Truth

“You’re amazing. IF you need me, call and I’ll get there as soon as possible.”
    “ I’m a big girl. I’ll see you here later tonight.”
    Amber looked at her phone. Her words staccato, “Claire, the car is here.”
    Harry volunteered, “I’ll walk her to the car and meet you in the basement garage.”
     
    Now, alone in the limousine, through the windows, Claire watched the people in the car before hers. They were waving to the people behind the velvet ropes. Claire remembered Harry’s penetrating blue eyes as he helped her into the SiJo car. His voice was slow and steady, “I know you’re a big girl, but if you have any problems with Mr. Rawlings, call me immediately. I hate not being with you. You should know every man there will want to be your escort. You are undoubtedly the most beautiful, brave, and intelligent woman I know.”
    His words warmed her soul. She smiled bashfully as he closed the door to the SiJo car.
    That same car now stopped. While Claire waited for the driver, or an attendant, to open her door, she secured her mask. As the door opened, the voices from behind the rope came into range.
    “ Ms. Nichols, why are you representing SiJo Gaming?”
    “ Ms. Nichols, how does it feel to be out of prison?”
    She followed Tony’s instructions, from so long ago at the Symphony, “ Do not act surprised or shocked. Just flash a beautiful smile and radiate confidence.” Claire smiled, nodded politely to the crowd, and gracefully made her way into the Saint Regis Hotel.
    Once through the front door, a woman with an ear piece and an electronic tablet approached. Claire noticed multiple people fitting that description, all directing attendants through a set of double doors.
    “ Hello, welcome to The Saint Regis. May I have your name and the name of the company you’re representing?”
    “ Claire Nichols, SiJo Gaming.”
    “ Yes, Ms. Nichols, I see your name. There is also a Mr. Harrison Baldwin registered. Is he with you this evening?”
    “ No, he was unfortunately detained. I will be representing SiJo Gaming alone.”
    “ I see. If you could please follow the others through the double doors ahead and to your left, you will receive further instructions. Thank you for joining us this evening.”
    Claire answered affirmatively and followed the others through the double doors. Once inside, she found herself in a large room. Men in black tuxedos and women in beautiful gowns stood in groupings, while waiters and waitresses mingled about with trays. Some of the trays contained flutes of champagne while others held hors d’oeuvres. Claire’s stomach twisted as whiffs of caviar, smoked salmon, and pâtés lofted through the air. She’d meant to eat something before she left the condo. However, the glitches at SiJo changed her plans.
    Before Claire could give food much thought, a young man explained, “In about twenty minutes you’ll need to step to those doors. At that time you’ll be announced as you enter the gala. Do you have any questions?”
    Claire said she did not. Once again she was standing alone in a sea of people. Gathering her inner socialness, Claire scanned the room. As she looked from couple to couple, a nice older man and woman approached, “Hello, Ms. Nichols?”
    “ Yes.”
    “ My name is Jonas Cunningham. This is my wife, Hilary.”
    Claire extended her hand. Mr. Cunningham continued, “We’re from Shedis-tics. I believe we’ll be sharing a table.”
    Claire filled with immediate relief. It was so nice to talk to someone whom she would be seeing throughout the night. “Yes, I believe we are. It is nice to meet you.”
    The three spoke for a few minutes when another woman with an earpiece politely interrupted. “Excuse me, Ms. Nichols?”
    Claire responded, “Yes, I’m Ms. Nichols.”
    “ If you would please follow me, your presence is requested in another room.”
    Claire nodded to the Cunninghams and followed the woman leading her away from the doors she’d been told to exit. When they were on the fringe of the reception room, Claire asked, “Excuse me, everyone else is going another direction. What did you mean, my presence is requested?”
    The young woman answered, “If you’ll follow me, I’m sure you’ll understand.”
    The voice Claire heard earlier, the one warning her about the coincidence of SiJo’s recent problems, began speaking with an alarming tone.
     
    *****
     
    After almost thirty minutes in the waiting room , Sophia wasn’t sure