Tony listened. Not in seventeen months had he felt the anticipation of reaching his home as he did today. He couldn’t believe she was really back. Drumming his fingers silently on the leather seat, he watched the road pass before him. If he were driving, he would have this car doing one hundred and ten.

*****

Her shoes clicked along the marble second floor landing until the carpet of the southeast corridor enveloped her heels and muted her steps. Each door she passed along the corridor made Claire wonder if she’d chosen the right room. The door to her suite stood ajar. She tentatively stood at the threshold. It had been a long time since she’d spent thirteen days trapped within the confines of this suite. Yet, despite the happy memories associated with this room, that incarceration was what tumbled out her hidden compartment.

By entering, was she exposing her queen, or worse her king? Everyone knows if her king were captured, the game would be done.

Bravely she reached into her purse and looked at her iPhone. Yes, she had a signal. Her queen had protection. Most of her support was miles away. However, a bishop or a rook could move across the entire board in an undeterred motion.

The suite was as luxurious as she remembered. Some of the colors and textures had changed, but the opulence remained. The wood work was still white, and now the walls were copper. Claire walked to the tall open balcony doors as a gentle breeze blew the now burgundy and gold draperies. The new valances were classic brocade contrasting elegantly with the copper colored walls. Taking the curtains between her fingers, Claire assessed the fabric, lighter than the ones before. She watched as the satin moved freely in the gentle wind.

Mindlessly, she stepped onto the concrete balcony and stared out into the vista. She’d viewed this scene in every season. Today greens filled the landscape, so many trees and so many shades.

“Welcome back, Ms. Claire.”

Claire spun toward the sound of Cindy’s voice. She took in the young lady’s genuine smile. “Cindy, it’s good to see you.”

“And you too, ma’am. I took the liberty of placing your luggage in the dressing room and hung your dresses, so they wouldn’t wrinkle.”

“Thank you. How have you been?”

“Very good, ma’am, and how... It is so nice to have you back with us.”

Claire knew Cindy was about to ask how she’d been, but stopped. They all knew she’d been in prison, not exactly a great conversation starter. “Cindy, lately I’ve been very good. And I’m just here for a visit, to attend a wedding. But it’s good to see you. Thank you again for putting my things away.”

“Can I get you anything else, ma’am?”

“Not right now. I believe I’m going to rest and then get ready for dinner.”

Cindy nodded as she left the suite, closing the door behind her. Claire gazed about the room. The sofa and chair were now a silvery taupe plush material. It looked very soft. The fireplace held wonderful memories of warmth and serenity. Her heart quickened as she saw the now closed door.

Claire steadily walked to the lever handle and pulled. The door easily opened to the empty hallway. She saw the button upon the lever, on the suite side of the door. Above the lever was a new addition. Claire smiled at the dead bolt. No key could enter if she secured the new lock.

Walking into the dressing room Claire saw new clothes hanging from the racks. There weren’t as many as there had been when she arrived the first time. Nevertheless, there were dresses, blouses, slacks, skirts, jeans, and tops. And the shoe rack contained multiple pairs in various styles. Of course they were all very expensive. Instead of complaining, she wondered again if things really change. With curiosity, Claire began opening drawers. The second drawer she opened contained bras in many colors and textures. The third drawer contained panties, various colors and styles. These clothes should have upset her. Instead, the new lingerie filled her with promise.

On the small dining table was a crystal vase filled with an array of wild flowers. Next to the vase she found the note:

I am very pleased you chose this room.
As you may have noticed, your lock is only operational
from within. Below is the username and password
to the Wi-Fi. I am a man of my word.

Were there similar notes in other rooms? What if she would have requested the first room on the left in the southeast corridor? Claire didn’t allow her thoughts to linger. Was she predictable or was he overly prepared?

Claire sat at the table. The flight, her reunion with Catherine, seeing Tony’s estate, and being back in this suite, left her drained but surprisingly content. Using the information on Tony’s note, she connected her iPad and iPhone to the internet. She then sent a text message to her various chess pieces: I ARRIVED SAFELY. I HAVE MY PHONE AND A LOCK ON THE INSIDE OF MY DOOR. ALL IS WELL. I WILL TEXT AGAIN LATER.

Courage isn't having the strength to go on -
it is going on when you don't have strength.
― Napoleon Bonaparte

Chapter 43

Somewhere, Claire heard knocking, was it real, or was it in her dream? She tried to analyze, but she couldn’t; she couldn’t distance herself from the warmth and pleasure cocooning her body. She floated on the softest sheets, upon a bed of perfect firmness. Somewhere between sleep and awake, the knocking stopped, replaced by her name.

“Claire -- Claire, you need to wake. We’re supposed to be to Tim and Sue’s in an hour.” Tony spoke from the moment he entered the suite. He didn’t want to give her the wrong impression, although that impression was paramount in his mind. She looked so peaceful, sleeping on this bed, in this suite. With all his might, Tony wanted to reconnect the electronic lock and keep Claire there forever.