Chester?”

“
When I started to open
the door I heard the commotion in the living room. You were on the
ground and he was...” Claire saw the anguish in Harry’s expression;
she turned her hand and squeezed his. He continued, “He was pulling
you by your hair.” Harry took another breath, in and out. “I
screamed at him and at the same time, building security and Phil,
you know, the guy you call your bodyguard? They came rushing in.
Chester freaked. He started to reach for something. I think we all
assumed it was a gun. The security guard shot first.”

Claire listened in horror. “Is he dead?”

Harry nodded. “By that time you were
unconscious. This is entirely my fault. I never should have taken
you to his house. I never suspected he would see you as a...”

Harry’s voice trailed away
as voices in the hall became loud and angry. Claire heard John’s
rising above the fray, “
You
are
not
welcome here. I can’t believe you would have the
nerve to show your face after all you’ve done.”

“
I want to see
her.”

Claire’s heart leapt -- Tony. “Oh, it’s
Tony!” She couldn’t hide the happiness from her voice or expression
while simultaneously seeing the pain in Harry’s. “Didn’t you say
his call is what got you to me in time?” Harry nodded. “Then don’t
you think he should be able to see I’m all right?”

“
I don’t think
in your condition
you
need to be upset by him.”

Claire closed her eyes as tears slid down
her cheeks, “Please, Harry, before he and John exchange blows.”

Begrudgingly, Harry rose from the side of
her bed and walked toward the voices. When he opened the door, the
harsh words came even clearer to Claire. She heard Harry above the
others, “John, stop. Claire wants to see Mr. Rawlings.”

Emily’s voice prevailed, “I haven’t even
seen her yet. She’s my sister.”

“
Claire
wants to see
him
now.”

“
Thank you, Mr.
Baldwin.”

Although Claire heard restraint in Tony’s
words, the deep baritone voice filled her with relief. Tears
trickled from her eyes as she turned toward the door frame and saw
her two men. She remained silent as Tony offer his hand to Harry
and the two men shook. It was then she noticed Tony’s wrinkled
shirt and slacks, his unkempt hair and evidence of a three day
beard. Harry looked as equally unkempt; it was just not as unusual
to see him in that condition. They both walked into the room.
Though she tried, she couldn’t read Tony’s expression. She watched
as he took in her appearance and slowly approached her bed. She
wasn’t sure how she looked, but suspected by his darkening eyes and
protruding neck muscles, it wasn’t good.

The silence turned deafening as Tony’s
presence overtook the small hospital room. Claire turned to see
Harry watching Tony suspiciously. She suddenly feared he would try
to stop Tony’s progress. Breaking the tension Claire spoke to
Harry, “Please give us a moment alone.” She saw his indecision.
“Harry, I promise I’ll be fine.” Her words broke Tony’s trance.

“
Mr. Baldwin, I will only
stay as long as Claire allows.”

Claire exhaled at Tony’s manners. She knew
he was speaking as the social Anthony, not from his soul.
Nevertheless, his charisma prevailed and Harry approached Claire.
When he bent to kiss her, she pleaded with her eyes. Instead of
continuing his descent, he squeezed her hand. The sad realization
in his eyes broke her heart. He said, “I’m right on the other side
of that door.”

“
Thank you,” she feigned a
smile, “for everything.”

After a prolonged stare at Claire and again
at Tony, Harry exited the room. As he did, Claire heard the
protests of her family. She didn’t care.

She looked up to the man looming above her,
gloom emanating from every pore. His expression should terrify her;
it was probably the reason Harry didn’t want to leave, but she
wasn’t afraid. Tears of relief flowed as she reached for him and
said, “I’m so glad you’re here.”

He took her hand, “The last time I saw you
like this...”

“
I’m all
right.”

“
If that son-of-a-bitch
weren’t dead, I’d kill him myself.”

By the sound of Tony’s
voice, Claire didn’t doubt the accuracy. “Tony,
we
are both okay.”

His eyes opened wide and his shoulders
relaxed, “I haven’t been able to get any specific information. I
just assumed...”

“
The doctor was just here.
She said our baby is fine.”

Moisture filled his eyes as he pulled away
and paced near the end of her bed. Finally he spoke, “Claire, just
like your accident, this is my fault, too.” She shook her head but
he continued. “I don’t know how Chester found you or knew of our
connection. I don’t even know how he knew me. I knew him when I was
Anton.” He moved closer and started to reach for her chin, but
stopped. “And now look what he’s done.”

Claire squeezed his large hand and lifted it
to her face, “Thank you for coming. I feel so much better having
you here.”

As her face inclined to his touch, Tony’s
forehead fell to her chest and he sighed with relief. “I knew my
presence wouldn’t be welcome. I’ve been waiting on another floor
for word of your waking.”

That’s why he wasn’t here
--
Claire thought as her lips turned
upward and said, “Yes, I heard your welcoming
committee.”

He looked into her eyes and his voice
hardened, “When you’re well enough to travel, you’re coming home
where you’ll be safe and where Catherine can take care of you.”

She narrowed her eyes, “That didn’t sound
like a question.”

His eyes narrowed in response, “It
shouldn’t. I would hate to mislead you; it wasn’t.”

