Behind His Eyes - Convicted: The Missing Years Read Online Free PDF Page A

have more work I need to do. The first thing is checking on Mrs. Rawlings.”
    “Mr. Roach, how do you know that she and Anthony Rawlings are remarried?”
    “Officer, when I speak with my attorney, we’ll let you know.” Phil hesitated. When the officer didn’t respond, he continued, “I will assume we’re done for now?”
    “For now. Do not leave the state—for business or personal reasons without contacting the ICPD first.”
    Phil shrugged. “Independent contractors are in constant demand all over the world. If you need me, you have my number.” With that, he turned and walked toward Courtney’s car. When he’d retrieved the car seat, Phil saw a purse on the floorboard. He hoped, for appearance sake, that the key was there. As soon as he sat in the car, his phone buzzed with a text from Eric.
    “I’M STILL IN THE SECURITY CENTER. I’VE MADE BACKUPS OF EVERYTHING. WHERE DID THEY TAKE EVERYONE?”
    Phil responded. “LONDON AND CLAIRE TO THE HOSPITAL AND RAWLINGS TO THE POLICE STATION. HE SAID FOR YOU TO CALL RAWLINGS INDUSTRIES AND GET HIS LEGAL TEAM THERE ASAP. I WOULD HAVE COMMUNICATED EARLIER BUT THINGS ARE CRAZY.”
    “NICHOL?”
    “EMILY VANDERSOL. I’M OFF TO CHECK ON CLAIRE. YOU’LL GET RAWLINGS HELP?”
    “YES.” Eric replied.
    Phil riffled through the purse and found a key fob. Within seconds he was headed away from the Rawlings estate toward Iowa City.

    It hadn’t occurred to him that there were multiple hospitals in Iowa City, and it would have been an issue, except when Phil handed John Vandersol the car seat, he placed an inconspicuous GPS tracker under the soft fabric. Rawlings had put Phil in charge of Nichol’s care, and he had no intentions of losing track of her location. After a few swipes on his phone, the blinking light led him exactly to where he needed to be. Phil didn’t consider contacting Courtney as he parked and locked her car. She was too busy with the news of her husband to be concerned about Claire, Nichol, or her car. Phil tried not to think about Brent. There were many people in Phil’s life who’d come and gone; nevertheless, the lingering sadness at the thought of Brent Simmons’ untimely death was another example of how Phil’s life had radically changed since Brent contacted him a year ago. He was getting soft.
    Slipping into the overcrowded emergency room, Phil nodded at the nurse sitting behind the desk and crossed the threshold to the draped examination rooms. In no time at all, Nichol announced their location. Before he could decide if he wanted to be seen, Emily emerged from a sliding glass door of a concealed room and their eyes met.
    “I didn’t get your name,” she said matter-of-factly.
    “Roach, Phillip Roach. How is Claire?”
    Emily bristled. “My sister’s information is private.”
    “I can assure you, Mrs. Vandersol, I’m privy to your sister’s private information. It’s my job; I need to know. Keeping her safe is what I’m supposed to do. I can’t do that if I’m unable to be near her.”
    Nichol’s cries grew in strength.
    “As you can see, she has a police guard. I don’t believe your services are needed.”
    “Why is she still crying?” Phil asked, moving his gaze toward Nichol.
    “I’d assume she’s hungry. I’m on my way to get formula from the pediatric unit.”
    “But…Claire won’t be happy—”
    “Thank you, Mr. Roach. Obviously, if your job was to assure my sister’s safety, you’ve failed. She has her family now. We’ll take care of her and Nichol. If you’re owed any money, see him . I mean according to you, he’s her husband. Please don’t bother my sister again.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Vandersol, I will gladly resign my position when my employer, your sister, relieves me of my duties, and not a minute before.”
    “My sister is in shock from whatever occurred. When she recovers, the police will question her. If you have any information you’d like to share, please contact me. They’ve already