Truth

ex-husband.”
    Claire ingested her words, it made sense. She reasoned, if Tony knew someone helped in her release, who knows what he might do. Then she registered every word, “Initially? Jane, what do you mean initially?”
    As Jane answered, her Toyota headed south toward the Des Moines International Airport. “I have to admit, I’ve had another thought.” Claire didn’t speak, but listened and watched. Jane continued, “What if the petition, letter, and money came from an unlikely source, someone to whom $100,000 was nothing?”
    Claire’s emerald eyes opened wider. The elation which had filled her lungs evaporated. No longer involuntary, breathing required thought. She stammered, “You think it was Tony?” Claire fought an onset of nausea, “Why would he do that?”
    “ I really don’t know. I just know the best thing is to get you out of Iowa especially before the press frenzy begins.”
    Claire hugged her belongings close to her thumping chest. As she remembered the unrelenting press and more importantly her ex-husband, old fears made her heart to race. Looking again at Jane, Claire noticed Jane’s eyes darting between the landscape ahead and the one behind in the rearview mirror. What if Tony or someone else were following her? Claire replied, “Yes, please, let’s do that.”
     
    The American Airlines’ agent at the counter didn’t question Claire’s Iowa state issued identification. Within minutes she handed Claire her boarding pass -- a nonstop first class ticket to San Francisco, departing in ninety minutes.
    Each step toward the concourse removed a little of Claire’s heaviness. Although the anxiety and apprehension she’d experienced under Tony’s rule knocked at the door of Claire’s heart and soul, she tried desperately to suppress those fears. Her counsel’s attention and kindness helped to alleviate the burden. Claire truly didn’t have time to process her sudden freedom. Turning toward Jane, she inquired, “Tell me again about the pardon. Do I need to check in with anyone?”
    Jane explained, “Everything associated with the charge of attempted murder is now gone. The arrest, plea, incarceration… it’s all gone. Your record will appear as though it never occurred.” She emphasized, “Claire, the last fourteen months never happened.”
    “ Thirty-six.” Claire corrected.
    Jane looked into her client’s eyes. She saw the victim’s eyes of over a year ago, not the eyes of an attempted murderer. The sadness combined with confusion told Jane, release wouldn’t be that simple. Removing Claire from the walls of Iowa’s Correctional Institution for Women was easier than removing the past thirty-six months from her memories. There was nothing Jane could say. Getting Claire safely out of Iowa was her only goal. “Please take care of yourself.” Jane said as she pulled an envelope and a card out of her purse. “Here is my card with my cell and office number as well as email. If I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me. And in this envelope are a few things I believe should belong to you.”
    Claire took the items from her attorney and slowly opened the envelope. Staring back at her was fifty dollars in ten dollar bills and a cashier’s check made out to cash for $100,000. “No, Jane. I can’t accept this. This is for you. It’s your payment for helping me.”
    “ The cash will help with incidentals until you reach your friend. And, as for the check, it’s a ridiculous amount of money for a few hours’ work. You get settled. When you can, send me an appropriate payment for my services. Consider it seed money to start your new life.”
    “ But we don’t know who it’s from.”
    “ No, we don’t. If perhaps it’s from whom we suspect, wouldn’t he be happy to learn it went to you?”
    Slowly Claire’s lips turned upward; she shook her head. “No. No, he wouldn’t.” Claire scanned the mingling crowd for a familiar face. Exhaling with relief at the sea of strangers, Claire continued, “And for that reason, I accept.” The two women embraced. “Thank you, Jane, for everything.”
    Claire straightened her shoulders, and turned toward the gate. It’d been sometime since she’d flown commercial, but she knew Jane wasn’t allowed past security without a boarding pass. Thankfully, no one else would be either.
     
    Jane watched as Claire passed the TSA agents and disappeared into the crowd of bodies. With an audible sigh, Jane