Consequences(162)

Claire thought for a moment. “Well, I can honestly say it never occurred to me to ask for such a thing, and obviously Emily doesn’t realize—I don’t have that kind of influence over you.”

His smile flashed—more unscrupulous this time. “Why, Mrs. Rawlings, I believe you’ve been known to be quite persuasive.”

The enlightening conversation was done. Claire had a lot to consider. She didn’t feel good about the probability of John being employed by Rawlings Industries; however, she’d been honest—both to Emily and Tony. That’s all she could do. Honesty was always the best policy—right?






Part of the happiness of life consists not in fighting battles, but in avoiding them. A masterly retreat is in itself a victory.



—Norman Vincent Peale





Chapter Thirty-Four


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The New Year began, and the routines of the past year continued. Tony left in the morning for work—Claire stayed home swimming in the indoor pool, working out in the gym, reading books, watching movies, and waiting for his return. She still relied on Catherine to inform her each evening of Tony’s plans. One change was that if he were in town—he always came to her suite. She may even be asleep—but he slept with her. Another change was that he personally informed her of any events, gatherings, or activities they would attend as a couple. Claire felt this was an improvement from Catherine’s last-minute information.

Together they attended two formal events in January. The University of Iowa held a banquet, preceded by cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, to recognize platinum donors. Mr. Anthony Rawlings—of course—was one of them. They also attended a political fund-raiser for the Iowa City District Attorney’s Office where a speaker spoke about the role of private industry in the nation’s financial recovery. Claire played her part well. She remembered all the rules of her first outing at the symphony. Now, as Anthony Rawlings’s wife, she didn’t need to be the perfect companion—she needed to be the perfect wife. She projected the persona well—beautiful, polite, contented, and appreciative.

Claire had been a newlywed over a month, and most of that time was spent wandering around her home. The continual snow and cold even restricted her from getting outside into the woods. She wondered about Courtney or Sue. Perhaps they didn’t want to see her. She hadn’t seen or talked to anyone since Emily, January 1. The walls of her beautiful home were closing in upon her.

When Tony worked from home, Claire joined him in his office—it wasn’t a requirement. She thought of it as a getaway from her normal routine. He mostly worked from Iowa City, but he also went out of town a few times. He said he wanted her with him on these business trips, but things were too busy. There would be no time for social activities, and she’d be bored. He decided it was better for her to stay home.

Claire felt increasingly claustrophobic, and Tony seemed completely unaware of her plight. Claire decided perhaps this qualified as one of those I’m a busy man. If you want something, you need to ask me situations. One night after Tony returned from a short stay in Chicago and the two lay in his dark suite, Claire decided to ask, “I would like to go with you on your next business trip.”

“I told you—things are busy—you’d be bored.”

“I’m bored now. I’ve barely been out of this house since our honeymoon. I’m going crazy.” She expected some realization, an apology for being so involved in business that he’d neglected his wife, perhaps some sweeping request for forgiveness. That wasn’t what she received. Abruptly, he turned. With his face only inches from hers, she felt his warm breath on her skin.