Atlanta Daily Journal, 2009: TTT-TV acquires WKPZ. The acquisition results in multiple layoffs. Anthony Rawlings promised that as the economy improved so will job opportunities. He was dedicated to employment and worried about each individual that was out of work. All of those people who were so nice to her, who helped her with her dream, all lost their jobs because of her.
People Magazine, August 2010: the article which almost killed her. She didn’t need to read it, but she did: “Questions Answered, the Mystery Woman in Anthony Rawlings’s Life Agrees to a One-on-One Interview.” These articles were no longer revelations, mere confirmations. December 19, 2010: Her wedding picture, a smiling her next to a smiling him. She recognized the picture but the unfavorable article was new to her. It talked about how fantastic Anthony was and asked how such a smart businessman could be as gullible as to marry this woman with no prenuptial agreement?
Vanity Fair, April 2011: Anthony’s and her smiling face on the cover. It hit Claire at that moment. The woman in that picture didn’t even look like her. She was beautiful, blonde, sophisticated, elegant, and way too thin. Not until now had she realized the magnitude of the transformation. She placed a picture of her from Emily’s wedding next to the magazine cover. Did she change or was she changed? And why hadn’t she seen it before?
November 2011: Copy of the printed newsreel Tony brought home. “Tragic Accident Claims the Life of Young Gaming Phenomenon Simon Johnson.”
Albany Post, January 2012: column listing arrests: John Vandersol, 32, charged with embezzlement and fraudulent client billing charges. Arraignment is pending.
Iowa City News, January 2012: Headline, Anthony Rawlings Alive after Attempted Murder by New Wife. No wonder so many reporters had been on the courthouse steps!
Iowa City News, April 2012: “Claire Nichols (formally Rawlings) avoids trial, pleading no contest to the attempted-murder charge,” accompanied by more unfavorable articles.
Iowa City News, July 2012: Anthony Rawlings’s Efforts to Save the Iowa Taxpayers Their Money. The picture, black and white, showed a warehouse full of tables lined with merchandise: jewelry, shoes, handbags, clothes, etc. The article explained how Anthony Rawlings, uncomfortable that the taxpayers of Iowa were held responsible for his ex-wife’s pretrial expenses, held an auction of her belongings. It raised enough money to reimburse the state for her counsel and court costs. There was even an additional $176,000 left over, which was donated to the Red Cross of Iowa. Mr. Rawlings explained that this charity remains dear to him because it was Claire’s pet charity. The strip of newspaper that was stapled behind the first had another picture, a close-up of some of the jewelry. The picture was not large, but center frame was a black velvet box containing a white gold necklace with a large pearl centered on a white gold cross.
As Claire was about to close up the box, something caught her eye. Folded in the bottom was a napkin. She pulled it out and unfolded it. On the napkin in scrolling red letters: Red Wing. Under the words on each side were signatures, Claire Nichols and Anthony Rawlings. Above the red letters: Job Contract, and the date, March 15, 2010. She turned the napkin over, no other writing. There was no agreement, no definition of duties and no life-changing event, just a napkin with signatures.
Claire’s mind swirled with possibilities: she could take this information and ask for a new trial. No. She entered a plea of no contest and by definition couldn’t appeal. He knew that. Besides, the legal system and the court of public opinion hadn’t believed her before, they wouldn’t believe her now.
She questioned why he would share the information. Obviously, he didn’t view her as a threat. As Claire repacked the box, she contemplated and found a better reason. Tony spent years—no, decades—planning his vendetta. He liked recognition for his accomplishments. He required gratitude for his deeds. There was no one else with whom he could share his hard work. She wondered what sort of recognition he expected, perhaps a “well done” note?