Consequences (78 page)

As she viewed the next item, she realized the significance. It was a magazine article from
Newsweek
, 1979. What caught her attention was the picture of a house, looking very similar to Tony’s. Standing in front of the house was a family. The caption read, “Nathaniel Rawls, wife Sharron, son Samuel, daughter-in-law Amanda, and grandson Anton.” The boy looked twelve to fourteen. Even at that age, she could see his dark eyes. The article expounded on the success of Rawls Corporation. A recent stock split confirmed what everyone was saying,
this
was
an
up-and-coming
company
. Nathaniel’s family enjoyed a lavish lifestyle brought on by his success. The Rawls family lived the American dream—they had it all.

The 1982
Time
magazine article only had a picture of Nathaniel and was entitled, “Continued Success.” It quoted a lot of important investors stating the attributes of Rawls Corporation, which was now expanding its ventures with continued success, run mainly by Nathaniel, but also by his son Samuel. There was a quote from Nathaniel about grooming his grandson to take over one day.

The next was
Newsweek
1986. It wasn’t just a story; it was the cover. In large letters, with a picture of a house of cards, it read “The House of Rawls Falls.” The story was short, considering that it had been a cover story. The gist of it explained that Rawls Corporation stock plummeted due to allegations of wrongdoing. The magazine couldn’t say too much due to an ongoing federal investigation. As investors pulled their money, the corporation was folding before their eyes. There was much more information in the following article from
Newsweek
but dated 1987. There was a picture of Nathaniel Rawls wearing prison garb entitled “Nathaniel Rawls Convicted.” Based on evidence from a two-year undercover FBI investigation and testimony, Mr. Rawls was convicted on multiple counts of insider trading, misappropriation of funds, price fixing, and securities fraud. The family’s assets were being sold at auction to help recoup investor loss. Distraught investors were quoted. “We lost everything, and it is good to see the entire family lose everything.” The Rawlses were living the high life, homes, vacations, and belongings. Now they have nothing.

A short newspaper clip dated 1989 indicated Nathanial Rawls dead at sixty-four. Mr. Rawls died after only twenty-two months in a minimum-security facility. The cause of death was a massive heart attack.

The buzzer rang. Claire didn’t want to stop reading. She thought she should grasp some revelation. But other than that Tony’s name had been Anton Rawls before Anthony Rawlings, she didn’t see it. She had to follow the rules, so she put the articles away and turned off her lights.

Her journey resumed the following morning after breakfast. Copies of court documents from
New
York
State
vs.
Nathaniel
Rawls
were the next items in the box. Though lengthy, after time, Claire realized a few key testimonies aided in the conviction of Mr. Rawls: first from his son Samuel who had turned state’s witness, second from an undercover FBI agent embedded in the corporation for two years, and lastly a securities investigator. Accompanying these documents was a report stamped “Top Secret.” It gave the unreleased names of the strategic individuals: securities investigator Jonathon Burkes and FBI Agent Sherman Nichols, Claire’s grandfather.

Though warm in her temperature controlled cell, Claire felt a sudden shiver.

A newspaper article also dated 1989: Samuel and Amanda Rawls found dead in their rented Santa Monica bungalow, bodies discovered by their twenty-three-year-old son. Based on the evidence from the scene, it appeared to be a case of murder/suicide. Claire thought back,
Tony
had
mentioned
his
parents’
death
was
an
accident.
That
seems
to
be
an
all-encompassing
word.

NYU
News
, 1990 : Anthony Rawlings with Jonas Smithers starts a corporation. While completing their master’s degrees, they filed the necessary paperwork to start Company Smithers Rawlings, CSR. The article said the CSR wanted part of the Internet pie.

New
York
Times
article, 1994: Anthony Rawlings buys out his friend and partner Jonas Smithers for 4 million dollars. CSR is now Rawlings Industries. The
New
York
Times
predicts it is on its way to being an Internet giant.

Newsweek
, 1996: Rawlings Industries begins to diversify. Anthony Rawlings, determined to not have
all
his
eggs
in
one
basket
, enters the realm of entertainment and transportation.

Time
magazine, 2003: One of the men mentioned as a runner-up for Man of the Year, Anthony Rawlings. This designation came mainly because of his dedication to people evidenced by Rawlings Industries’ recognition as one of the top ten philanthropic companies in the USA. Mr. Rawlings is quoted, “I plan to spend my life and fortune looking for opportunities to amend my grandfather’s life. Every person is important.”

Indianapolis
Star
and
News
, 2004: Obituary of Jordan and Shirley Nichols.

Claire felt ill as she read the accompanying article with a different mind-set from when she was a grieving child. It talked about the unfortunate
accident
that claimed their lives, about her father’s police service and full police honors as tribute, and her mother’s devotion to her family and teaching. The accident was caused by wet roads and newly fallen leaves. Photographs taken at the gravesite were clipped to the obituary with words written on the back of each. One of John embracing Emily,
John
and
Emily
written on the back; and another of Claire sitting alone, with
Claire
written on the back in handwriting she recognized. Words came back to her, “Because I wasn’t able to support you when your parents died . . . you had to go through your parents’ death alone. Emily had John but you didn’t have anyone.” With a sudden sickness she realized he’d been there.

Valparaiso
University
Newsletter
, 2005: During the time, Claire was a student. The picture showed Anthony holding a giant check for 5 million dollars. His donation to the university made more scholarships possible.

Again, the buzzer rang. Claire had to wait to continue this journey. She slowly understood that her encounter with Anthony Rawlings in March of 2010 was predestined.

The next items were more actual snapshots, pictures of John and Emily’s wedding. A few even zoomed in on Claire, wearing the ugly sea foam green maid-of-honor dress. Emily and John looked so young and happy,
2005
and
Claire
written in the familiar handwriting. She wondered,
Was
he
there
too?

Albany
Post
, 2006: Appointments to a local law firm. The second name listed was John Vandersol. The article discussed John both professionally and personally. Another 2006 article, “Rawlings Industries Continues to Diversify,” discussed the continued success of any venture Anthony Rawlings put his mind to. Rawlings had now decided to broaden into television with the recent purchase of TTT-TV.

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?

She kept some of the photos, put everything else back in the box, and requested permission to take the box to the incinerator. The guard consented and accompanied her to the basement. As they walked the passages, thoughts and ideas began to flow through Claire’s mind. She believed that her actions kept her alive. She also knew that obedience took more strength than retaliation. Today with each echoing step she took, her strength transformed into an overwhelming desire for retaliation. She lived her life governed by her grandmother’s and mother’s words, which encouraged truth and forgiveness. The truth did
not
set her free. The thoughts of revenge weren’t only fueled by
her
consequences, but the consequences of her parents, John, Emily, Simon, her friends at WKPZ, and even her grandmother’s necklace.