Consequences

by Aleatha Romig

  Claire heard the words but couldn’t comprehend their meaning. Her internal voice tried to replay the day: I dressed in what I was told, was in Tony’s office at the time he told me to be, and asked like a five-year-old if I could go outside. This morning I poured my husband a cup of coffee, the coffee he asked me to get. Now I am about to be charged with attempted murder?

  Another officer directed Claire to a cell. It was small, clean, and had a door that locked. She couldn’t sleep. She worried about Tony. There was no one at home that morning except them and the regular staff. Everyone had been with Tony for years and he implicitly trusted them. None of them would hurt him. She worried, had he regained consciousness? Was the poison in the coffee in the pot? Maybe it was in the cream? She wanted them to try to find the real criminal before he tried to hurt Tony again. Claire knew when he regained consciousness he would tell them she didn’t, couldn’t do this, and take her home.

  No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.

  —Eleanor Roosevelt

  Chapter 48

  Yesterday Claire drove in a luxurious Mercedes Benz all the way to St. Louis. The trip back to Iowa City wasn’t as comfortable. She rode in the back of a police wagon, wearing handcuffs and accompanied by a uniformed officer. The county courthouse steps were filled with reporters and photographers. She tried to shield her face. People were taking pictures from all directions and shouting questions: “Why did you try to kill your husband? Did you do it for the money? Did you think you would get away with it?” The police rushed her through the crowd and into the building.

  She heard their words with disbelief. How could they possibly be asking such questions? Claire worried about Emily. First John, now her, what must she be going through? Claire reassured herself once Tony woke up he would take care of everything.

  The officer took Claire to another room with a table. Marcus Evergreen entered. She recognized him immediately. He had attended her wedding and she accompanied Tony to one of his fund-raisers. Claire thought Tony donated to his campaign. “Mrs. Rawlings, I am Marcus Evergreen, chief prosecutor for Johnson County.”

  “Yes, Mr. Evergreen, I believe we have met.” Claire held out her hand. Mr. Evergreen didn’t accept it.

  “Yes, I believe we have. This, however, is a different situation. Mrs. Rawlings, I am currently holding a warrant for your arrest recently signed by Judge Reynolds. Just so you know, before we reach the district courtroom for your arraignment, you are being charged with the attempted murder of your husband, Anthony Rawlings.”

  “I want you to know I didn’t do such a thing. I wouldn’t do such a thing. How is Tony?” When Claire added the last question, Mr. Evergreen’s eyes dropped to the table. Claire’s heart sank. Oh my god, he’s dead! No, then he would have said “murder,” not “attempted.”

  “He is awake and conscious. He has given a statement to the police but will not be here today.”

  Claire was relieved to hear he was conscious, but she needed him to be here. He would help her and take her home. She wanted to explain things to him. He would be upset about the leaving and driving. There would be consequences, but he would know she would never try to kill him.

  “I am very happy he is better. Can you tell me what evidence there is against me?” Claire didn’t know how this worked, but she thought she needed to find out.

  “It will be discussed with you and your attorney after the arraignment.” He left the room.

  With her wrists once again in handcuffs, Claire was led into the courtroom. She watched the proceedings from a distance, seeing it all, yet not comprehending it as reality. Judge Reynolds spoke, asking questions of Mr. Evergreen. He explained that the state believed it had sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Mrs. Claire Rawlings did willfully and maliciously attempt to murder her husband Anthony Rawlings in an effort to profit financially. Furthermore, Mrs. Rawlings fled the scene of the crime and was found near St. Louis. Mrs. Rawlings had access to a passport and the financial ability to flee. Mr. Evergreen asked the judge to suspend bail.

  Judge Reynolds said, “Mrs. Rawlings, do you understand that you are being charged with a felony, attempted murder? And if convicted you could be sentenced to a federal penitentiary for a length not to exceed 162 months?”

  “Yes, Judge, I understand.” That wasn’t true—she didn’t understand.

  “Are you aware that you have the right to an attorney? If you cannot afford one, one can be appointed for you. You also have the right to a trial by a jury of your peers. You also are presumed innocent. It is the burden of the state to prove your guilt. Do you understand your rights?”

