Truth - Romig Aleatha - Страница 20

Claire’s parents’ death at only twenty-one was tragic, but she wasn’t the one to find them. Suddenly thoughts triggered. Could Tony be responsible for the death of her parents? Could he be responsible for the death of his own parents?

In the information she read about Nathanial Rawls’ trial there were actually three people responsible for Nathanial’s conviction. Besides the security officer and FBI agent, there was Samuel Rawls, Tony’s father. He testified for the state. The articles said his testimony played a significant role in the conviction. After all, being the son of the defendant and present during most of the business dealings, he knew details. Samuel testified he was against the avenues his father pursued to increase their income. And although he voiced his objections, his father was very strong willed. Claire recognized that familiar trait.

As she learned more and more about Nathaniel Rawls, Claire felt as though she knew him. She knew someone who took after him in more ways than just dark eyes.

Claire checked the dates… Samuel and Amanda were found by their son in September of 1989. Nathanial died while incarcerated May of 1989. She continued to read the police report:

Anton Rawls recalled entering the home, via an unlocked door at approximately 8:30 PM. He stated the television was on, and he called for his parents. When they didn’t answer he walked in and found his mother on the floor of the kitchen. He ran to her. She was unresponsive. He noticed blood and yelled for his father. He found his father lying on the bed in the master bedroom. The suspected weapon, a Weston revolver, was found beside Mr. Rawls’ body. After discovering his father, Anton left the house and used the neighbor’s phone to call the police.

Patrick Chester, neighbor, stated he heard loud voices at the Rawls’ home earlier in the day in question. Mr. Chester saw a small blue Honda but not the license plate. He believed the car belonged to Samuel’s sister whom he’d seen once before. He recalled Mrs. Rawls saying the woman was Samuel’s sister. He didn’t know her name.

Claire quit reading and went back to her computer. The website she accessed months before was entered into the search engine. She used the web address from the bottom of the printed pages holding the information regarding Nathanial and Sharron’s records. While she waited for the site to load she went back to the police report.

Mr. Chester stated the sister left during the afternoon. He remembered, because he was outside working in his yard and saw her leave. He heard voices from within the Rawls’ bungalow after she left. He was unable to confirm if the voices were of the Rawls or the television. He didn’t see Anton Rawls until he knocked on his door to call the police.

While scanning the computer screen, Claire called to Amber, “Did you read this police report?”

Amber came through the archway from the kitchen. “I did. It didn’t mean a lot to me. Why? Do you see something interesting?”

“I didn’t remember Nathanial having two children. Yet, there’s a statement about Samuel’s sister.” Claire typed the necessary information into the New Jersey public record’s website. “I’m trying to see if I can find any record of her under Nathanial’s information.”

Amber stood behind Claire as she typed. The information popped up: Children: 01. Samuel Rawls. Claire tried another avenue; she typed in Sharron Rawls and waited. The screen read: Children: 01. Samuel Rawls. She looked up at Amber and shook her head.

Amber exhaled, “Is there a name listed?”

“No, not on this report.” She scanned the pages. “I wonder if they pursued this angle. The article I read before, said the crime scene looked like murder – suicide. Why would they decide that, if someone else was there?” She hoped Tony wasn’t truly responsible for his parents’ death. Maybe he included the article because he felt their deaths were a product of the work of the securities officer and FBI agent who testified at Nathanial’s trial.

“I don’t know. Maybe they decided that person wasn’t connected.” Amber offered.

Claire shrugged and went back to the report. It contained the dialogue of the 911 call. She read, thinking of Tony calling about his own parents. No doubt, this kind of trauma would have long lasting effects. His grandfather died and then only months later his parents. She knew she shouldn’t, but Claire’s heart ached for the young dark-eyed man. No wonder he had issues with relationships and control.

Amber went back to the kitchen as Claire settled into the high backed dining room chair. The dialogue on the printed page incited goose bumps on her arms. She read:

21:02:36: Caller: I’m at 7208 Mongolia Drive. Please send the police. I just found my parents and I think they’re dead.

21:02:39: Operator: I will send the authorities immediately. Please tell me your name.

21:03:02: Caller: My name – my name is Anton Rawls.

21:03:09: Operator: Anton, are you in the house?

21:03:47: Caller: No. I’m next door.

21:04:07: Operator: Good. Don’t reenter the residence until the police arrive. Did you see anyone else?

21:05:02: Caller: No. Send someone fast.

21:05:27: Operator: The Santa Monica Police are on their way. They’ll be there in three minutes. Please stay on the line with me. (silence) Anton? Are you there?

21:06:18: Caller: Yes – I’m—I’m – here.

21:06:49: Operator: Good. Did you see a weapon?

21:07:13: Caller: I don’t remember. 

21:07:42: Operator: Are you sure they’re dead?

21:08:29: Caller: My mother is. I checked her when I found her on the floor. (Gasp)Oh! There’s blood on my hands, I didn’t even realize…

21:09:42: Operator: Did you say there’s blood? (Voices in background) Anton? – Anton?

21:10:52: Caller: This is Patrick Chester. Anton is sitting down. The cord doesn’t each that far. Are the police on their way?

21:11:03: Operator: Yes, Patrick. Who are you?

21:11:28: Caller: I’m the neighbor of the Rawls. Anton called from my phone. Oh, I hear the sirens. Can I hang up now?

21:12:01: Operator: Just another minute. Let me please speak to one of the officers when they arrive.

21:13:12: Caller: All right, let me go answer the door. (Silence – voices) This is Officer Griffiths – ten four. (Line disconnected: 21:14:03).

Claire stared at the report and felt moisture coat her cheeks. Yes, she hated her ex-husband for the things he’d done to her, but no one should have to experience what she just read. She placed the pages on the shiny polished table and pushed back the tall upholstered chair with her feet. Dabbing her eyes, she tried to focus on the melting stacks of pages before her. It was too much. They were acquiring evidence to prove Tony’s guilt, but at this moment Claire didn’t feel vengeance. She felt pity for the man she’d loved.

Unconsciously, she used her sleeve to wipe her eyes and massaged her throbbing temples. She couldn’t stop the awful images of Tony’s parents that floated through her mind. Trying desperately to think of something else, she remembered Amber saying it was a nice day. She’d spent most of it inside. Claire needed a break from all this information.

As she put the report on a stack of pages, another title caught her attention: Santa Monica Coroner’s Report. Her stomach lurched. Claire didn’t want to read more; she was on overload. Closing her eyes she contemplated the unread information. Would it tell the estimated time of death? If it did, would it condemn her ex-husband, or absolve him? Did she want to know the evidence? Or could ignorance allow her peace?