The hair on Rick’s arms stood on end. “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?” Another woman was attacked? And Judy is out there.
“Because as of right now they aren’t charging you with anything in regards to the second crime. Your reaction to their question wouldn’t have been the same if you knew it was coming. You obviously had no idea what prompted the question.”
“I don’t give a crap about that. This girl, did she look like Judy? Work with architects?”
“I don’t have those answers yet.”
Rick rubbed both hands over his face, scratched the stubble he would normally shave away every morning. “I’ve got to get out of here. This guy is going to come back. I can’t keep her safe if I’m in here.”
“Relax, Rick.”
“Relax? Have you ever had someone attack someone you cared about, Joe?”
Rick stood and started to pace.
“Listen, in regards to the assault case, it sounds like all they have is circumstantial evidence and Judy’s testimony. If she started answering questions about not knowing you bugged her car or kept track of her when she lived in Seattle, it can be damning enough to move the trial forward. There shouldn’t be any trouble getting the judge to grant bail, but chances are he’ll tell you to stay away from Judy.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
Joe shrugged. “Which might convince the judge to deny bail. Especially in light of the new attack.”
“You have to be fucking kidding me.” How the hell was this happening? He pushed both his hands against the wall and considered hitting his head to see if everything happening was just a nightmare and the jolt would wake him up.
“There is another route we can use to convince the judge that the DA doesn’t have enough evidence to hold you.”
Rick looked over his shoulder.
Joe took a deep breath and spread the papers out in front of him. “Spouses are not mandated to testify in any trial their husband or wife might be a defendant in. Right now Judy’s pending testimony on the attack is the only real evidence the DA is going on.”
Rick tilted his head. “Judy and I are dating, not married.”
“I’m aware of that. A simple signature changes that, however.” Joe tapped the paper in front of him with a ready pen. “If a judge understands there will never be testimony from your wife against you, he can’t deny bail. Only your wife can ask for a restraining order and the court won’t keep you away from each other.”
The information was trickling into Rick’s brain slowly. “What about the murder?”
“The police will question you on your whereabouts at the time of the murder and scramble to deny you have an alibi. A lack of an alibi isn’t evidence that you committed the crime, or probable cause to hold you. They’re going to have to work a whole lot harder to pin this on you without Judy’s testimony. I’m not saying they won’t try, but it won’t be easy.”
“I didn’t attack Judy, and I didn’t murder any woman.”
“Clearing your name will be a lot easier out of here than in.”
Rick took a step toward the table, glanced at the paper in front of Joe.
Certificate of Marriage.
Joe twisted it around to let him look at it.
His name was there next to Judy’s. When his vision focused on Judy’s signature, some of the anger inside him simply blew away.
“This was Judy’s idea.”
Rick glanced up from the paper. “Really?”
Joe smoothed down the hair on his chin and lifted one corner of his mouth. It was the only smile he’d seen on the man since they’d met. “Brilliant, really. I’d encourage her to study law if she hadn’t just gotten her degree.”
Rick sat and stared at the certificate, traced his finger over her signature.
“Kimberly, my colleague representing Judy, asked that I give you a message.”
His pixie was willing to marry him just to keep him out of jail. He wasn’t sure anyone ever displayed that kind of trust in him. “What message is that?”
“Judy asked that I mention Karen and Mike, and said you could work out concerns later. She said you’d understand.”
He smiled. His smart, resourceful girl . . . “All I have to do is sign here and we’re married?”
“Legally.”
“She doesn’t even have to be here?”
“Sad, but no. Lawyers have solicited signatures for legal marriages for hundreds of years. You sign this and you’re married with all the laws that protect you with that union.”
“And Judy . . .”
“She’s half married already. Just needs you to seal the deal.”
To think, less than a month ago he was happily pestering her to go out with him, and here he was adding his signature to a piece of paper making Judy his wife.
He traced his name after he added his signature. Too easy . . .
“Can you get a message to Neil?”
“Of course.”
“Tell him to keep my wife safe.”
“Dad is going to be pissed.”
Judy stared at her brother and laughed. “What else is new? He can be pissed all he wants, it isn’t going to change anything.”
“But marriage?” Karen asked.
It was an intervention, only they were too late. Judy had the copy of the marriage certificate and Rick’s signature was on it.
“This question from you, Karen?”
Karen glanced at Zach. “She has me there.”
“Exactly.”
Zach wasn’t as easy. “There had to be another way.”
“Maybe there was, but this was the easiest and fastest. Rick will be out tomorrow, and not worrying about him going back to jail will afford us time to find the real criminal.”
“Since when are you part of the police department?” Zach asked.
“The police aren’t looking for anyone, they think they have him. And I’m damn tired of having a chaperone every minute of every day.” It was Sunday, and she’d been under a self-imposed house arrest with either Russell, Dennis, or Neil close by every hour since Rick had been taken away. “I can’t live like this.”
“How is it you’re going to find this guy?”
Judy stared at her brother. “I’m not. He’s going to find me.”
“The hell!”
