The next incident occurred as Clay drove Claire back to the estate one warm afternoon. Keeping her gaze toward the tinted window, the changing leaves of the vast countryside went unnoticed as Claire’s mind reviewed her busy day. They’d traveled early to Iowa City where Clay escorted her to her doctor’s appointment. She thought wistfully about the doctor’s words. If she and Tony chose, with the assistance of an ultrasound at her next appointment, they could learn the gender of their baby. Claire smiled wondering if they wanted to know. Yes, they occasionally joked about their green-eyed daughter, but did she want to know? One thing was for sure, if the answer was yes, she didn’t want to attend that appointment without him.

As often happened, especially with the increased flutterings she felt, Claire realized her hand was protectively shielding her growing baby. She thought about the maternity clothes she’d purchased before meeting Courtney for a delicious lunch. The press would be all over that, but hiding her pregnancy was becoming impossible. Without even considering a desire to drive, Claire’s eyes closed to her favorite pregnancy side-effect: her afternoon nap.

Feeling the change in acceleration, Claire was jarred awake. By the time she focused, she saw the car to their left. Like the car in which she rode, the windows were too dark to see through. Clay held fast as the other car bumped and pushed against the side panels of Tony’s prized Mercedes. If the roads had been wet or snowy, the outcome may have been different. Thankfully, the roads were clear. By the time Clay pulled over, the other car disappeared over a hill and Claire’s breathing was shallow and her heart rate accelerated. The other car didn’t have a license plate.

“Are you all right, ma’am?” Clay asked as he removed the cellphone from his pocket.

“Yes, please get me home.”

He spoke softly into his phone as he eased the car back onto the road. When she entered the mansion she went quietly to their suite and collapsed on the large bed. Would this ever end? Would her baby ever be safe? She’d tried to call Tony. Her mind spun with what-ifs as his phone went straight to voicemail. What time was it in Europe? She couldn’t think.

Claire was almost asleep when the knock came on the suite door. With puffy eyes and an aching head, she managed, “Come in.”

Catherine entered, “I just heard what happened. Are you all right? Should we call your doctor?”

“I’m fine,” though the anguish in her voice revealed otherwise.

Catherine approached the bed. “Can I help?”

“I don’t think anyone can help. I’ve tried to reach Tony, but I keep getting his voicemail.” Claire shook her head. “It feels the same – although I know it’s different.”

“I don’t understand.”

Claire sat up. “I know I have my phone and access to friends and internet, but I feel trapped.”

Catherine held her hand, “You aren’t. You see the difference from before, don’t you?”

Claire nodded, “I do. This time, it isn’t Tony – it’s this person. Who would want to hurt me or our child? I don’t understand. I’m afraid it will never end.” When Catherine failed to offer Claire the reassurance she sought, Claire’s tears resumed. She buried her face in the soft plush pillows. Catherine gently rubbed her back until Claire’s tears subsided and sleep overtook her.

Later that evening Catherine personally delivered Claire’s meal to her suite. When Claire saw Catherine’s return, she couldn’t hide her surprise, “Catherine, I hadn’t planned on eating in here tonight. Outside would be nice.” The cooler late summer evenings combined with the red and golden leaves made the back patio very enjoyable. Although she was nestled on the leather sofa with her reader, the tepid breeze from the open French doors beckoned Claire outside.

Without acknowledging Claire’s words, Catherine pushed the cart to the side of the small dining table and silently began placing dishes upon the surface. When she’d finished there were two place settings. She turned solemnly toward Claire and said, “I think it’s time we talk. As you probably know, there are no cameras in here. This is the best place.”

Immediately noticing the change in Catherine’s demeanor, Claire nodded. Curiosity overpowered her thoughts. Claire needed to know what Catherine wanted to say. Their discussion took them late into the night.

How long had she sought the truth about Tony’s promise to Nathaniel? Now with all her might she wished for ignorance.

Tony’s hesitance and Catherine’s reluctance at disclosing the full truth was easily understood. As the evening progressed, Claire wondered how Catherine knew so much. Of course, she’d been within the walls of the Rawlings and Rawls’ homes for a very long time, and there wasn’t much which occurred within those walls that Catherine didn’t know.

With all of Claire’s heart she wanted to call Tony and verify the story she’d just heard. But as Catherine explained, if she called Tony and opted for the escape Catherine offered, she risked too much. The New York Bar Association recently agreed to revisit John’s case. John still wasn’t speaking to Claire, but Emily was, a little. And then there were Amber and Harry. After what happened to Simon years ago, a part of Claire feared for Harry ever since she confessed their brief relationship. Tony had stayed true to his word. Her friends and family were safe; however, if he thought she left him of her own accord, he would no longer be bound by his promise.

Catherine was right. It had to look like this unknown perpetrator took her. It was the only way to keep everyone she loved safe.

Although, her heart told her to stop and trust the man she knew she loved, her mind replayed the words Catherine shared, “Anton promised to keep Nathaniel’s vow – Everyone associated with Nathaniel’s downfall will pay ... their children, their children’s children, and children’s children’s children...”

How could she stay? Even if she’d already paid her due, Claire couldn’t allow her child to pay.

The temperature of her and Tony’s suite dropped as Catherine presented her final and most persuasive argument. Catherine stood from the table, disappeared into the closet, and returned with Claire’s missing laptop. When Claire saw it she thought she’d be ill. “I thought my laptop was missing?” Claire asked as dread filled her chest.

“I believe the final word was,” Catherine set the laptop on the table in front of Claire, “the police weren’t able to locate your laptop.”

Semantics, Claire thought. “When was it found?”

“From what I understand, it was before you regained consciousness after Patrick Chester’s attack.”

“I don’t understand...” Claire looked into Catherine’s gray eyes hoping for an answer capable of quelling the dread growing within her. “That missing laptop is why I moved back here.”

Catherine closed her eyes and nodded, “Anton knew if you felt threatened you’d be more likely to move.”

Claire tried desperately to comprehend Catherine’s words while her new world crashed around her. “What about the packages?”

“Those are real.” Claire heard the emotion in Catherine’s voice, “At least I think they are.”

By the time Catherine left the suite, the tepid air had become cold. Walking to the French doors, Claire stepped onto the private patio and looked up at the velvety sky ladened with millions of stars. Struggling with her decision, the cool autumn air cleared Claire’s mind and her thoughts moved to her future. In and out, inhale and exhale. Her future was her baby’s future. Claire knew she needed to make her child’s safety her first priority. Feeling the calming effects of Iowa’s tranquility she contemplated her decision. Tony wasn’t due back to Iowa for four more days. If she followed through on Catherine’s plan, by the time he returned she’d be long gone and no one would suspect him.