Courtney smiled. “His sentence has been served at a minimum security prison which gives him many more rights than you had during your incarceration, and his sentence was significantly reduced. As a matter of fact, Brent thinks he’ll be released during his first parole hearing.”
Claire’s heart momentarily skipped a beat. She stared at her friend. Up until now, Claire hadn’t been ready to discuss Brent. The last she’d heard, he was on a plane that went down. “Brent?” Claire’s eyes filled with new moisture as she searched the deep blueness of her friend’s eyes. “Brent’s okay?”
“Yes! He wasn’t on that plane—the one he was supposed to have been on. He later said he wanted to get home to you and Tony, but there were extra legal documents requiring modification. He stayed a little longer in Chicago and decided at the last minute to catch a later commercial flight. It wasn’t until he landed in Cedar Rapids that he knew anything about the crash.”
Claire shook her head—this was all so much. “Parole, when could that happen?”
“I don’t know the date—Brent said soon.”
Claire smiled, she liked soon! Though the sky was darkening, she wasn’t ready to leave this conversation. Her thoughts went back to the plane and Catherine. “What happened to Catherine?” Her voice quivered, “D—Did I kill her?”—she looked down—“I wish I could remember more specifics. I remember something about an insanity plea. All I could think about was Tony telling me years ago that it was my best option. If I needed a plea, I must have killed her.”
Meredith chimed in, “You didn’t. You shot her, but her wound wasn’t life-threatening. She stood trial—a long and drawn out one—but one that was kept very quiet from the media. She was convicted on multiple counts including multiple murders.”
Courtney added, “That day at the estate—Tony baited her into confessing to more crimes than he even knew existed. Eric arranged for the office to be wired, and Phillip Roach made sure it was all recorded. That information was essential in her conviction.”
Claire stared in disbelief. “So, there was a reason for him to go to the estate.”
Meredith said, “Well that and your sister and brother-in-law. Apparently, they were trapped in an upstairs suite. Tony got them out before the fire or smoke reached them.”
Claire rubbed her temples. “There was a time that I trusted Catherine without question.”
Patting Claire’s leg, Courtney added, “I know Honey—I know you did. We all thought she was so kind and sweet. The saddest part was her daughter.”
Wheels turned, Claire stuttered, “H—Her daughter? Oh, yes, I remember Sophie—no Sophia.”
Courtney nodded, “She didn’t make it out of the house. They said it was smoke inhalation.”
“Oh!” Claire’s stomach wrenched. She’d never met the woman, but she knew Tony thought highly of her.
Courtney continued, “Her husband was on that airplane. Brent said he had great potential.”
Claire contemplated the onslaught of information for a moment. She thought about her grandmother’s beliefs and those of Madeline and Francis on the island. Slowly, she wiped the tears and felt her cheeks rise into a seemingly inappropriate smile. “So, Catherine’s goal was to keep Sophia and her husband apart?”—she didn’t wait for an answer—“I guess God had other plans. Her husband’s name was Burke, wasn’t it?”—she went on—“I hope Sophia never knew her biological mother was Catherine.”
Meredith and Courtney shrugged. Finally, Courtney answered, “I’m not sure what she knew. From the audio of Tony’s office, I think we’re right to assume she didn’t. She died peacefully unaware.”
In the days that followed, Claire replayed the conversation over and over in her head. The loss of any life was terrible. Catherine had been directly responsible for so many; however, what kept coming back to Claire was the idea that Sophia and Derek were still together. She had to believe they were. If their love could overcome death, Claire believed her and Tony’s could overcome insanity and incarceration.
It was that belief that inspired her to confront her sister again, two weeks after her conversation with Courtney and Meredith. “Emily, seriously, I’m not a child. I’m much better. I want to see Nichol. I want out of here, and I’m ready to address the world.”
Emily leaned forward and covered Claire’s hand. “You know I love you?”
Claire nodded.
“We’re all happy your hallucinations are gone.”
“Memories,” Claire corrected.