“When? Why haven’t you called me or the police?”
Catherine tried to justify her reasoning, “Yesterday evening... I assumed she’d be back. It wasn’t until this morning we realized she never returned. You were in the air; I couldn’t reach you. I haven’t called the police; what was I supposed to say? A twenty-nine year old woman drove away on her own and now I can’t reach her? Once Clay learned she’d disappeared, he followed the GPS. Your car was just located outside Des Moines... Anton, I’m so sorry. I truly thought she would return after she got her break. You know how the hormones are making her emotional. I’m very worried.”
Eric couldn’t drive the car fast enough for Tony. “Eric! Hit the damn gas! I need to be home!” His mind scrambled as he spoke to Catherine through the phone, “Des Moines? Jane Allyson is there. I’ll contact her.”
“Claire left her phone and iPad here. I can tell you, she’s missed many calls from people, especially her sister.”
“Shit. Someone will need to contact Emily.” The jet lag was nothing compared to the chaos in his mind. “What if Chester’s accomplice has her? We need to get the police involved. Have I received any ransom requests?”
“No, nothing here.”
“So, a car tries to run Clay off the road and later that same day Claire decides to leave. Doesn’t anyone else think this is suspicious?” His question was rhetorical; he’d disconnected their call.
A few minutes later, the front door of the estate burst open. Tony entered barking orders into his phone and around the room. He wanted everyone in his office yesterday. He wanted the security detail, Tom and Brent, the local police chief, and he even contacted the FBI. His call to Jane Allyson went to her secretary. Ms. Allyson was in court and won’t be available for another few hours; however, the secretary knew nothing about Ms. Nichols.
Tony even called Emily and Harry. Surprisingly, the call with Harry went better than the one with Emily. He ended up hanging up on her. Harry promised to call with any news and assured Tony they’d not seen or heard from Claire but would contact him if they did.
Tony contacted his office; there’d been no ransom requests or other messages. Patricia would check the satellite offices and get back to him immediately.
Although she’d only been missing a short time, with Tony’s influence, APB’s went out to all airports and every flight’s manifest and passenger list was scrutinized for Claire Nichols. Her name didn’t appear as anyone who’d flown in the past 48 hours or who had reservations.
While Tony assembled the greater part of his posse, Chief Newburg of the Iowa City Police Department, excused himself to take a call. When he returned he reluctantly approached Tony, “Mr. Rawlings, I need to speak to you privately.”
Tony looked around the room. His legal consultants were present as well as Catherine and his security detail. “Does this have to do with Ms. Nichols?”
“Yes, sir, it does.”
“Then I don’t see any reason you can’t speak in front of these people. We all want to find her.”
“I think this would be better alone.”
Tony’s heart sank. He looked around. “Everyone but Catherine and Brent step out of my office for a minute.”
Chief Newburg waited until the grand doors closed, leaving the four of them alone. “Mr. Rawlings, a Mr. and Mrs. John Vandersol have contacted the Palo Alto, California, Police Department. Their department has formally contacted our department. You are being accused of culpability in the disappearance of Ms. Claire Nichols. If she is not found, they want you charged with her disappearance and possible death, as well as the same for her child.”
Tony collapsed into his leather chair. “Chief, that is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. I called you here.”
“If they’d contacted our office personally, I could agree with you and talk them down. Unfortunately, since they’ve involved another agency, we have to follow through. Mr. Rawlings, may we search your house?”
“Yes. Of course, do anything you need to do to find her. But don’t waste too much time here. Find where she went. Find out if she’s with some maniac. You know she was attacked in California? We have brought threatening mailings to you. She could be with some crazy person right now.” His dark eyes fumed as he fought the desire to argue his innocence.
“I understand, Mr. Rawlings. We will get to the bottom of this.”