Truth
to the French ambiance. Looking down she watched the people stories below on the famous Riverwalk. It was beautiful, filled with flowing water, flowers, people, and giant cypress trees. A faint breeze blew the curtains of the open doors as she relaxed upon her king sized bed and checked the phone. There were seven missed calls and three text messages. Claire closed the phone. The get-a-way was too fresh in her mind, too many good memories. Her mood was too high; she would read the messages later.
Next, she checked in with Emily, her daily I’M FINE text. Today she added, I’M BACK IN SAN ANTONIO. MY FLIGHT IS TOMORROW ABOUT NOON FOR SAN FRAN. CALL IF YOU CAN. LOVE YA!
With Emily’s husband John, back in Indiana, the two sisters no longer spoke every day. However, they made a point to check in daily. Claire spoke to John a few times since his prison release. At first it was even more uncomfortable than her first talks with Emily. Thinking about her time with Courtney, Claire decided they needed some face-to-face time. It was much better than phone calls.
She also sent text messages to Amber and Harry informing them of her location. Knowing there were people who cared and worried about her, added to Claire’s euphoria. Closing her eyes she debated napping. The distinctive Emily phone’s ring stopped her descent into the drowsy abyss. Eyes still closed, she reached for the small black cellphone. “Hi.”
“ Hi, Claire, I hope you don’t mind me calling.” The voice caught her off guard, her eyes opened wide. Napping disappeared from her radar. She hadn’t heard this voice since last July at Iowa’s Woman’s Penitentiary.
“ Brent?”
“ Yes.” She held her breath, unsure what to say. Brent continued. “Courtney’s home safe.”
Claire’s mind spun. She wanted to trust him; after all, according to Courtney he was also responsible for her freedom and was too a victim of Tony. Claire knew that. She’d witnessed their interaction. “I’m glad.” She swallowed and continued, “Brent ... thank you.”
“ Please don’t thank me. I’ve done much more to hurt you, than help you.”
She heard the anguish in his voice. “Just tell me, of all the things you’ve done, which ones did you want to do?”
“ I wanted to help you. I never wanted to hurt you, even before I read the preliminary brief. It’s just that sometimes I had no…”
Claire stopped him, “I understand.” She inhaled and continued, “You know that though -- don’t you?”
“ I do. And, we understand you.”
Her entire body filled with warmth. She’d known this man for less than three years. Her ex-husband claimed him as his best friend, and he’d endured much of the same domination as Claire. She couldn’t suppress her smile as tears trickled down her cheeks. “I offered to pay Courtney back. I can now.”
“ She told me. I agree with her. Please, keep your money. Watching and listening to Tony’s response when he learned of your unorthodox release, seeing him unable to control or influence the situation, more than made it worth every penny.”
“ If there is anything I can do for either of you…”
“ Actually, there is...” The two continued their conversation for almost an hour. Brent wanted to know all about Tony’s box. The information fascinated him. He also asked about the information she’d learned from their detective work. Brent vowed to do what he could from his end. He also explained the things he’d done to hurt Claire: the divorce with no financial compensation, his attitude when he visited her in prison, hiring a private detective to find her, and supporting Tony along the way.
Claire reassured Brent, she understood. He didn’t have a choice and she appreciated his current clandestine support. Fearfully, Claire asked Brent a question she’d contemplated of and on again for a while, “Is Jane Allyson all right? I mean, has Tony done anything to her?” Claire’s heart skipped a beat as her question met silence.
Finally, he answered, “She is, for now.”
“ Can you please elaborate?”
“ When we left her office, Tony voiced his displeasure.” Claire nodded, although Brent couldn’t possibly see her from Iowa. He went on, “I’ve tried on numerous occasions to remind him, if something would suddenly happen to her up-and-coming career, immediately following your petition for pardon, it would appear suspicious.”
Claire smiled; Brent knew the game. Tony’s kryptonite was
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