  “Yes, Judge, I understand.” Claire maintained eye contact with the bench. She had lots of practice maintaining eye contact in difficult situations.

  “Mrs. Rawlings, do you have an attorney?”

  “No, Judge, I do not. And I cannot afford one.”

  “The court will appoint one to you following the arraignment.” Judge Reynolds reviewed the file before her. “Due to the publicity and significance of the victim, I am setting bond at 5 million dollars. I am also scheduling a preliminary conference for eleven days from today, Tuesday, February 1. Next case . . .” Her gavel struck the bench, echoing throughout the courtroom.

  A guard escorted Claire to a holding cell. She sat in the ten-by-seven cube waiting for her attorney. The seclusion should have upset her, but she was too confused to focus. They said that once her attorney arrived her bond could be posted and she could leave. Claire knew that wasn’t going to happen. She didn’t have enough money for a sandwich at McDonald’s much less 2.5 million dollars for bond.

  It was after 3:00 p.m. before she was once again taken to the small table room. A short while later the door opened and a young man, Paul Task, entered, carrying a briefcase, laptop, and wearing a cheap suit. Claire’s first thought was that he looked more like a high school student than an attorney. “Hello, Mrs. Rawlings, I am your attorney Paul Task. I just want you to know that I am so honored to work on your case. Mr. Rawlings has long been an inspiration to us in Iowa City. Everyone has so much respect for him. Why did you try to kill him? Was it because you don’t have a prenuptial agreement? I mean, for the money?”

  “No! I didn’t do this. It is a terrible misunderstanding. I know that once my husband is better he will help me. He knows I wouldn’t do this to him.”

  “Yes, of course, Mrs. Rawlings—”

  After Mr. Task informed the court that Mrs. Rawlings wouldn’t be able to post bond, she was officially charged with a felony. They took her personal property, her jewelry and clothes. They took her picture, her fingerprints, and did a chemical test on her hands. A female officer offered her a prison jumpsuit, underwear, and a bra. Claire accepted it all.

  For the next five days Claire waited and responded appropriately to her counsel. She met daily with Paul Task and his associate Jane Allyson. They asked questions and she maintained her innocence. She told them repeatedly the events of the morning in question. She never broke Tony’s rules. When he came to save her, she would be able to tell him she maintained his confidence. She would explain to him that she drove away. But she had decided to turn around. She hadn’t left him but only left the estate for a while. She would apologize, accept his punishment, and life could resume.

  She wondered who poisoned Tony. That answer could save her from 162 months in prison. Unfortunately, the evidence pointed to Claire. She gave Tony the mug of coffee at approximately 11:00 a.m. In plain view of fifteen people via a Rawlings Industries web conference, he took a drink and suddenly lost consciousness. The video footage from their home security showed Claire pouring coffee in the kitchen and carrying the coffee to his office. The desk area wasn’t covered by cameras, but Claire was seen walking away from the desk without the mug.

  To make this evidence worse, there was video from the garage of Claire telling Eric to go to Iowa City to get paperwork from Mr. Rawlings’s office. Anthony’s secr
etary Patricia provided a sworn statement that she didn’t have contracts for Mr. Rawlings, and furthermore she hadn’t spoken to him that morning. Being Tony’s primary source of transportation, having Eric gone would help ensure that the poison would have time to work. The same camera in the garage captured Claire taking the keys to the Mercedes and hurrying to the car. The significance of this car is that it was the only car in the garage registered under the name Claire Rawlings.

  Claire was shocked. “It can’t be registered in my name. I don’t drive.” Paul showed her a copy of the registration. The same one she handed to the policeman but hadn’t read. According to the dealership, Mr. Rawlings came in himself, paid cash. It was his wife’s Christmas present and had less than a thousand miles on it.

  Her statement regarding no valid driver’s license also proved erroneous. Apparently, she did have an “identification card” with the name Claire Rawlings, but her “driver’s license” from Georgia under the name Claire Nichols was still valid. Paul couldn’t understand how Claire wouldn’t know. She tried to explain, “Tony did everything.” Paul didn’t understand and told her that a jury would also have difficulty.