Claire exhaled, “Chester is dead, no more
danger.”

He leaned toward her, “Are you seriously
going to argue about this, covered in bruises and carrying my
baby?”

He was close; she raised her chin and kissed
his pursed lips. “Not right now,” she smiled. “Let me get some rest
and get a little stronger and then I will.” She watched his eyes
soften as a smile caused his cheeks to rise.

“
Good,” he kissed her
again. “I look forward to it.” He squeezed her hand. “We don’t know
if Patrick Chester was working alone. Until we find out and find
your laptop, this isn’t negotiable.”

Claire debated protesting. While Tony’s
expression warned otherwise, that wasn’t what stopped her. She
wasn’t sure she wanted to argue. What if there was someone else? “I
need some sleep for this headache to go away, and then I’ll respond
with the appropriate cheekiness for you.”

His eyes continued to lighten, “Even looking
like you do, I think you’re sexy as hell.” He gently kissed her
forehead, “Do you think now is a good time to tell your entourage
our news?”

Claire looked down. “No, they know.” Tony’s
eyebrows went up. “The doctor told Harry before I woke. He told
everyone else.”

Dark clouds returned to
his gaze, “Why would the doctor tell
him
?”

“
She assumed he was the
father.”

His words slowed as his
posture straightened, “And does
he
assume that as well?”

Claire thought she might be ill. She was
single. She and Tony weren’t married, engaged, or anything else. At
least they weren’t when she and Harry...So why did she feel so
guilty. Shyly she replied, “Yes.”

If she’d slapped him, he couldn’t have stood
faster. For a split second Claire feared he was heading for the
door. She worried more for Harry than for herself. However, Tony
stopped his progress and paced around the small hospital room,
keeping his eyes fixed on his shoes moving rapidly upon the glossy
linoleum. Claire didn’t speak; Tony needed to work this out
himself. Instead, she laid her head upon the pillow and closed her
eyes.

His voice brought her
back, “You’re sure
I’m
the father?”

Claire opened her eyes, her voice steady,
“Yes, you were at the condominium two weeks before Harry and me...
Well, at the ultrasound the doctor said the heartbeat isn’t
detectable until six weeks. If he were the father, I would have
barely been five weeks along. At that time, I was seven.” She
reached for his hand. After a moment of hesitation he stepped to
her. She continued, “Tony, I didn’t know we were together until you
confirmed it at the gala. I remember it, but I truly thought it was
a dream.”

He sighed and sat again on her bedside. “You
were very tired, but you were talking. You mentioned something
about a dream. I may be guilty of taking advantage of a tired
woman, but nothing else.”

“
How did you get back in
the condo? I remember closing and locking the door.”

“
You closed it, but you
didn’t lock it. Or, it didn’t lock. I came back to say something,
and I heard something fall. It sounded like it broke. I listened
but didn’t hear anything else. So, I decided to check on you. The
door opened.” He confessed, “I didn’t knock. You were on the couch.
I carried you to your bedroom. I can say
with honorable intentions
, but that
wouldn’t be entirely true. Claire, I asked you multiple times. You
never said no.”

She sighed, “I remember wanting you. I’d
spent half the night dreaming about you, until I gave up and stayed
awake. That’s why I was so tired.”

His smile lit her world. “You dreamt about
me?”

“
Yes, it was after our
dinner. I hadn’t seen you since ... the jail in Iowa.”

He softly kissed her lips, and his eyes
sparkled, “You dreamt about me?”

She smirked, “Yes, you egotistical
narcissist. I did.”

“
I’ve dreamt about you,
too. I think it may have something to do with seeing your beautiful
face above my fireplace every night before I fall
asleep.”

The door opened, and they turned to see the
nurse return. “I’m sorry, sir, Ms. Nichols needs her rest. I’m
closing her door to visitors for a while.”

Tony stood with Claire’s hand still in his.
“What about...?” he asked.

“
I’ll tell them. I was
about to tell Harry when you showed up.”

Tony turned to the nurse,
“How long is
a while
?”

She looked to Claire.
Suddenly, Claire realized the nurse was probably sent to save her.
Claire replied, “
I
want Mr. Rawlings here whenever possible.”

The nurse spoke to Tony, “Let her sleep
through the night.”

Tony nodded, “I can do that.” He bent down
and kissed Claire, “I’ll be back in the morning.”

“
Good. I think you look
like you could use some sleep too.” Although her head hurt, her
emerald eyes glistened through her bruised face.

As she turned to watch him leave, she saw
four sets of eyes watching their goodbye and focusing on Tony as he
politely passed their human wall. The door closed.

“
Nurse, I’m sorry I don’t
know your name.”

“
Terri.”

“
Terri?” Claire asked
softly. “Could you please tell my other visitors I need rest? I
really don’t have the energy to talk with
any
of them.”

Terri nodded, “I can do that. This medicine
should help your pain and help you sleep.”

“
It won’t hurt the
baby?”

“
No, it’s completely
safe.”

Claire watched as Terri injected something
into her IV. She closed her eyes and allowed the medicine to take
effect as Terri walked to the hall and addressed Claire’s
entourage.