“It was right before Christmas.” He hastened to add, “Everything was fine. There was no threat and no reason to worry you when you had so much going on. God, Claire, it was Christmas. Not exactly the time you want to hear about any of this.”
“I don’t care if it’s my birthday—I deserve to know.”
She walked to the front of the desk, stood before Phil and took a deep breath. This was definitely a matter she and Tony would be discussing. Softening her tone, she continued. “We—you and I—have been through a lot. I can’t thank you enough for your devotion to me, Tony, and Nichol.”
At the mention of her daughter’s name, she saw Phil’s expression momentarily change. It was almost too fast to discern. A second later it was gone. Claire’s stomach turned. “Wait. Something was different about the last mailing, wasn’t it? Oh, my God.”
The temperature of the room fell; the hairs on the back of her neck stood to attention. “Tell me it wasn’t addressed to Nichol.”
Phil shook his head. “I can’t.”
The trembling came from nowhere. Suddenly, the cozy home office was a bleak frozen tundra.
His tone was more her friend than security. “This is why Rawlings wanted to be the one to tell you.”
Claire nodded and sunk into the chair beside Phil. She had gotten used to being targeted by some psycho. She’d been to hell and back more than once. She could take it, but this was different. This was Nichol. As fast as the trembling came, it subsided, and Claire’s protectiveness surged forward. In a voice stronger than she truly felt, Claire said, “Find this person. You said the DNA points to a woman, right?”
“Yes.”
“She’s not in the database of known offenders?”
“Correct.”
Leaning forward, Claire reiterated, “If some bitch wants to come after me, fine. I’ll take her on. But threaten my daughter, in any way? Hell no! I want her gone.” Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t care what you have to do. You have my total support. Whatever resources you need, no holds barred.” Claire reached for Phil’s arm. “Please, assure that she’s no longer a threat to Nichol.”
Phil’s back straightened. “You don’t need to ask. I’d rather you didn’t. The less you know, the better.”
Claire nodded and stood again. “I’m going to get some coffee. Help yourself to the mail, but if you find something, tell me.”
Phil grinned.
“What?” she asked suspiciously.
“Well, Mrs. Alexander…”
Claire smiled at the reference from their past.
Phil continued, “…I believe that once again I’ve seriously underestimated you. Maybe someday I’ll learn that you’re tougher than I think.”
“One more thing, Phil, what was in the mailing to Nichol?”
“There were two. The first was a card addressed to Nichol Rawls. The second was a gift, a birthday gift addressed to Nichol Rawlings.”
Her brow wrinkled. “Why were they different and what kind of birthday gift?”
“We don’t know. The gift was a doll. I didn’t think much of it until I saw the one you gave her for Christmas. It looked very similar, very much like Nichol herself.”
“I had that one made by a private company.”
Phil nodded. “We’ve traced this one. It’s a cheaper version, made by a company that takes online and mail orders. They advertise in magazines all over the world. The person who placed the order used your name and address. The credit card was a refillable card purchased in New York with cash.”
Claire had researched some of the less expensive doll-makers. Even they required a picture. Through the years, Emily and John, and more recently, Tony and Claire, had done their best to keep Nichol’s picture out of the public eye. “That still means they know what Nichol looks like, that they have her picture.” Phil’s words continued to process in her mind. “New York?” Claire asked. “Where in New York?”
“New York City.”
“We’re planning on taking Nichol there next month. We have tickets to see The Lion King.”
“New York City is huge and filled with millions of people. Between Eric, me, and the rest of the security detail, no one will come near you or Nichol. Don’t even concern yourself.”
Standing taller, Claire assessed the situation. “Thank you.”
“I haven’t done anything.”
Her green eyes shimmered. “You know that isn’t true. You’ve done a lot, and I believe you’re not done. I told Tony that I loved the feeling of security on the island. That’s true. But in reality, it isn’t just the island. It’s him, it’s you, it’s Eric, and it’s everyone. We’re truly blessed to have so many people who sincerely care about our well-being. Whatever you need, ever, it’s yours.”
Phil nodded. “I need to look at your mail.”
As Claire was about to leave the office, she asked, “Would you like some coffee? I was sincere when I said that we need to catch up. Things have been wild with the trip to the island.”
“Maybe another time,” Phil said. “I want to go through the mail, get out of your way, and go have a few words with the person who delivered today’s mail to you before letting me see it. I think it would be better if I get to him before Rawlings.”
Her smile broadened. “See, that’s another reason why I trust you. You’re always a step ahead.”