Cindy scurried away toward the kitchen, leaving Tony and Claire alone in the warming fresh country air.
“How are you feeling this morning?” he asked with concern evident in his tone.
“I’m feeling well, which is surprising, thinking how early this is in California.”
Tony smirked, “I think you’re getting used to being in Iowa. It probably isn’t a great idea to keep changing time zones; maybe you should stay here.”
Claire smiled half-heartedly. “I don’t think that would resolve any of my current issues.”
“Oh, but you’re mistaken. It would be ever so helpful.” Tony reached for the bowl of fresh fruit. “Would you like some fruit?”
After Claire spooned some fresh melon and grapes into her bowl, she asked, “Why did you summon me here so early?”
He reached for her hand, “Claire, why do you think everything has double meaning?”
She swallowed a mouthful of juicy fruit and replied, “Because, I know you.”
Tony laughed, “Better than most.”
“What’s your plan?”
“I wanted to discuss the day. I plan to work from home this morning and was hoping we could spend time together before the wedding.”
“I told Sue I might be available to meet her and Sean this morning in Iowa City. I think I’d like that.”
Tony sat back and contemplated. Finally he said, “Eric can drive you.”
She tried her best to keep her defenses at bay, “I was thinking -- perhaps you have a car that isn’t worth half a million, that you’d let me borrow for a quick drive into town?”
Claire watched Tony’s mental and physical wheels turn. She knew she’d sent his controlling impulses into overdrive. The muscles in his neck intermittently protruded as his jaw clenched and unclenched. She drank some orange juice and enjoyed the show.
Finally he asked with a smirk, “Are you enjoying yourself?”
Claire grinned, “Immensely, thanks for asking.”
Clouds darkened his expression, “The last time you drove away...”
“This time I am talking to you about it,” she interrupted. “I want to meet Sue for coffee. I will return, and you and I will go to the wedding - together.”
“I thought coffee made you ill?”
Claire smirked, “Coffee is an aphorism for getting together. I can guarantee I will not be having coffee.”
“Getting together? About what?”
Claire sat straighter. “This is what I don’t want.”
“Concern Claire -- that is what I have. After all, someone broke into your condominium last night. Don’t you think you should be concerned?”
Cindy brought eggs and toast to Claire and sat them in front of her. After Claire thanked her, she left. Her attention returned to Tony. “How do you know about that?”
“So you aren’t surprised?”
“No. I spoke to others about it last night. And I suppose I’m not surprised you know.”
“Others?”
“Yes, Tony – friends, Harry called. I spoke to him and to Amber. They are both well, thank you for asking.”
“Why are you not more upset?”
“I was initially, but now I think you’re responsible.”
His spine straightened. “Claire, why would I have someone break into your condo?”
“I don’t know. Whoever it was took my laptop. The only secret information on there is about you.” Claire continued to eat.
Tony sat his cup of coffee on the table, “Me?”
“Yes, I’ve been trying to reconstruct the information from the box I received. I’ve spent a lot of time looking up information about your grandfather and father. It’s on my laptop.” Claire watched as his jaws once again clenched and unclenched.
“I have nothing to do with this break in,” Tony said. “I do, however, think you should consider staying here. It is significantly safer.”
“Well, Tony, I’m being honest with you. That laptop contains information regarding Nathaniel and Samuel Rawls. If you aren’t the person responsible for its disappearance, perhaps you’d like to learn who has it.”
“I will do my best. This is getting out of hand.”
“Well, back to my original question, do you have a car I can take into town for coffee with Sue? I need to call her.”
Tony leaned forward, “Claire, are you asking? I’m having difficulty with your wording.”
“Are we in the presence of others?” She looked to her right and saw the empty pool deck. She looked to her left and saw the southeast wing of the mansion; she knew the woods and gardens were behind her. “No, I’m not asking permission to go into town, only permission to use one of your cars. I would hate to be accused of stealing.”
With her get-together complete, Claire maneuvered the BMW toward Tony’s estate and contemplated the long winding drive. She tried unsuccessfully to diminish the beauty of it. She’d driven off his estate twice; this was her first solo drive back onto it. Looking at the dashboard clock, it was nearly eleven, and the wedding wasn’t until five thirty.
Coffee with Sue was nice. Sue obviously felt guilty for not supporting Claire in her troubles. In many ways Claire felt bad lying to Sue now about her and Tony’s reconciliation. Or was she? Claire’s emotions were so jumbled -- sometimes she didn’t know what was real and what was pretend. To Claire, the best part of their meeting was seeing Sean again. While the ladies chatted, he busied himself with toys. Claire smiled, remembering how Sue picked the bright colored rattles off the floor at least fifty times.