Truth

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