“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.”

“Game? That wasn’t the impression I’ve received.”

“It’s like chess. I make a move, he makes a move. Eventually one of us will declare check-mate.”

“From my short experience, I believe you’re a worthy opponent.”

“You see, that’s where I’m confused. Sometimes I think I’m an opponent. Other times I think he believes I’m the prize. Thing is, I’m not interested in being a prize.”

“Maybe instead of chess, it is archery. And you, Ms. Nichols, are the target.”

She pondered his observation. That scenario would take more consideration. She asked, “By the way, what happened to you at that French restaurant?”

“I had an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

Claire nodded. “Thank you again for your concern. I’m in hope of you being dismissed soon, but I doubt that will happen. And at this time I don’t want to break in another bodyguard. So I’ll leave you to your work.”

As Phil watched, Claire walked back to her chair. He considered her words and thought to himself, bodyguard – that does sound better than paid voyeur.

After her time by the pool, Claire went back to her suite and made some calls. A lot had happened with Tony since she’d last spoken with Courtney. Claire told her all about Meredith and the agreement she hoped to secure with her tonight. She also told Courtney about Tony’s surprise appearance the night before.

Courtney filled Claire in on the progress of Caleb and Julia’s wedding. With it less than a month away, Courtney was trying to be as helpful as possible. Claire smiled, listening to her friend go on and on about dresses, rehearsal dinner, and tuxedos. Claire told her how much she’d like to help. They both knew that wouldn’t happen. Nevertheless, Courtney promised lots and lots of pictures.

Just before they hung-up, Claire mentioned her other late night visitor. Claire couldn’t tell Amber about what they did. It was refreshing to have a friend with whom she could talk to about Harry. Courtney didn’t judge; she listened. When Claire said Harry did make her smile, Courtney said she couldn’t wait to meet him. Her last comment on the subject caught Claire off guard. Courtney remarked, “Can you imagine if Tony realized his visit was the push to advance your relationship with Harry?” Claire hadn’t thought of it like that. She remembered Harry’s question. If Courtney’s observation was right, was she pushing Tony out, instead of letting Harry in?

Harry returned to the suite later in the afternoon looking delicious in new jeans and a new black t-shirt. Since he hadn’t planned on staying in San Diego, he was forced to do some shopping. With a boyish smirk, he handed Claire a plastic bag containing a box. She looked into the bag and returned his smile from under her mascaraed lashes. It seemed silly to feel shy about the box of condoms. However, when she noticed the number on the side of the box she exhaled. She didn’t know they were sold by the dozen.

Her thoughts went back to Palo Alto. Did his bulk purchase mean he intended this arrangement to continue back at the condominium? She wasn’t opposed. It would just be different. This get-a-way was more like a holiday. Another issue requiring more thought.

Just before seven o’clock, Harry asked Claire, “I was thinking, instead of flying back to Palo Alto tomorrow, maybe you’d be interested in driving?”

“Driving? How long of a drive is it?”

“About eight hours.”

Claire stared in disbelief. “Eight hours?! Why do you want to do that?”

“Because, Santa Monica is about two and a half hours from here. And a friend of mine, known for his amazing research, tracked down Patrick Chester.”

Claire contemplated for a moment, “Chester? The neighbor of the Rawls? The man whose house Tony went to, to make the 911 call?”

“Yes, one and the same. If you want to visit, I’ll call him this evening and see if we can arrange a meeting.”

Her mind spun. That wasn’t something she’d even considered. Claire thought if Tony was upset about me visiting with Meredith, this would throw him over the edge. But then again, she did have a reservation to fly back to Palo Alto at nine in the morning. If she didn’t cancel, Phillip would once again lose track of her, at least temporarily.

A knock came on the door of Claire’s suite interrupting their conversation. Looking through the peep hole, she saw Meredith. Just before opening the door, she turned to Harry and replied, “If he’s willing to meet, let’s do it.”

Harry leaned down and kissed her. His voice sounded huskier than before, “I’ll be back after your meeting. Have a nice dinner.”

His smile made her pulse increase and her stomach clench. She replied, “You, too. Sorry you’re eating alone.”

“I’ll survive.”

With that, Claire opened the door and Meredith entered. Claire made quick introductions, “Meredith this is Harrison Baldwin. Harry this is Meredith Banks.” The two shook hands and made quick pleasantries. Harry excused himself and left.

When the door shut, Meredith’s eyebrows shot up, “Is he the man I’ve seen you with in the magazines.”

“Are we off the record?”

Meredith smiled, “Yes.”

Claire returned her smile, a little more shyly, “Yes.”

“My Claire, you certainly know how to attract the good looking men. If I weren’t married, I’d ask your secret.”

Their easy banter quickly disappeared as Claire explained the loss of Meredith’s blog.

Meredith stared in disbelief, “I thought there was a problem with the server due to the excessive number of hits. I never dreamt it could be due to Mr. Rawlings.” She sat in silence for a moment and added, “So, is this an example of what he can do?”

Claire nodded. “It is. Are you sure you want to do this. He was here last night, and I can promise he isn’t supportive.”

“He was here? So you two are still talking, after everything... the prison thing and all?”

Claire nodded, “Honestly, I don’t know if I’d call it conversation. I’m speaking, he’s speaking... well you get the picture.”

Meredith nodded affirmatively.

“He set some boundaries.” Claire explained briefly, “At this time I’m inclined to respect them. It’s a quid pro quo thing.”

Meredith laid her purse on the table, pulled a small laptop from her bag and turned it on. “All right then, lay it on me. What are the rules?”

Claire snickered, “Oh, you have no idea.”