Truth Read Free Page B

her eyes left the
paper and returned to the woman who’d been her defense counsel
thirteen months ago, they sparkled with moisture which now coated
her cheeks.
    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