“It seems that your friend blogged about your impending disclosure.”
“Yes, I read that.”
“We discussed this yesterday. I was under the impression we’d reached an agreement.”
Claire reached up and touched the pearl dangling daintily from her neck. “As I recall our agreement states the articles won’t be printed, unless something happens to me or someone associated with me.” She attempted to maintain her businesslike tone. “I said I would go on with the interviews.”
Sarcastically he asked, “Tell me Claire, do you expect bodyguards for everyone? I’ll need a list of names.”
She shook her head, “I expect distance and respect.”
“And I expect my directives to be followed.” Claire recognized the change in Tony’s tone. It was harder with increased volume. “Her blog no longer exists.”
“That’s unreasonable.” She replied, “She didn’t know anything about your directive. I haven’t had the chance to speak with her.”
“That’s your undoing, not mine.”
“Actually, I beg to differ. I was upset by your visit last night, more accurately by your gift. Instead of calling, I fell asleep. By the time I woke, she wasn’t available and the blog was viral.” As Claire spoke, she powered-up her iPad and searched for Meredith’s blog. The web address she’d used earlier was met with the Error Response: Server not found. “Shit, Tony, what have you done?”
“I believe I presented you with a sign of commitment, and now I have presented you with a warning. Following my rules isn’t optional. I expect you to remember that, if you want your requests to be considered.”
Claire’s blood boiled. She remembered his rules and his redundant lectures regarding those rules. However, as much as she wanted to argue and fight, she wanted her loved ones safe, and John’s law license reinstated. With great effort, Claire’s voice strained with projected compliance, “I will speak with Meredith this evening. Nothing more will appear in print or on-line as long as people stay safe and John gets his license.”
“Your second request will take some time.”
“Tony, it wasn’t a request.”
“Your bravado is appreciated, but I won’t be swindled. I don’t make mistakes or unsubstantiated threats. It would do you well to keep that in mind.”
“From business metaphors to chess, the thing is, for a swindle to have occurred I would need to be losing. On the contrary, I’m in California and you’re in Iowa. I would say I have the initiative.”
“Well, I see your weakness, your hole, and I’m confident that you’ll blunder. The queen will be mine.”
“Yes, I know the term. Now, didn’t you tell me last night that I continually exceed your expectations?” She didn’t wait for a response. “I think you’ve forgotten -- to win at the game of chess it isn’t the queen you seek, but the king.”
“You may consider Meredith’s blog to be a gambit, but I doubt she shares your point of view. I look forward to the end-game.”
Claire sighed, “I will talk with her tonight.”
“By the way, I like the black bathing suit, but I’d prefer it here at the estate where it wouldn’t be seen by as many people.”
Her head darted from side to side. Behind the trunk of a palm tree, under the shade of an umbrella she saw Phillip. “Good-bye, Tony.” She disconnected the line, before he could comment. She stood and made her way toward Phil’s umbrella; they needed to talk.
The late afternoon temperature was perfect. The low humidity combined with a light breeze made the pool oasis a haven for relaxation. However, as Claire approached Philip Roach, his expression looked anything but relaxed.
She didn’t ask permission to sit in the chair next to his, she just did.
His voice was curt, “Ms. Nichols, I thought we weren’t to know one another. Can I assume we’re being photographed?”
“I was about to ask you the same thing.” Holding up her phone Claire continued, “It seems my ex-husband is receiving up to the minute updates. He even knows what I’m wearing.”
“What can I say, I have a job. I do it.”
“Then tell me what last night’s note was all about.”
Phil looked away. Eventually the enticement to see Claire sitting next to him, in nothing but her black bikini, was too strong. He returned her gaze. Mindlessly he wished she wasn’t wearing the large sunglasses. He so rarely was able to look at her this close. He wanted to see her eyes. Finally he responded to her question, “It was a display of unwise judgment.”
“Unwise?” Her voice softened, “I thought it was kind.”
“Well, Ms. Nichols, I’m not paid to be kind. I suppose I momentarily forgot my place in this equation.”
Her anger regarding Tony’s knowledge of her attire faded. She gently touched Phil’s outstretched leg and said, “Thank you. He was upset when he arrived.” She smirked, “He’s not too happy right now. But he calmed last night, he’ll calm again.”
“You seem to have an uncanny ability. My concerns were unfounded.”
“No Phillip, your concerns were admirable. Thank you.”
He nodded.
Claire went on, trying to give Phillip some sense of understanding. “This is nothing but a game to Mr. Rawlings. Unfortunately for me, he has the ability and resources to keep the game going into untold overtime. And you are a piece of that game.”