Truth

shock.
    Claire quickly added, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
    With her expression mellowing, Catherine said, “No, Claire it didn’t. I never thought anyone would ever think of me that way.”
    Internally smiling at being addressed by only her first name, Claire hugged the woman before her. “I do. I don’t think I would have survived without you. I feel so much better just being with you.”
    Catherine’s gray eyes filled with moisture as she turned her gaze out into the yard. Never in Claire’s memory could she remember seeing Catherine cry, even after Claire’s accident . Catherine was always strong and steady. The crack in this woman’s armor made Claire uneasy; she lifted her purse and walked toward the grand staircase. Her suite was at the top of the steps in the southeast wing. She knew the way well.
     
    *****
     
    Tony gripped the telephone as he looked once again at the clock on the dashboard of the BMW: 5:22 PM. The voice on the other end of his conversation was understandably uneasy. Tony had listened to the murmuring as long as his nerves would allow. Finally Tony interrupted, “So she turned down the tour. Did she tell you why?”
    “ She said there are too many things happening right now. She doesn’t want to be gone from her husband for that long.”
    “ Then tell her, she can choose a shorter tour. I thought thirty months was excessive. You were the one who advised bigger and grander. Make is twelve, sixteen cities in twelve months. I want an answer tomorrow.”
    “ Mr. Rawlings, she’s gone. She went to visit her father in New Jersey.”
    “ She left town and you didn’t inform me?”
    “ She just left today.”
    “ Mr. George, you are on the verge of losing the best investment you’ve ever secured. I want her signed to a contract, yesterday.”
    “ Sir, do you want me to follow her to New Jersey?” He said New Jersey like it was purgatory.
    “ Is her husband with her?”
    “ I don’t know, sir. She didn’t mention him regarding her trip.”
    “ Get me a verbal answer by tomorrow.” Tony disconnected the call. He quickly dialed another number.
    “ Hello, Mr. Rawlings.”
    “ Danielle, I was just informed Sophia Burke is visiting New Jersey. Is Derek with her?”
    “ No, sir, Derek left yesterday for a ten day factory visit in Beijing.”
    “ And where are you?”
    “ Santa Clara”
    “ Why are you not with him in China? You are supposed to be his personal assistant . I am sure we could find someone who is better for your job.”
    “ Sir, Derek is a nice man. He’s not interested in cheating on his wife.”
    Tony’s sneer lingered, as his eyes remained cool, “People get lonely in other countries. You will leave immediately. Keep me apprised of your success.”
    “ Yes, sir.”
    Tony disconnected his call and placed his phone on the seat to his right. Looking up to the rearview mirror, Tony asked, “Eric, tell me again about Ms. Claire. How is she?”
    “ She was strong until she reached your home.”
    “ What happened?”
    “ She broke down, crying on the brickyard ...” Eric explained everything up until Catherine took Claire gingerly in to the house.
    Tony listened. Not in seventeen months had he felt the anticipation of reaching his home as he did today. He couldn’t believe she was really back. Drumming his fingers silently on the leather seat, he watched the road pass before him. If he were driving, he would have this car doing one hundred and ten.
     
    *****
     
    Her shoes clicked along the marble second floor landing until the carpet of the southeast corridor enveloped her heels and muted her steps. Each door she passed along the corridor made Claire wonder if she’d chosen the right room. The door to her suite stood ajar. She tentatively stood at the threshold. It had been a long time since she’d spent thirteen days trapped within the confines of this suite. Yet, despite the happy memories associated with this room, that incarceration was what tumbled out her hidden compartment.
    By entering, was she exposing her queen, or worse her king? Everyone knows if her king were captured, the game would be done.
    Bravely she reached into her purse and looked at her iPhone. Yes, she had a signal. Her queen had protection. Most of her support was miles away. However, a bishop or a rook could move across the entire board in an undeterred motion.
    The suite was as luxurious as she remembered. Some of the colors and textures had changed, but