Claire needed reassurance. Too many times in her life she’d been deceived. “Why do I have a pardon… and free… what does that mean? Free as in free, or free as in I must be watched and monitored…” her voice faded into unsuppressed emotions.
Jane reached across the table and held Claire’s trembling hands. “If you sign this petition, you are free. A pardon means all charges are gone. They are expunged from your record. You are forgiven. You may leave this prison today and never look back.” As the words tumbled from Jane’s lips, Claire’s resolve melted. Her shoulders slumped and head bowed. Sounds didn’t indicate her sobs; it was the shuttering of her shoulders. Jane squeezed her hands. “You may go anywhere YOU want, whenever YOU want. Claire, where do you want to go?”
Her green eyes glistened as her gaze returned to her counsel. “Where do I want to go?” Claire’s mind spun, it had been so terribly long since she’d control of her future. “I don’t know.”
“I guess the first question you need to answer is: Do you accept the pardon?” Jane watched as Claire’s chest heaved. In desperation, the woman in orange attire nodded, words continued to fail her. “Then you need to sign the petition.” Claire nodded again.
It took some time for Jane to calm her client. Once done, they secured her signature. There was processing to do, but before this day was done, Claire would leave the penitentiary alongside Jane.
“When will I be released?” Claire found her voice, although more tentative than before.
“I’m not leaving today without you.”
Claire’s eyes beamed admiration toward her counsel. “What do I need to do?”
“Do you have anything in your cell you want to take with you?”
Claire debated her personal belongings. Yes, there were pictures, letters, research, and some tokens. She nodded.
“Then you go back to your cell with a guard. I’ll take this pardon to the main office. They’ll bring you to me in a short time.” Claire continued to nod in agreement. “I have some clothes in case the ones you wore during your arrest don’t fit. They’ll return all your belongings from that day.”
“Thank you.” Claire looked down at the table. “I don’t have any money to pay you for your work.”
Jane thought of the cashier’s check. “Let’s get you out of here, and then we’ll talk reimbursement.” Jane’s smile proved contagious. Claire returned the smile and squeezed Jane’s hands. “Before you go back to your cell, who can I call? Is there someone who can meet you? Someone to take you somewhere? Or do you want to stay in Iowa?” Jane silently prayed her client wanted to leave, and she had somewhere to go.
“Where can I go?”
“Anywhere you want. Who can I call?”
Claire contemplated the question. She wanted to leave Iowa and all its memories as soon as possible. But who could help her? She had no money. Her sister would come, but it would take her time. Besides, Emily didn’t have money either. Then she thought of someone, an albeit unlikely friend.
Many months ago, after receiving Anthony’s box of secrets, Claire decided to contact Amber McCoy, Simon Johnson’s fiancée. She felt a connection, two women done wrong by the actions of Anthony Rawlings. Today, Claire knew Amber was the one person who could help. “Amber McCoy, CEO of SiJo Gaming, Palo Alto, California. I don’t know her number.”
Writing everything down, Jane answered, “Don’t worry, I’ll get in contact with her before you reach me in the main office.”
“Thank you.” Claire stood and walked toward the door. With her hand in mid knock, she repeated, “Really Jane, thank you, I never expected this, ever.”
“We’ll talk more in the car. Now get your things, there is a big wonderful world waiting for you.” Jane watched as Claire lifted her head and squared her shoulders. Next, she knocked upon the door and was led to her cell. For a few more minutes Claire endured the indignation of her prisoner status. The guard didn’t know she was now a free woman. Unlike the last time, as Jane watched Claire escorted away, this time, she took comfort in knowing it was only temporary.
Jane wondered why it wasn’t more difficult. Removing a prisoner from a medium security penitentiary should be harder. Yet, with the governor’s signature and a piece of paper, Claire Nichols was now riding in the passenger seat of her Toyota Corolla, wearing jeans and hiking boots from fourteen months earlier.
Claire chose to wear the blouse Jane brought for her. It was slightly large, but nonetheless, as Jane viewed Claire in her peripheral vision, Claire didn’t seem concerned. Instead, she appeared mesmerized by the landscape, occasionally sighing or dabbing her eyes. Jane tried to imagine Claire’s state of mind. Of course, her client was emotional; her entire life had just abruptly changed – again. It would be a difficult transition for anyone.
Sporadically, Jane checked her rearview mirror. There were no signs they were being followed. However, if the benefactor of the $100,000 knew about Claire’s release, Jane worried he or she might be waiting for their departure.
Breaking the silence, Jane said, “I didn’t speak with Ms. McCoy, but her assistant said there’ll be a ticket waiting for you at the American Airlines counter.”
“I don’t have identification.” The sudden realization frightened Claire. Could this oversight land her back in prison?