Breathless (70 page)

Phil nodded. “We’ve traced this one. It’s a cheaper version, made by a company that takes online and mail orders. They even advertise in magazines. The person who placed the order used your name and address. The credit card was a refillable card purchased in New York with cash.”

Claire had researched some of the less expensive doll-makers. Even they required a picture. Through the years, Emily and John, and more recently, Tony and Claire, had done their best to keep Nichol’s picture out of the media. “That still means they know what Nichol looks like, that they have her picture.” His words continued to process. “New York?” Claire asked. “Where in New York?”

“New York City.”

“We’re planning on taking Nichol there next month. We have tickets to see
The
Lion King
.”

“New York City is huge. Between Eric, me, and the rest of the security detail, no one will come near you or Nichol. Don’t even concern yourself with it.”

Standing taller, Claire assessed the situation. “Thank you.”

“I haven’t done anything.”

Her green eyes shimmered. “You know that isn’t true. You’ve done a lot, and I believe you’re not done. I told Tony that I loved the feeling of security on the island. That’s true. But in reality, it isn’t just the island. It’s him, it’s you, it’s Eric, and it’s everyone. We’re truly blessed to have so many people who sincerely care about our well-being. Whatever you need, ever, it’s yours.”

Phil nodded. “I need to look at your mail.”

As Claire was about to leave the office, she asked, “Would you like some coffee? I was sincere when I said that we need to catch up. Things have been wild with the trip to the island.”

“Maybe another time,” Phil said. “I want to go through the mail, get out of your way, and go have a few words with the person who delivered it to you before letting me see it. I think it would be better if I get to him before Rawlings.”

Her smile broadened. “See, that’s another reason why I trust you. You’re always a step ahead.”

***

LATER THAT NIGHT, Claire glared at her husband as they made their way into their private suite.

“You know, you’re not nearly as good at hiding your anger as you used to be,” Tony said with a devilish grin.

“Well, maybe it’s because I’m not trying to hide it.”

“I’ve been home for hours. We’ve had dinner with Nichol and had a snowball fight in the backyard. I have no idea what you’re upset about.” He cocked his head to the side. “It’s that you lost the snowball fight, isn’t it?”

Claire put her hands on her hips. “No. It isn’t about the snowball fight. Besides, I didn’t lose. It isn’t even what you’ve done. It’s what you didn’t do.” She stood taller. “We promised to be honest. You haven’t been honest.”

Tony’s brows knit together. “I believe I’m at a disadvantage in this conversation. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Think, Tony. Did something happen while we were in paradise that you forgot to mention?”

“Damn Roach,” Tony muttered under his breath.

“No, don’t blame him. It’s you who dropped the ball. Phil thought I already knew. He said that you said you’d tell me.” Her volume rose. “Nichol is my daughter too. Tell me, Tony. Tell me why I didn’t know about her birthday gift from the psycho person?”

He collapsed onto the soft leather sofa in front of the fireplace. This was a much different atmosphere than the one only a night ago in the same room. “I was going to tell you, but the time was never right.”

She paced the open space. “I agree. There’s never a good time to say, oh, by the way, the psycho lunatic who’s sending you cards and packages is now addressing them to our daughter. Nevertheless, just say it.”

Tony reached for Claire’s hand and tugged her toward him. “It was her birthday, Christmas, and as you may recall, we were almost constantly surrounded by people, lots of people.” He pulled his wife down onto his lap.

“No, Tony.” She stiffened as he held her near. “I’m mad at you. I don’t want you to change the subject. I want you to be totally open with me. If you’re not...Well, I don’t know.”

His arms wrapped around her as she yielded her position and settled against his chest. The rhythmic breathing and steady heartbeat against her back served as a constant drumming that relaxed her nerves and calmed her anxiety. His lips brushed her neck. “I am honest. I was going to say something. The time just wasn’t right. We need more time like this, more time alone.”

Claire turned in his embrace. She wanted to see his emotions: she needed to know he took this as seriously as she. “The doll, it was one of those twin ones. Tony, before I ordered Nichol’s I looked at all the different companies. They all require pictures. This person has pictures of Nichol. If she didn’t, she couldn’t have had the doll made.”

