Truth

couldn’t hide the tears slipping from her eyes. She hit another button and continued to read.
    Sniffing, she wiped her eyes, tried to appear composed, and read through blurred vision. The time read 6 AM - only two hours ago, also from Courtney, PRIVATE DETEC TRYING TO FIND YOU. KNOWS ABOUT CANCELLED TIX TO SAN FRAN. CHECKING OUT INDIANA. CHECKING EMILYS PHONE RECORDS. HEARD TONY’S VOICE W/ BRENT. NOT HAPPY!!!! BE CAREFUL.
    Silently, Harry stood motionless, intently watching Claire’s every move.
    “ I’m sorry,” she offered, “I need to check this voice mail.” She didn’t want to answer his what question, and hoped he’d leave her alone to listen. He didn’t, although he went back to his coffee on the counter and gave her some space. Claire activated her voice mail and listened to Emily’s voice:
    “ Claire, it’s a little after four in the morning here. That’s what? Two there, I think. I know you’re asleep but you need to know, I just got a call at this hour , from some man named Roach. He said he’s a private investigator working for a mutual friend . He said you may be in danger and needs to know your location, for your protection , he said. I didn’t believe him. Please call and tell me you’re safe.” Claire’s tears multiplied as she listened to her sister’s scared voice. “He said he knows I’ve been talking to a disposable phone in California and asked if it’s you. I just kept saying , I don’t know where she is and I have no other comment . Finally, I hung-up on him. Can they really look into my phone records? I’ll get one of those phones too. I’ll call you later with the number… so even though you don’t recognize it, please answer. I love you, and I really do believe all you’ve told me. Let me know you’re safe. Bye.”
    Warnings and alarms rushed through Claire’s mind as time stood still. Her body involuntarily sought to run -- the flight instinct. However, that monologue had been talked to death -- run where? She’d started a life. Therefore, flight wasn’t an option. Therefore, biology told her to fight. Not physically, Claire knew that wasn’t possible. This scenario was what she’d hoped to avoid. The text messages and voicemail confirmed her fear.
    Naïvely she’d hoped -- no prayed -- since she hadn’t heard anything for two weeks, maybe Tony would just let her go. It may’ve been fantasy, but the two week reprieve was heavenly.
    Claire stood to go to her room. She would finish the article on her laptop, later.
    Harry tried again, “Claire, please tell me what’s happening.”
    “ Nothing, I’m fine.” She made to the hallway before Harry touched her shoulder.
    The contact initiated an immediate flinch. Straightening her spine, she spun to face him. A look of terror and panic filled her beautiful eyes. The expression shocked him. Harry expected sad or maybe mad, but what he saw was unbridled fear. It took his breath away. While an investigator for the Bureau he’d seen that look. Without thinking, he asked, “What did he do to you?”
    Her eyes muted, a haze covered the brief glimpse into her true feelings. Claire’s countenance turned stoic. “Harry, I need to take a shower. Thank you for checking on me. I’m fine, and I know you need to get to SiJo.” Mustering a forced grin she continued, “I hear your boss is getting upset about all your recent time off.”
    He wanted to question her. Inquisition procedures were his specialty. However, she wasn’t a suspect. She was his sister’s friend – no, his friend. During the past two weeks they’d spent countless hours working as a team to put pieces of her life back together. He knew about the box of memories Anthony Rawlings sent her. He knew she looked like a child at Christmas when she purchased a telephone. He knew she did not attempt to murder her ex-husband. Of course, that was just Claire’s word, but Harry believed her.
    He didn’t know about her life with Mr. Rawlings. Somehow, whenever the subject came up, she eloquently changed it. Now the churning in his gut told him why. This petite, funny, friendly, pretty, delicate, kind woman in front of him was hurt. Maybe, just maybe, it was only a broken heart.
    It has been said, people drawn to law enforcement have a sixth sense, an ability to see what others do not. He prayed he was wrong. His sixth sense said there was much more than a broken heart in Claire’s past.
    Harry pushed his questions away, “Your right, I do need to