“Si, signore, grazie.” (Yes, sir, thank you) She prayed the financial executive couldn’t hear the pounding of her heart or sense her wet palms. She placed the small replicated key in his outstretched palm. Marie smiled when he gently closed his fingers around her petite hand. The man was less concerned with her identity and more interested in her proximity. She responded boldly, “Signore, ti ringrazio per il vostro aiuto.” (Sir, I appreciate your assistance here)

“Forse piu tardi?” (Maybe later?)

“Prima la mia missione.” (First, my mission)

He released her hand with a friendly, “Si, naturalmente.” (Yes, naturally)

With his invitation momentarily dismissed, the officer inserted a key from his large ring. Next, he took Marie’s key. When he fumbled momentarily, her breathing stopped and her heart forgot to beat. Then, all at once the metal key breached the archaic lock. The tumblers turned; he slid the long box from its home. Remembering to exhale, Marie worked diligently to maintain her stoic expression as she followed him to a private room.

Once alone, Claire opened the lid and gasped. She’d come this far, she’d given up her life, listened to Catherine’s advice... all for a virtually empty box. However, virtually was not entirely. Slowly Claire removed the documents. In the next forty-five minutes she read all the information.

Nathaniel planned everything to a T. His original intention was for Marie or Anton to tend to his fortune. He left specific instructions about maintaining an overseas cache. The money was to be constantly rotated, moved, and secured. All pertinent information regarding the accounts was to stay locked in this box. Only the person in possession of these documents could access the monies. Being as he didn’t know for sure which heir would maintain his secret, everything was accessible with a numeric code. No names were associated with the financial accounts. This layer of security also aided in concealing the true ownership. Tracing the money to a Rawls, or anyone in the United States, was virtually impossible. The Switzerland financial system specialized in maintaining hidden fortunes. Only in the case of broken laws would they share information with the United States government.

In nineteen seventy something, when Nathaniel created his hidden treasure, it probably seemed very James Bond. Claire wondered if Tony changed the rules or had gotten more high tech? She would need to find-out. She’d gone too far to turn back.

Currently there were seven different accounts. The last time monies were transferred was six months ago. It really was time for a transfer. She wondered why he hadn’t done it while recently overseas.

Claire wished for Phil’s assistance; he’d be joining her in another day. However, this was something she needed to do on her own. Feigning confidence, Marie Rawls took the documentation to the front of the institution and requested a representative.

Over the next ninety minutes Marie watched and scrutinized computer screens. Her months of required attendance in Tony’s office paid off. She frowned at unsuccessful investments and discussed better reserves for better returns. If ever a time to wear a mask, this was it. As the afternoon progressed, she systematically moved and invested over 200 million dollars. The monies were once again dispersed throughout the world market with a portion liquid and accessible. The only difference was that now she was the only one holding a means to their access.

By the time she feigned reinserting the documentation into the box, a presumed action based upon prior transactions, she was ready to faint. Tony’s personal reserve was now hers. It wasn’t stolen out of spite. Her desire for vengeance was gone. Claire willingly admitted her feelings of hate were only a close cousin to the love she now felt. And she knew Tony loved her. But thankfully, Catherine helped her see the truth. No matter how much he loved her and their child, his need to fulfill his promise to Nathaniel would always prevail.

Claire couldn’t live with that. Besides, didn’t their child deserve to live like a Rawls? With a heavy heart, Claire justified she didn’t steal his money – only reappropriated it – to his child.

With the papers in her purse, Marie Rawls disappeared and Isabelle Alexander stepped onto the bustling Geneva sidewalk a mega millionaire. Faces didn’t register. While in the heart of Geneva’s financial district, Isabelle didn’t notice the magnificent blue waters ahead or the grand snow covered Alps around. As she walked from the bank to her hotel, not even the phenomenal shopping within the sleek cosmopolitan buildings beckoned her.

While the slender heels of her Luciano Padovan sling-back platform pumps clicked along the sidewalk toward Lake Geneva, Claire’s self-absorbed thoughts filled every fiber of her being. How many times had she told Tony his money didn’t matter? How many times had she shunned the idea of wealth? Nevertheless, she’d just done the unthinkable. If it weren’t for the uncomfortable gray contacts, she’d surrender to the tears threatening to flow. She fought the impulse. Isabelle Alexander needed to be strong, just as Marie Rawls had been moments earlier.

The documents inside her purse were the key to over $200,000,000. More than anything, she longed to throw them in the nearest gutter. The only thing stopping the growing compulsion was the child moving inside of her. Never in Claire’s entire life had she hated herself as much as she did at this moment. Thankfully, her love for her baby overpowered her self-loathing.

Claire’s common sense demanded she go directly to her hotel and secure the documents inside a locked safe. Nevertheless, she was tired of listening to her mind. She needed to know what was happening in the USA, in Iowa, and at Tony’s estate. She had so many questions. And over the past week she’d formed many more: First and foremost... who was the real Marie Rawls? Tony admitted to seeing her since she killed his parents. Catherine admitted to being with the Rawls family when Nathaniel married Marie. This woman existed. Why hadn’t she turned up in any of their research?

The vibrant sky and tall limestone buildings disappeared beyond the sea of sidewalk tables and happy tourists. Isabelle politely intermingled and scanned the landscape. Slipping into an internet cafe, she ordered a tall tea. No question, her Italian was improving with each passing day. She settled into an available swivel chair next to a computer, logged onto the Wi-Fi, and transcended the ocean in search of information.

Information began to materialize: Parrott Press Wins Battle Against Rawlings Industries - Representative Promises Claire Nichols’ Rawlings Memoirs Published By October First. Claire’s heart sank... was there any way to stop this mess? Next story: Palo Alto Police Question Iowa City Police Regarding Lack of Cooperation with Anthony Rawlings. As of yet, no charges had been filed or restrictions placed on Mr. Rawlings’ travel. Mr. and Mrs. Vandersol have requested his passport be seized. Marcus Evergreen, Iowa City Prosecutor, was quoted as saying, “Mr. Rawlings is an upstanding law abiding citizen. Until we are convinced otherwise, he is free to live his life. He has a home and multibillion dollar business empire. We have no reason to assume he is a flight risk.”

Claire exited the current stories and began searching New Jersey records – nothing on Marie Rawls. She remembered Nathaniel was incarcerated in 1987. Claire wasn’t sure when he married Marie. However, if he married her while in prison, that would have been in New York. Claire entered Marie Rawls into the data base of Marriage Licenses - New York State. She narrowed the search to 1986 – 1989.