“Oh, don’t go there. I’m not going to try to attract him. I’m not stupid. I just know he’ll be back. Last night I remembered his last words before he knocked me out. ‘Next time’ . . . he said ‘next time.’ Only next time I won’t be so alone or unprepared for him.”
Zach rested a hand over hers. “Judy . . . you’re a girl from a small town who plans on drawing for a living. You’re not some superwoman who can take out anyone.”
She patted Zach’s hand. “I’m married to a Marine, Zach. And he can take out anyone.”
His pixie wore red. The low-cut dress was skintight and stopped just above her knees. Rick managed a peek at the black hose she wore with two thin ropes up the back of each leg. To add to the allure, she topped her head with a hat that matched the dress. Damn he’d missed her. Her smile lit the room when their gazes met and held.
Judy sat among Neil, Gwen, Zach, Karen, and Meg. Every one of them dressed like royalty . . . well, except Neil, he just filled up his seat with bulk and attitude. He probably felt naked without his guns. Lord knew Rick did.
Since this was an arraignment and not a trial, Rick was forced to wear the blue jumpsuit every incarcerated man wore while inside.
Some media personnel had a presence in the back row of the courtroom. But they kept to themselves and wrote notes.
Everyone stood when the judge walked into the courtroom.
Rick was asked to stay standing and Joe stood along with him.
“How do you plead?” the judge asked as if it were a simple exercise.
“Not guilty.”
The DA stood and started to ask the judge to consider holding him without bail when Joe stopped t
he prosecution. “Can we approach the bench, Your Honor?”
Rick turned and winked at Judy, who offered a little wave.
The attorneys stood at the bench, talking in heated tones.
“Married?” the DA said loud enough for everyone in the courtroom to hear.
There was more not so hushed talking, but catching every other word didn’t do the argument justice.
Several seats in front of Judy and her entourage sat Detectives Raskin and Perozo. The confusion on their faces was priceless. Idiots.
The attorneys walked away from the bench, the DA tossing his papers on the desk while Joe wore a grin.
“Mr. Evans?” the judge said, looking Rick in the eye.
“Yes, Your Honor?” Rick stood.
“In light of the new situation, you’re free to go without bail.”
A sigh came from the back of the room.
“Mr. Perkinson?” the judge addressed the DA. “I’m setting the court date in two months. I suggest you not waste my time.”
The DA glared at Joe and Rick. “Yes, Your Honor.”
The judge smacked his gavel and called in the next case.
Rick shook Joe’s hand and let the police guide him away so he could go through the process of getting his life back.
Chapter Twenty-One
The media attention spread from the courtroom and into the foyer. Outside the building, cameras were set up and ready for action.
“Can you believe this?” Meg asked, pointing to the chaos outside.
“Slow news day.”
“I don’t know about that. I overheard a reporter saying that Michael Wolfe’s family’s drama is more entertaining than his.”
“They wouldn’t even be watching me if not for Mike,” Judy reminded her friend.
Gwen stood beside Karen and lifted her regal chin. “I wouldn’t bet money on that. The camera loves you and the media has been known for making people famous just for being. Small-town girl roughed up in the big city . . . the police go after her bodyguard boyfriend. Small-town girl marries the bodyguard to protect him? The media will catch hold of that and ask for the movie rights. Cameras will be everywhere for quite some time.”
Karen agreed with a nod. “I’m afraid Gwen’s right.”
Judy tilted her head far enough to shield her face from the cameras outside the building. “Having all these cameras on us might not be such a bad thing.”
“How’s that?” Meg asked.
“I’m sure I’ve read somewhere that criminals like to gloat . . . that they stand in the crowd and watch the attention from the outside for some kind of pleasure.”
The four of them all took that moment to look out the windows in silence.
Neil walked up with Zach at his side. “Rick will be out in less than five minutes,” Neil said.
When none of them responded to his comment, he followed their stare. “What?”
“Darling?” Gwen said. “What are the chances the man responsible for all of this is out in that crowd . . . watching?”
Now all six of them were staring.
Neil broke away first, tilted his head toward the mic in his ear, and started giving orders. Judy didn’t hear them, but she could guess they were about her observation.
The media behind the cameras came to attention, and the buzz in the room changed.
Judy felt his stare, twisted slowly, and mimicked Rick’s smile.
Hollywood movies held nothing on real-life reunions. Her heart tripped over itself with the sight of him . . . uncuffed and free. She pushed around her friends and ran as quickly as she could without breaking an ankle, into Rick’s arms.
He was thick, warm, and perfect. He captured her lips and refused to let go. “We’re married,” he said, his lips still moving over hers.
She laughed, felt him laughing with her. “We are.”
Judy felt her legs leave the ground and he spun around like a child with a new toy.
She held her hat on with one hand and clasped on to him with the other. Rick stopped spinning her long enough to kiss her again. On a sigh, she felt his tongue slide along hers for a brief promise of more. He pulled away and just took her in. When his eyes traveled to her hat, his smile offered a second set of dimples. “I knew you were ballsy, Utah . . . but hot damn.”
