Behind His Eyes - Truth Read Free Page A

swallowed the alcohol, Tony slammed the helpless tumbler on his desk and glared. “If I remember correctly, I told you that I didn’t want to discuss this—with anyone. That includes you .”
    Catherine pressed her lips into a straight line, stood, and walked toward the door. As she reached for the handle, she looked back. “In case you don’t know… the answer is no . But you could change that.”
    His brows knitted together. “What answer?”
    “Does she want to be found?” Catherine answered.
    “I said that I didn’t—”
    Catherine interrupted, “I asked you if Claire wanted to be found. The answer is no, but she’s good for you. Despite the fact that she’s a Nichols and she left you… at one time, she was good for you.”
    Tony collapsed into his chair. The emotions and liquor were taking hold. “Good for me? What about me ? Was I good for her?”
    Catherine diverted her gaze to the floor. When she resumed eye contact, she shrugged. “In some ways, but you could be better for each other. I know you could. You just have to show her that.”
    He closed his eyes. He and Claire could be good together. Tony knew that—they had been. When he opened his eyes, Catherine was gone.

If you are looking for answers, you’d better choose the question carefully.
    — Javier Bardem

    Even before sunrise, the corporate offices of Rawlings Industries buzzed with activity as people swarmed about. Tony nodded to his assistant and motioned toward his office as he passed her desk. Moments later, he listened as Patricia updated him on their progress.
    “Shelly has been working since the middle of the night, but it doesn’t seem as though she’ll be able to stop the media blitz regarding Ms. Nichols’ release. It’s already started.”
    Tony’s indifferent expression failed to hide the displeasure radiating from his dark eyes.
    Patricia looked away and removed a page from a file. “Here,” she said, as she handed it toward her boss. “This is what she’s been able to add to the public information.”
    Tony read:
    Mr. Anthony Rawlings is stunned by this turn of events. He has no further comment at this time.
    He looked up and met his assistant’s gaze. “What about Jane Allyson? When will she arrive?”
    “I’ve left numerous messages, both on her office voice mail and her personal cell phone. I’ll let you know as soon as I learn anything.”
    A knock on the door’s frame refocused their attention. The circles under Brent’s weary eyes and his wrinkled shirt said more about his lack of sleep than he’d ever admit.
    “Do you have news?” Tony asked.
    Brent nodded. “Some.”
    “If you’ll excuse me,” Patricia interrupted, “I’ll keep working to get a hold of Ms. Allyson.”
    “Let me know as soon as you do.”
    “Yes, sir,” Patricia replied, as she closed Tony and Brent inside Tony’s office.
    Making his way to one of the chairs across from Tony’s desk, Brent collapsed and wearily began. “The media is running with the story. It was first announced, very early Eastern Time, and every morning news program has enhanced it since. I understand why Preston was so anxious to talk with you. He hasn’t even been in office for two weeks, and they’re calling for an internal investigation. They’re saying that you paid to have her release covered up.”
    “That’s ridiculous.” Tony ran his hand through his hair. “I can’t cover something up that I didn’t know happened. Maybe Shelly should emphasize that?”
    “It’s up to you, but you might want to stay with no comment . I mean, the more you say, the more they’ll infer.”
    Tony stood and walked to his conference table. In the center of the table was his usual morning decanter of coffee and two cups. “Coffee?” he asked, as he poured the rich, dark liquid.
    “Yeah, man, I haven’t slept since you called.”
    Tony’s dark eyes peered over the rim of the ceramic mug.
    “I know,” Brent added. “You haven’t either.