Consequences(251)

A short newspaper clip dated 1989 indicated Nathanial Rawls—dead at sixty-eight years of age. Mr. Rawls died after only twenty-two months in a minimum-security facility. The cause of death was a massive heart attack.

The buzzer buzzed. Claire didn’t want to stop reading. She thought she should grasp some revelation, but other than that Tony’s name had been Anton Rawls before Anthony Rawlings—she didn’t see it. She had to follow the rules, so she put the articles away and turned off her lights.


Her journey resumed the following morning after breakfast. Copies of court documents from New York State vs. Nathaniel Rawls were the next items in the box. Though lengthy, after time, Claire realized a few key testimonies aided in the conviction of Mr. Rawls—first, from his son Samuel, who had turned state’s witness—second, from an undercover FBI agent embedded in the corporation for two years, and—lastly, a securities investigator. Accompanying these documents was a report stamped Top Secret. It gave the unreleased names of the strategic individuals: securities investigator was Jonathon Burke and the FBI Agent was Sherman Nichols—Claire’s grandfather.

Though warm in her temperature controlled cell, Claire suddenly felt a shiver. The next discovery was a newspaper article also dated 1989—Samuel and Amanda Rawls found dead in their rented Santa Monica bungalow, bodies discovered by their twenty-three-year-old son. Based on the evidence from the scene, it appeared to be a case of murder/suicide. Claire thought back, Tony mentioned his parents’ death was an accident—that seems to be an all-encompassing word.

NYU News, 1990—While completing their master’s degrees, Anthony Rawlings and Jonas Smithers file the necessary paperwork to begin their own corporation—Company Smithers Rawlings—CSR. The article said CSR was set to be an intricate piece of the Internet pie.

New York Times article, 1994—Anthony Rawlings buys out his friend and partner Jonas Smithers for 4 million dollars. CSR was now Rawlings Industries. The New York Times predicted it was on its way to being an Internet giant.

Newsweek, 1996—Rawlings Industries begins to diversify. Anthony Rawlings stated that he was determined to not have all his eggs in one basket. Recent diversifications have included entertainment and transportation.

Time magazine, 2003—One of the men mentioned as a runner-up for Man of the Year—Anthony Rawlings. This designation came mainly because of his dedication to people—evidenced by Rawlings Industries’ recognition as one of the top ten philanthropic companies in the nation. Mr. Rawlings was quoted as saying, “I plan to spend my life and fortune looking for opportunities to amend my grandfather’s life. Every person is important.”

Indianapolis Star and News, 2004—Obituary of Jordan and Shirley Nichols—Claire felt ill as she read the accompanying article with a different mind-set than that of a grieving child. It talked about the unfortunate accident which claimed their lives, about her father’s police service and full police honors as tribute, and her mother’s devotion to her family and teaching. The accident was believed to be caused by wet roads and newly fallen leaves. Photographs taken at the gravesite were clipped to the obituary. One was of John embracing Emily—John and Emily was handwritten on the back—and another of Claire sitting alone—Claire handwritten on the back. Claire immediately recognized the handwriting. Words came back to her, “Because I wasn’t able to support you when your parents died—you had to go through your parents’ death alone. Emily had John, but you didn’t have anyone.” With a sudden sickness Claire realized Tony was there and saw her grief first hand.