With each word his eyes darkened.

Claire continued, “I know it can’t be proven as a threat, but I think it was meant that way. This woman is telling us that she knows what Nichol looks like. She knows her birthday.”

“I know all of that. Roach, Eric, and I’ve talked about it. Roach has been in contact with the FBI. They know all of this. We’re doing all we can do. You aren’t going anywhere without me or Roach; neither is Nichol.”

“What about New York?” Claire asked.

“Roach told me that the credit card was purchased there.” Tony replied as he looked deeply into her eyes. “If you don’t want to go next month, we won’t.”

“We already have tickets—”

“I don’t give a damn about a few tickets. Hell, we’ll go back to paradise if that’s what you want.”

Exhaling, Claire lost her battle, allowing her anger to fade away and melting into her husband’s embrace. Sighing, she said, “No. If we do that, this woman wins. That’s not happening.”

“I’ve been thinking about something, ever since that gift. I’ve talked a little to Roach about it, but I wanted to talk to you.”

Claire turned back around to face her husband. She tried to read his expression: apprehension. That was what she saw. “What?” she asked.

“I’m thinking about adding another member to our intimate security.”

She shook her head. “No.”

“You haven’t even heard my idea.”

“Tony, I want family time. I want it to be just us. I’m comfortable with Phil and Eric. We also have Shannon. I don’t want anyone else.”

“I was thinking about a woman. There are some incredibly qualified female ex-military or ex-field agents who could be with you when Phil can’t.”

Claire shrugged. “When Phil can’t, you can. I don’t know if you remember, but I spent over a month alone with Phil. There aren’t a lot of secrets.”

Tony bristled. “I’m aware. This woman won’t replace him: she’ll assist him.”

“You’ve already made up your mind, haven’t you?” She fell back onto his chest in defeat. This openness was all for show. Her husband was the same man he’d always been. Only his decision mattered.

“No,” he whispered. “I haven’t. I’ve only discussed it with Phil. If you don’t want this, we won’t do it. I just thought there might be times when you and I, and Nichol may all need to go in different directions. This woman could help with that too.” His lips brushed her hair as the scent of his cologne wafted through the air. “I love you. I love Nichol. I worry about both of you. Your safety and security are my primary concern.”

The newfound tension eased from her muscles as she became liquid against him. “Really? You haven’t already started hiring someone. You truly want my input?”

“Really,” he whispered, as he nuzzled her collarbone.

Allowing him more access, Claire tilted her head and closed her eyes. His prickly cheeks abraded her soft skin. The sensation was like a spark to dry kindling. It warmed her, infusing her with the fire of desire she’d purposely tried to subdue. “Can I think about it?” she asked.

He nodded, striking the match with each movement of his head. Below her, his intention grew as her internal flames intensified. “If that’s what you want to do...” His words came breathily against her exposed skin. “...then by all means, my dear, think.”

Thinking was not what she wanted to do at the moment.

Chapter 4

January 2017

Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future.

—Corrie Ten Boom

“SO WHAT DO you think of her?” Emily whispered as they stood on the shore of the frozen lake watching the mayhem of activity.

“I think she seems nice,” Claire replied, glancing at Taylor, the new addition to their security detail.

Emily shrugged. “
Nice
doesn’t seem like the description of a bodyguard. That is her job description, isn’t it? I mean, she looks awfully petite for a badass. Shouldn’t she be like that knight lady on that TV show? You know the one who’s about seven feet tall.”

Claire laughed and shook her head. Taylor definitely wasn’t seven feet tall. She was probably only a little taller than Claire, about five-foot-five or -six. Her long, dark hair was usually wrapped in a low bun, and her clothes were professional. She’d only been working with the Rawlingses for a week, but she seemed to blend well. The most important thing to Claire was that she got along well with Nichol. “I don’t know what she
should
be. She had the best references. Tony and I like her, and Phil was impressed with her resume. I guess that makes her worth a try.”

“Well, I don’t know how you deal with having all these other people around all the time.”

It was Claire’s turn to shrug. “They aren’t always around and sometimes when they are, you don’t even realize it. That’s their job.” She thought about how Phil had been watching and protecting Nichol without Emily or John’s knowledge for years. That little secret brought a smile to Claire’s face.