  Iowa furnished Claire with clothes for the preexamination conference. The court ordered preliminary conference remained six days away. This meeting would set the tone and direction for the conference. It was usually attended by the prosecuting attorneys, the defense attorneys, and the defendant, Claire. However, unbeknownst to the defendant, the victim requested to make an appearance. The judge agreed. The goal of this meeting was to determine if a trial can be avoided and an agreement made. The victim convinced the judge that he could help facilitate that end.

  Mr. Evergreen and two of his associates sat opposite Claire and her team, Paul Task and his cocouncil Jane Allyson, at a large table covered in documents and laptops. The conference was about to begin when her heart skipped a beat. She saw him through the window of the door. She saw his profile: strong, handsome, and inflexible. She watched as he spoke to someone in the hall, turned the door handle, and entered.

  Mr. Evergreen and Paul were talking, but as the door opened everyone became silent. The entire room turned to acknowledge the entrance of Mr. Anthony Rawlings. Mr. Evergreen stood. “Mr. Rawlings, I thought we discussed this and you were not to attend this conference.”

  “Mr. Evergreen.” the two men shook hands. Claire involuntarily trembled. If only she had known he was going to be there. “I appreciate everyone’s concern for my safety. I will repeat to you what I told Judge Reynolds, I don’t believe my wife is a threat to my well-being. I believe if we can have a few moments alone we can save the taxpayers of Iowa the cost of a lengthy trial, and this court some time. Judge Reynolds has agreed to my request.” Tony’s command of this situation was obvious. It sounded as though he just asked the others to leave the room, but in reality it had been a mandate.

  Mr. Evergreen and his team began to move their chairs and stand to leave. Paul and Jane whispered to one another as Paul stood. He leaned to Claire. “I will confirm that this has been approved by Judge Reynolds.” Then speaking to Tony, doing his best to appear professional, however, obviously intimidated by Tony’s mere presence. “Mr. Rawlings, I will need to confirm that Judge Reynolds has indeed approved this visit. In situations such as this—” Tony’s height loomed over Paul as he interrupted and handed Paul a paper from his breast pocket.

  “Of course, Mr. Task, I would have expected no less. Here is the good judge’s written approval.” Paul took the paper and scanned its contents.

  “Mrs. Rawlings, it appears to be in order.” The men started to walk toward the door. Jane didn’t move. She was the only member of either team to notice Claire’s physical reaction. She sat looking at her notes, at Claire, and at Tony. The silence intensified.

  Finally, Jane rose and met Tony’s eyes. “Mr. Rawlings.”

  “Ms. Allyson.” they nodded.

  “Mr. Rawlings, this is unexpected. I would like to speak to our client for a few moments and determine her desire regarding this meeting. If you would please step into the hall with Mr. Evergreen and his team, Mr. Task and I will discuss this new situation with Mrs. Rawlings.” Tony started to speak, but Jane continued with conviction in her tone. “And then, if Mrs. Rawlings agrees to your meeting it may proceed under her conditions.” Claire felt a newfound appreciation for her young co-counsel.

  Mr. Evergreen placed his hand on Tony’s arm and nodded. Tony looked directly at Claire. His dark eyes took her breath away. She hadn’t seen those eyes in almost a week. They filled her with intense emotions, both love and hate. He slowly agreed with a broad smile. Everyone else left the room, leaving Paul, Jane, and Claire alone. Claire remembered to breathe.

  Paul started, “Claire, you don’t have to do this. But if you don’t, it will look like you are not interested in the taxpayers.” She wasn’t. “It isn’t just that. The fact he is willing to talk to you, the person accused of his attempted murder, makes him appear honorable and forgiving. If you refuse . . .” Claire listened, but her mind whirled. She believed that Tony knew she wouldn’t do this. Maybe he wanted to take her home, drop the charges, and forget the whole thing. If she left with him today, she would be out of that cell. She would be home!

  Jane touched Claire’s arm. Claire turned to her attorney’s concerned expression. “Claire, I think it is completely up to you. Everything that Paul said is true, but none of it matters. You started to shake when he walked in the room. If you want, Paul and I,” she looked at Paul, who didn’t appear as strong as Jane, “or just me, would be willing to stay in here with you.”

  Claire found her voice. “That isn’t what he said. He wants to talk to me alone.”

