With his newly-issued government identity, Tony made it to the airport with a ticket in hand. After passing security, he slipped from the terminal, and with a newly purchased phone, he contacted the only man Tony knew, without a doubt, would respond. He didn’t consider it breaking the FBI’s rules—Tony considered it playing by his own rules—the way he’d always lived his life.
Tony’s requests to Eric were simple: money from the safe—not enough to raise suspicion—the key to the safety deposit box, and his alternative identifications. In case Eric was being tracked, Tony told him to also use alternative identification. As Tony predicted, Eric didn’t question Tony’s directives or motives—he never had.
Tony did keep the FBI issued phone—for a little while. After purchasing an international disposable phone—with the government given credit card—he texted the new number to the only contact listed within the FBI phone. Tony knew too well that phones could be tracked, and he was pretty confident the phone he’d been given was a constant beep on someone’s radar. Leaving the phone in a bathroom in New York State, that beep would now remain stagnant. As Eric drove him across the U.S. border into Canada, Tony received a text:
“WE’LL ASSUME THIS IS OUR NEW CONTACT NUMBER?”
Tony grinned—they’d given him an offer he couldn’t refuse. He’d replied with a statement of non-compliance. Their cooperation within his parameters wasn’t a win, but it was something. Right now, Tony would take that. With a grin, he replied:
“YES” and hit SEND
The cover story—the small plane’s emergency landing in the mountains—was completely fabricated by the authorities. Tony didn’t even know he’d supposedly chartered a plane, or that it landed unexpectedly until he heard the news. The length the FBI was willing to go for this case proved to him that it was something much bigger than it appeared. Like an iceberg, Tony believed he’d only been allowed to see a small portion. As far as he was concerned, that was fine. They’d created a cover story, which allowed him to do the one thing he wanted to do. He was now free to assess the table, determine the odds, and decide—for himself—what cards he should play. He was free to search for Claire.
Flying from Montreal to Brnik, Slovenia, Tony then took buses and trains in a non-direct route toward Geneva. Before he could start his full-out search for his ex-wife, Tony needed money. The days ran together as they were filled with cheap transportation and accommodations. Every nonstrategic thought was dominated by Claire and their child. During the course of his exodus, Tony concluded her disappearance was somehow related to the gifts and letters they’d received on the estate. Although the thought hadn’t occurred to him before, Tony found it interesting that the mailings stopped after her disappearance. Tony hoped and prayed that if Claire were truly running of her own free will, that she was ahead of—not with—the asshole who’d sent the threatening packages and tried to run her and Clay off the road. As his thoughts ran together, Tony also worried about her finances. He didn’t want Claire and his child living in conditions like he was enduring. Hundreds of times a day, he’d question why. Did she plan to leave and if she did, why would she do so without money? As much as he wanted her safe, Tony couldn’t wrap his mind around her being alive and talking to the FBI. None of it made sense.
As he planned his return to financial freedom, Tony felt a trace of guilt. It was true, he’d always been the one to move and invest the money, but truthfully, half of it belonged to Catherine. Tony knew Nathaniel entrusted him to take care of her. Taking this money without disclosure seemed wrong; nevertheless, he reminded himself, half did belong to him. Catherine was safe in Iowa, sleeping in his house with access to more of his money. Honestly, the feeling of guilt didn’t last long.
His indirect trail to Geneva was planned and plotted. He had enough cash to lay low and watch things unfold. He wasn’t using the federal credit card; it was too obviously a means to track him. Tony was listening to his instincts—they’d served him well in the past. Throughout his life, he’d accomplished many goals. Those goals took time and patience, and without exception, they were all done his way. His extremely high rate of success was proof of his own abilities. Tony didn’t see a reason to change his strategy. Despite the FBI’s directives, this endeavor would be on his terms, and his terms alone.
The financial institution in Geneva was his ace-in-the-hole, one of the cards he didn’t reveal. With his current plan, the institution wouldn’t be reached for at least another week. He’d love to move faster; however, perseverance was essential to his plan. His profile was low; he maintained anonymity, even if it was with his own false identity and not the one provided for him. He was also doing what he said—traveling. After his financial reserves were accessed, he’d continue to travel; however, at that time, his goal would be to find Claire. The money would make all of it more tolerable.