“I guess if you’re all right with it.” Emily leaned closer. “Did you even have any input in the matter? Or was it all decided for you?”

Claire turned indignantly. “Yes, Em, I had input. It was Tony’s idea, and at first, I wasn’t on board. But then I kept thinking about Nichol. I’ll take a little less privacy to assure her safety any day of the week.”

“But like now...why are they here? We’re on your property...” Emily looked around at the frozen lake, snow-covered ground, and bare trees. “...in the middle of nowhere.”

Claire and Tony had agreed with law-enforcement to keep all the information about the threatening mailings private. No one outside of their security and staff knew about them. The FBI explained that the fewer people in the know, the better chance they had of finding the culprit or culprits. Though they hadn’t received any
Rawls-Nichols
mailings since Nichol’s birthday, there had been some letters addressed to Claire. After analysis, these new mailings were found to have male DNA. The writing was inconsistent, but the message was the same:
I will save you
. Neither Claire nor Tony knew what that meant.

“Part of it is for Nichol,” Claire explained. “The more she’s used to them being around, the more comfortable she’ll be if she ever needs their help or protection.”

Emily shuffled her boot-clad feet. “Claire, I didn’t know that she needed that kind of protection.” Her voice softened. “I’m sorry. We did our best to keep her safe.”

Claire reached for her sister’s arm. “Stop that! You did great. You kept her out of the public eye. Look at her. She’s perfect and she
is
safe. Things are just different now with Tony and I. Tony’s work puts him more into the limelight. You know we don’t like that part. We never have. And, well, with Meredith’s book, there are still people who think they know us. Eric, Phil, and Taylor are our first line of defense. The more we include them in our activities, the more natural it is for Nichol.”

“I get it,” Emily admitted. Just then the shrill expressions of glee came from the ice.

“Look, Momma!” Nichol yelled, as she and Michael performed their ice-skating wonders accompanied by their nannies and their fathers.

“I see, sweetie. You’re doing great!” Claire replied.

“Claire, you should go back out there with them. I don’t mind. I just don’t think in my condition I should be on thin pieces of metal.”

“Of course you shouldn’t.” Claire looked down at her own skate-encased feet. “Can I tell you a secret?”

Emily leaned closer. “Sure. What?”

“I was so excited about this, about skating, but now that we’ve done it a few times, I’m totally over it. I want to spend my time here swimming, not skating.”

Emily snickered. “Well, I think it’s too late. I mean, look at our husbands! I can’t believe you got them both out there on skates.”

“I don’t think I can take all the credit. Nichol and Michael were pretty persuasive. The thing is...Tony’s doing better at this than I am. I mean, seriously, I don’t think there’s anything he can’t do. It makes me sick.”

“That’s because you’re sitting here with me. Go on out there. Show them how it’s really done.”

When Claire looked back to the ice, she saw Tony’s eyes looking directly at her. Turning back to Emily, she said, “If you’re sure you’re all right?”

Giving her sister a playful push, Emily replied, “I’m fine. Go!”

Walking on the snow with ice skates was not the most graceful Claire had ever been. Honestly, walking in five-inch Jimmy Choo heels was easier than skates. However, once she reached the cleared ice, Claire easily glided toward her family.

“There’s my beautiful wife,” Tony declared in his deep baritone voice as he reached for her hand. “I thought perhaps this was some grand scheme: get me out here on skates and then slip away.”

“I wouldn’t do that,” Claire quipped. “I feel bad for Emily, not being able to participate.”

“She’s enjoying watching Michael, and watching me make a fool out of myself,” John said.

Claire nodded.

“Aunt Care, wook at us,” Michael shouted as he and Nichol held hands and tried to skate in a circle. Within seconds they were a giggling pile of snowsuit-covered arms and legs.

“I think we need to work on that,” Shannon said as she helped the two children stand.

“The winter Olympics is probably not in their future,” Tony whispered with a grin.

By the time they all made it back to the house, it was almost dark. After only a short distance, both children convinced their fathers to carry them. Claire was pretty sure that Nichol had even napped a little during the hike.