Read Online Behind His Eyes - Convicted: The Missing Years by Aleatha Romig - Free Book Online Page A

judge was scheduled. Claire Rawlings was still in the hospital, and the debate had started about her future. In a bold move, the prosecutor had booked Claire in absentia.
    The small Iowa City jail cell wasn’t like anything Tony had ever experienced. Each minute inside of it lasted an eternity. He paced the confines for hours. Thankfully, Brent visited frequently. Of course, it was all in the name of generating Tony’s defense, but it was more than that: it was Tony’s only reprieve, his saving grace. Each time Brent arrived at the jail, a guard would escort Tony from the claustrophobic cell.
    “Tell me what’s happening with Claire.” Tony demanded, once they were again alone in the visitor’s room.
    “We don’t know much. Roach is our main source of information, and Emily has banned him and anyone else from contact with Claire.”
    “I’m her husband. Roach got the documentation from Francis. How can she refuse me? I want to know what’s happening with my wife and daughter. Besides, when Claire gets out of that hospital, she’s not going to jail. I won’t let that happen, not again. I don’t know how she survived in here the first time. She has the full legal staff at Rawlings ready for her defense. Emily can’t possibly want to deny her own sister legal representation.”
    Brent shook his head. “She isn’t denying her representation. John is representing her. He has his license back.”
    “In Iowa? He was never licensed for Iowa.”
    “No, he’s acting as co-counsel with Jane.”
    Tony pinched the bridge of his nose, closed his dark eyes, and released a long breath. “I’ll pay them whatever they want. I don’t like it, and I’d rather you were involved in her defense, but I think that John and Jane will have her best interests at heart.”
    Brent leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Roach is laying low. I told him to leave town, but he won’t. I’m worried that he’ll be charged with aiding and abetting or possibly accessory to commit a crime. He has a rather colorful history. It definitely could be used against him.”
    “He doesn’t know a thing. No one does.”
    Brent’s brows rose in question.
    “That’s my story—I’m sticking to it.”
    “You know,” Brent continued, “all of your, Claire’s, and Nichol’s things were found in a hotel in Cedar Rapids. Apparently that was where you were staying once you came back to Iowa?”
    “Roach is good. Don’t expect him to take you up on that offer to leave town. I know he isn’t sticking around for me, but damn, I’m glad he’s sticking around. He probably has the hospital’s network totally accessed and knows more about Claire than Emily does.” Tony stood and walked toward the wall. “I’ve never liked her. She’s never liked me.” He spun around. “But I fuck’n saved them from that house and this is how the bitch thanks me? Keeping me totally out of the loop. She can’t deny that we’re married.”
    “Claire, according to Roach, is awake but unresponsive.”
    “What does that mean—unresponsive?”
    “She isn’t speaking to anyone, not even Emily or John.”
    “What about Nichol? Surely she’ll respond to Nichol.”
    “We’re going totally by doctor’s notes only, but I don’t think she has.”
    “Get me the hell out of here and let me see her. She’ll respond to me.”
    “I’m working on it. Your first appearance before the judge is scheduled for early tomorrow morning.” Before Tony could blow at the prospect of spending another night in the jail, Brent continued, “Judge Jefferies will accommodate your proposal. It took a little longer to get on his docket, but the end result will be guaranteed bail. It was a trade-off: I thought it was the right move. If your bail request were denied at first appearance, it would be more difficult to have that decision reversed. You’re getting a lot of press on this as it is. I don’t want to add fuel to the fire.”
    “Fine, one more night in this