Truth

realized he didn’t want or need that. He wanted her. Relishing the soft sheets of the guestroom bed, Sophia drifted back to sleep.
     
     

 
     
     
    Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. -- Confucius
     
    Chapter 22
     
    Claire reread the email:
     
    To: Claire Nichols
    Date: May 8, 2013
    Subject: Printed Retraction
    From: Meredith Banks
    Claire, here is the final copy of the retraction we discussed. It will appear in coming issues of People, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and various on-line publications. There is always potential, in this mass media world, for it to be picked-up by other sources. I hope you find this final draft acceptable. If I do not hear from you, it will be submitted. Therefore, if you request changes, please contact me immediately. I look forward to furthering this agreement. I appreciate your decision to work with me on this endeavor. I promise to represent your interests to the best of my ability. Meredith
     
    Claire clicked the attachment:
     
    “ Journalist Seeks Redemption”
    In pursuit of stories, many reporters and journalists close the gap between perceived and truth. We make this jump for the benefit of our readers. In September of 2010, I made such a leap in an article I wrote concerning Claire Nichols and Anthony Rawlings. There were speculations regarding a relationship between this unlikely couple. I used my familiarity with Ms. Nichols to learn more. I spoke to Ms. Nichols in Chicago; it was not an official interview. I purposely made myself available to an old friend and asked to chat . Following that discussion, I wrote a story insinuating a connection between Nichols and Rawlings. While that connection proved in time to be accurate, I am publically declaring Ms. Claire Nichols did not reveal the relationship to me during our chat.
    She has, however, promised me exclusive rights to her story, promising an enlightening view into the world of her true relationship with one of this country’s wealthiest men, as well as the truth about her arrest, plea, incarceration and unconventional release. Please stay tuned, the wait will be worth it!
    Meredith Banks, Independent Correspondent
     
    Still dressed in her work-out clothes and sipping coffee, Claire approvingly read the attachment. Savoring the warm liquid, she considered the implications and wondered if she’d hear from her ex-husband. No, Claire wondered when she’d hear from him. She hadn’t heard his voice since he left Amber’s condominium nearly two weeks ago. And although Harry continued to declare her paranoid regarding Anthony’s influence, she knew in her heart, Tony’s power was limitless.
    Thankfully, the inspection of the SiJo Gaming air fleet came up clean. There were no signs of tampering with any of the company’s aircraft. Emily and John were well and would soon be in California for a visit. And, Amber and Harry remained accident free.
    Claire conceded she may have an active imagination. Smiling, she remembered finding her black lace panties inside her yoga pants after a very vivid dream. For a moment she’d actually thought it could have been real. Nonetheless, Claire’s great imagination didn’t nullify Tony’s influence.
    To save her friends, Claire offered again to find her own place to live. However, honestly she didn’t want to live alone. Isolation reminded her too much of her cell in the Iowa Penitentiary or her suite at Tony’s estate. Therefore, as long as Amber consented to Claire’s presence, she’d stay. Claire justified: if I move because of Tony, I’m giving him power . She refused to relinquish her power; she’d done that before.
    Breathing a sigh of relief, Claire realized the attached article wouldn’t hit the newsstands for a couple of days. Quickly, she fired back a response, approving the attachment and thanking Meredith for the advanced notice. Claire also sent her cell number and asked Meredith to call to schedule their interviews. The last time they spoke, Meredith suggested the possibility of doing a series of articles. It all depended on the extent of information Claire would reveal.
    Claire decided the articles would concentrate on her life with Tony, not his hidden past. She didn’t believe it was her place to disclose that information. For some reason, someone wanted her to know his secret history. If they didn’t, she wouldn’t have received the mysterious box. Although, Claire struggled to understand the reasoning, she didn’t feel