Consequences(252)

Valparaiso University Newsletter, 2005—during the time Claire was a student—the picture showed Anthony holding a giant check for five-million dollars. His donation to the university made additional scholarships possible.

Again, the buzzer buzzed. Although Claire had to wait to continue this journey, she was slowly understanding that her encounter with Anthony Rawlings in March of 2010 was predestined.


The next items were more actual snapshots—pictures taken at John and Emily’s wedding—a few even zoomed in on Claire. She was wearing the ugly sea foam green, maid-of-honor dress. Emily and John looked so young and happy—2005 and Claire were written on the backsides in familiar handwriting. Was he there, too?

Albany Post, 2006—Appointments to a local law firm. The second name listed was John Vandersol. The article discussed John both professionally and personally.

Another 2006 article—Rawlings Industries Continues to Diversify—it discussed the continued success of any venture Anthony Rawlings embarked upon. Rawlings Industries’ diversification included the recent purchase of TTT-TV a television broadcasting network.

Atlanta Daily Journal, 2009—TTT-TV acquired WKPZ. Although the acquisition resulted in multiple layoffs, Anthony Rawlings promised that as the economy improved, so would job opportunities. He stated that his dedication is to his employees. He is worried about each individual who was out of work.

Claire now saw—all of those people at WKPZ who were so nice to her—who helped her with her dream—all lost their jobs—because of her.


People Magazine, August 2010—Claire knew it immediately; it was the article that almost cost her—her life. She didn’t need to read it, but she did—Questions Answered—The Mystery Woman in Anthony Rawlings’s Life Agrees to a One-on-One Interview. These articles were no longer revelations, mere confirmations.

December 19, 2010—her wedding picture—It revealed a smiling her next to a smiling him. She recognized the picture, but the unfavorable article was new to her. It talked about how fantastic Anthony was and asked how such a smart businessman could be as gullible as to marry this woman with no prenuptial agreement?

Vanity Fair, April 2011—Anthony’s and her smiling face on the cover. It hit Claire at that moment—the woman in that picture didn’t even look like her. She was beautiful, blonde, sophisticated, elegant, and way too thin. Not until now, had she realized the magnitude of the transformation. She placed a picture of her from Emily’s wedding next to the magazine cover. She didn’t change—she was changed. Why hadn’t she seen it before?

November 2011—Copy of the printed newsreel Tony brought home—Tragic Accident Claims the Life of Young Gaming Phenomenon Simon Johnson.

Albany Post, January 2012—Column listing arrests: John Vandersol, 32, charged with embezzlement and fraudulent client billing charges, arraignment pending.

Iowa City News, January 2012—Headline—Anthony Rawlings Alive after Attempted Murder by New Wife. No wonder so many reporters were on the courthouse steps!

Iowa City News, April 2012—Claire Nichols (formally Rawlings) avoids trial by pleading no contest to the attempted-murder charge—accompanied by more unfavorable articles.

Iowa City News, July 2012—Headline—Anthony Rawlings’ Efforts to Save the Iowa Taxpayers Their Money—The picture, black and white, showed a warehouse full of tables lined with merchandise—jewelry, shoes, handbags, clothes, etc. The article explained how Anthony Rawlings, uncomfortable that the taxpayers of Iowa were held responsible for his ex-wife’s pretrial expenses, held an auction of her belongings. It raised enough money to reimburse the state for her counsel and court costs. There was even an additional 176 thousand dollars, which was donated to the Red Cross of Iowa. Mr. Rawlings explained that this charity remained dear to him because it was Claire’s pet charity. A strip of newspaper stapled behind the first, had another picture, a close-up of some of the jewelry. The picture was not large, but center frame was a black velvet box containing a white gold necklace with a large pearl centered on a white gold cross.