The Consequences Series Box Set by Aleatha Romig

Author:Aleatha Romig [Romig, Aleatha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-11-11T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifty-Five

Your memory is a monster; you forget - it doesn’t. It simply files things away. It keeps things for you, or hides things from you—and summons them to your recall with a will of its own. You think you have a memory; but it has you!

—John Irving

Over the next few weeks, Claire settled into an old, yet unfamiliar, pattern on Tony’s estate. Things were different, yet the same. She had her iPhone and iPad. Tony even bought her a new laptop. Her old one was still missing. Apparently, the police found Patrick Chester’s van and hotel room. Unfortunately, the laptop was in neither place. His house in Santa Monica was also thoroughly searched. Nothing was there either. His wife and daughter were shocked. They had no idea why a loving husband and father would decide to kidnap someone. Repeatedly, they told the police and press, “This wasn’t like him at all. We don’t understand what drove him to such behavior.”

The missing laptop led everyone to assume there might be an undetected accomplice. For that reason, Claire was more than content to stay behind the large iron gates. She rarely left the estate. When she did, it was usually to attend functions with Tony. The first few dates on their prearranged schedule were missed due to her appearance. Claire didn’t want the press taking pictures of her with the remnants of Patrick Chester’s handiwork around her eye or on her cheeks. During those first few weeks, she called friends and family. Courtney and Sue made multiple visits. She even told them about the baby.

One afternoon, Claire led Courtney out to the gardens. They settled onto the same bench that Catherine had told Claire was visibly accessible to the cameras, but not audibly. Claire explained her change of heart to her dear friend. Courtney told Claire about Brent’s research. Derek Burke was related to Jonathon Burke, but not directly, and Brent couldn’t find anything remotely negative regarding him or his wife. The news fortified Claire. With all of her heart she wanted to believe Tony’s vendetta was done.

The two women embraced. Courtney promised to always be there for Claire, if Claire promised to be honest. With tears in her eyes, Claire said, “I refuse to be anything else, and Tony knows that.”

Courtney smiled and hugged her again. “If this is really what you want, I’m happy for you. I want you to be happy.”

“I’m not sure about forever, but right now, Tony is what I want.”

Courtney smiled. “You know I love babies?”

“Good, I think ours is in need of an aunt. Emily isn’t very happy with me.”

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