“I felt rebellious.”
“Love the red.”
Red was quickly becoming her favorite color. He kept a protective hand on her waist and turned toward his friends.
After shaking hands and thanking everyone for being there, Neil coordinated their exit. Joe Rodden left first, drawing the media’s attention and explaining that there would be no comment at this time. A press conference would be held at a later date.
Uniformed officers met them at the doors. Neil and Zach pushed through first, Gwen and Karen right behind them. Rick held on to her and Meg looped an arm through hers and walked tall beside her.
The media clamored for attention. “Mr. Evans? Rick? Is it true . . .” Microphones were shoved past the police, everyone looking for a sound bite. Judy kept hold of her husband and her friend and kept walking forward.
“Miss Gardner, is it true you’re sleeping with the enemy?” Judy wasn’t even sure which reporter asked the question, but she knew Rick heard it because his grip became harder, his pace faster.
The limo was in sight, the door to the back open, and Karen was slipping inside right behind Gwen. Someone gave her head a slight nudge as she climbed in the car. Neil was the last to get in, and the driver pulled away from the curb the moment the door shut.
“What a zoo,” Karen stated for all of them.
Rick laced his fingers with Judy’s.
Neil lifted his cell to his ear. “Collect as many shots as you can.”
“What’s that about?” Rick asked once Neil disconnected the call.
“The ladies pointed out something we might have overlooked.”
“Oh, yeah . . . what’s that?”
“This guy might be watching all this from close by. Blending in the crowd to catch a glimpse of Judy . . . of the circus he created.”
Judy ignored the chill running up her arms. Rick released her fingers and pulled her closer.
“I have Russell and Dennis taking pictures. See if anyone sticks out.”
“We can collect pictures off the Internet of the media coverage, see if there are any familiar faces,” Meg suggested.
“Perhaps hold a press conference in a public place, observe the crowd?” This suggestion came from Gwen.
“No more press today, please,” Judy pleaded.
“As much as you might hate their presence,” Karen said, “the more you draw their attention the more likely this guy will keep his distance.”
Rick agreed. “They’ll act as virtual bodyguards. They’ll watch us, and we’ll be looking for who is watching them.”
“Eventually the media will bore and move on,” Karen reminded them.
“If they do, and we haven’t found this guy yet, I’ll call Mike.” Zach winked at Judy. “If anyone can create some media attention, it’s him.”
They returned to the Beverly Hills home with nearly as much media outside the gates there as were outside the courthouse.
A catering truck sat in the drive, a few servers rushed around to unload food and bring it into the house.
“We’re having a party?” Rick leaned over and asked Judy once they stepped out of the limo.
“Samantha’s idea. Says appearances are more important now than ever. I don’t get it, not really . . . but I’m not afraid to say I’m out of my element with everything that’s been going on.”
They held hands walking into the house. A deep sigh left Rick’s lungs as he looked around the familiar walls.
“Neil brought over some of your things,” Judy told him. “Everything is in my room if you wanted to go clean up.” She removed her hat and shook out her dark hair.
“I do need a decent shower.” His eyes ran down her frame. �
�But don’t change,” he said close to her ear so only she could hear.
A slow, sexy smile lit her face and he turned and walked down the hall.
The large walk-in closet housed many of his clothes, his shoes sat on the floor. Inside the bathroom, his toiletries sat beside Judy’s as if they’d always been there. He should be freaking out . . . completely beside himself, but no. He was out of jail, thanks to his pixie and her quick thinking. And he was married. Yeah, it was a piece of paper with no guarantee it would ever be anything else, but for now he could go with the title of husband and enjoy the ride.
Rick opted for black slacks and a black silk shirt after his shower. Music spilled from the living room and mixed with the sound of familiar voices. He paused at the edge of the great room and leaned against the massive beam framing the space.
Judy was laughing at something her brother had said, a glass of wine in her hand.
He’d just spent three nights in jail with cold walls and inhospitable company . . . he should be thinking about how he was going to stay out of prison.
All he could think of was a different kind of confinement. The kind one voluntarily agreed to. The marriage kind.
For two nights he’d been married . . . sitting in a jail cell without a warm woman . . . but married. Knowing when he managed to get out he’d have a woman waiting for him filled him with something money couldn’t buy. Someone was out there waiting for him . . . wanting him. He drew in a breath now, watching his wife without her knowing, and tried to remember that she married him to keep him out of jail and not for now and forever. Yet it was her suggestion . . . a solution to an immediate problem that plagued them both. Not many women would do that. Maybe if they were in their forties and had signed their name to a marriage certificate more than once, but not a twenty-four-year-old woman who grew up in a small town where marriage was the pinnacle of life.
Utah married him . . . signed her name long before he had.
He knew the moment she sensed him. Zach was talking and Karen stood beside him waving her hands, finishing her husband’s sentences. Judy tilted her head to the side and then slowly leveled her gaze to his.
Taken by Tuesday (Weekday Brides Series) Page 19
