“Ms. London, why did you call the police?” Jane asked again.

Her gray eyes clouded as she replayed the memory of the crucial afternoon. “I had just had lunch with…” she looked toward John. “…you, your wife, and Sophia. Then I went into the home office to check my emails. When I opened the door, imagine my shock. Mr. Rawlings was seated at the desk. It didn’t take long for him to start accusing me of vile things. I had no idea what he was even saying. It didn’t make any sense. He spoke about his grandfather and his parents. The way he was ranting and raving…” She closed her eyes and another tear found its escape. When she opened them, her voice was meeker, “It was like how he used to be to her. I was frightened.”

John’s license to practice law didn’t give him that ability in the state of Iowa; nevertheless, he couldn’t stop the question that had burned in him since he’d first learned the truth about Claire and Anthony’s beginning. “Catherine, why didn’t you help Claire back then?”

“I did all I could do. I tried to make it better.”

John nodded. He’d heard the stories of how Catherine had been Claire’s saving grace, especially during the first months. “But surely you knew what he was doing. Why didn’t you report him?”

“I wanted to.” She looked down to her lap and her voice trailed away. “I should have. I’m sorry, I was so scared…” After a deep breath she straightened her shoulders and continued, “That’s why I called the police. After being away from him for so long, I felt stronger than I had in years. I refused to go back to the way things were. I didn’t want that for Claire or for me. Then when she arrived, she was so scared. I could tell she felt trapped.”

Jane pushed forward. “Why would Claire, the person you’d helped, try to shoot you?”

Catherine’s head tilted from side to side. “I don’t know. Was she? I mean, I was trying to protect the baby—Nichol, right?—from Mr. Rawlings. Claire was yelling. I don’t know if she was trying to shoot me. That wouldn’t make sense. Perhaps she was trying to finally be free. I can certainly relate.” She turned again to John. “Is it true what the press is saying? Is it true that Claire isn’t communicating with anyone?”

This time, John was the one to nod. “Damn press. Yes, it’s true.”

“How long do the doctors think it’ll be…I mean, before she can remember?”

“They don’t know. We’d hoped that she’d snap out of it before now. She rarely wakes, but when she does, she doesn’t speak and only stares. It’s like we’re not even there. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Catherine’s brows peaked. “She’s not saying anything?”

“She only speaks in her sleep. She calls out for him.”

“John, please tell Emily that I’m sorry I didn’t do more for her sister. I truly tried to help, the only way I knew how.”

“I will. Perhaps she’ll be by to visit?”

For the first time since their arrival, Catherine smiled. “That would be nice. I’d like that.”

Catherine’s attorney spoke, “My client has been through a lot. If you’d like to return, contact me first. If you have no further questions…”

After their visit, John and Jane spoke for hours contemplating Claire’s defense. It appeared clear: Claire didn’t try to shoot Catherine. She was trying to get away from Anthony Rawlings, again. Unfortunately, the Iowa City police weren’t as easily satisfied. Although her previous record had been expunged, everyone knew that the current charge of attempted murder levied against Claire Nichols Rawlings, was not her first. The question for her new legal team was how would Claire respond? The longer she remained incoherent, the more likely it seemed that Jane would be forced to file a not guilty by reason of insanity plea. While often an attempt at a lesser sentence, or more accurately hospitalization versus incarceration, this plea would be Claire’s true stance. If things stayed status quo, medical authentication wouldn’t be a problem.

John’s visit to Catherine, seeing the fear in her eyes as she talked about Anthony’s temper, helped him decide to pursue the protective order. This woman had worked for Rawlings for the better part of her life, and yet she seemed terrified. There was no way that John could sit back and let Claire and Nichol go back to him. Many years ago, when Emily and Claire’s parents died, he took on the role as man of the house. It wasn’t an old-fashioned do as I say role. No, it was one of protector and provider. Never had he considered it cumbersome. On the contrary, after knowing Jordon and Shirley Nichols, John felt it an honor to watch over both of their precious daughters. The way he saw it, he’d failed Claire too many times. Later that night as he rocked his niece to sleep, John Vandersol swore he wouldn’t allow it to happen again, not to Claire and not to Nichol.

The morning of Anthony Rawlings’ first court appearance, Jane Allyson insisted that neither John nor Emily be present in Claire’s hospital room. She had a sheriff’s deputy strategically positioned, ready to serve Rawlings with the protective order. The Iowa City policemen outside of Claire’s door didn’t hurt. Of course, they were present because Claire was officially in police custody. Jane promised that she’d stay with Claire, and if need be, she’d speak with Mr. Rawlings.

Had it not been for the gleam in her eye as she discussed a possible confrontation, John may have refused. However, that sparkle was present. Jane assured them that she’d had more than one run-in with the infamous Anthony Rawlings, and she wasn’t intimidated. Though Emily didn’t want to leave, John agreed. It would be better to have Rawlings walk through a restraining order and be greeted by Iowa City’s finest and Jane Allyson than by Emily and John. The volatile scene had the potential of becoming a full-out war. John was done being Mr. Nice Guy.