  “Claire, what he wants is not the issue.” Her voice supportive and strong. “What do you want?”

  “I want this to be over.” She looked into Jane’s eyes. “I didn’t do it.” Jane didn’t speak but lifted her brows. Claire straightened her back, stiffened her neck, and lifted her chin. “I want to talk to him.”

  Paul said he would get him. Jane leaned close. “Do you want me to stay?” Claire exhaled, she had kept his secrets, she hadn’t told people what she went through, and she needed him to know that.

  “No, I want to talk to him alone.”

  Jane smiled and squeezed Claire’s arm. “It will be all right. Just know you need to discuss any deal with us before it can be initiated. We will be right outside the door.” Claire said she understood and suddenly thought about her appearance.

  Claire’s counsel exited as Tony entered. They nodded to one another. Tony shut the door and turned to Claire. She watched as he walked to the table. He looked handsome, fit, and healthy. Relief filled her soul, seeing that the attempted murder hadn’t caused him harm.

  “Tony, I am so glad you are all right.” She reached across the table. He took her petite hands in his. Claire continued, “You know I would never hurt you?” His eyes showed the smallest amount of brown.

  “It certainly appears that you did.” She shook her head and felt tears. He continued, “You handed me the coffee, there was poison in the coffee.”

  “You told me to get you coffee. I have thought about it a million times. There must have been poison in the coffee already, or in the cream. I just don’t know.” She felt his stare as she continued to speak, “I don’t know who would do this. The only other people at home were staff, staff you have employed for years. But it should be on surveillance. You have cameras in the kitchen—”

  He interrupted. “All evidence points to you. Then there is the way you ran to the car and drove away.”

  She lowered her eyes, she had disobeyed him. She knew not to drive. “I’m sorry.” The tears teetered on her lower lids. “It was impulsive. I knew not to take one of the cars. But I saw the keys, I hadn’t had the opportunity in so long, the sky was so blue, and you had been . . . well, life had been unpredictable and I felt like I was suffocating. I just needed a reprieve, a small break. But hon
estly, Tony, I was about to turn around to come home. I want to be home. I want to be with you.”

  He lifted her chin. “Claire, how are your accommodations?” The tears slipped off the lids and onto her cheeks. She didn’t reply. Her thoughts were again spinning. His voice was so low, no one else could hear. “Consequences, appearances, I thought you learned your lessons better.”

  “Tony, please take me home. I promise I will never disappoint you again. Please tell them that you know I wouldn’t, couldn’t do this.” His black eyes penetrated but she pushed on, “I know there will be consequences and punishment. I don’t care, as long as you are all right. I just want to go home. Please.” Begging wasn’t planned, but she wanted to be home. “Please, they will listen to you.”

  Expecting his expression to contain compassion, she was disappointed. “The entire thing seems to be a colossal accident. However, I have done some research. It seems that you can plead insanity and receive treatment instead of incarceration.”

  She sprung from her chair and started to pace. “What are you saying? I’m not pleading insanity. That means guilty and crazy. I’m neither!” She turned to look at him. “And this wasn’t an accident. I didn’t try to kill you!”

  He stood and moved very close, looking down at her. “I have found a mental hospital that is willing to accept you. I will pay the expenses so that the taxpayers are not responsible for your lack of judgment.”

  “I have been here for over a week. I’ve been questioned over and over. I haven’t divulged any private information. I have followed all the rules. The only thing I did against your rules is drive a car. That is it!”

  “This plea will avoid a trial. It is understandable. You came from a modest background. The life we shared had pressures and responsibilities, with entertaining, charities, and reporters, it is understandable. You just couldn’t handle it.” Claire sat down, feeling increasingly ill. Tony walked over to her, bending down to maintain eye contact. “I should have recognized the signs. Perhaps I was too busy with work. When you canceled your charity obligations recently, I should have realized how overwhelmed you felt.” Claire listened as he spoke. It was his expression, a grin, one she recalled from a masquerade dinner almost two years ago that spoke louder than his words. “You wanted out, and in a moment of weakness—no, in a moment of insanity, you decided that the only way out was to try to kill me.” She watched him. This was a prepared speech. Oh my god! “I am only thankful you underestimated the amount of poison needed or you may have succeeded.”