Mr. Trahan sat in the chair to my side, his body stiff as he began sharing his information. “Judge McBride, he didn’t show up to the courthouse today. According to my brother, the judge had a full docket starting at eleven. He says the judge usually shows up about seven or eight in the morning to go through his schedule and read the briefs for the day’s cases. His assistant said she was concerned, but it wasn’t until she realized it was ten in the morning and he wasn’t there that she started making calls.” His head shook. “She said it just wasn’t like him.”
My pulse sped up, racing through me as I leaned forward. “Did they find him? Is he all right?”
Mr. Trahan’s lips came together. “Well, yes and no, ma’am. They found him. When the judge didn’t answer no one’s calls, they sent a patrol car to his house. The two officers found him in his running car in the garage. He was dead. They’re suspecting it’s carbon monoxide poisoning. Of course, that ain’t official until all the tests come back. Visually, there ain’t no signs of foul play.” His head moved again as he hummed. “Says it looks clean, like he just fell asleep. Thing is, it was near seventy degrees by nine this morning. Ain’t no reason he’d be warming up his car in a garage. The police don’t want no news people snooping about. So, right now, ain’t nobody supposed to know.”
My mind raced with brief memories of the man who was here last night, the man who married us. “Does he have family?” I asked. “Are they okay?”
Mr. Trahan nodded. “His kids are grown; one’s here in New Orleans. Mrs. McBride’s a teacher over in the Fifth Ward. She was already gone to work.” He turned back to Rett. “My brother asked why he was here last night. They found your name on his calendar.”
“There’s nothing illegal about a wedding,” Rett said. “We filed the application yesterday afternoon. There’s a paper trail.” His gaze narrowed. “Did he expect to get something else out of you?”
“No, boss, ’cept here’s the thing. The application is on file, but the marriage certificate is gone.”
“What?” Rett and I asked at the same time.
“The judge,” Mr. Trahan explained, “he emailed a picture of it to his personal assistant. She was planning on filing it first thing this morning. Then the judge didn’t show and now there’s no sign of a certificate. Without the actual signed paper, it seems your marriage is in question.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Rett said as he stood. “The certificate is somewhere.”
“When I told Noel” —Mr. Trahan looked my way— “that’s my brother’s name. Our momma was funny like that. When I told him that Judge McBride performed a wedding, he followed up with the judge’s office. That all checks out. The police went through everything inside the judge’s car, including his pockets and briefcase. Now, they’re waiting on a search warrant to go through his house.
“Anyway, so far, there ain’t no marriage certificate anywhere. Nothing else is missing. Noel said the judge had a couple hundred in cash in his wallet and some more bills in a money clip. He also had plenty of credit cards. It’s all there. Judge McBride had other files in his briefcase. No marriage certificate for Mr. Ramses and Miss O’Brien.”
Rett’s brown orbs turned to me. “We’ll sign another one if we have to. I’ll get my attorneys on this. Don’t worry, Emma, we’ll get it settled.”
Did I want it settled?
Utilizing my recently proclaimed obedience to remaining silent in the presence of others, I relished the fact that I didn’t need to make that question known. Instead, it was definitely something to ponder.
As Rett finished speaking, Ian appeared at the passageway. “Mrs. Ramses?”
Standing, I gave Rett my sincerest smile and turned to Ian. “It seems that it may be back to Miss O’Brien...or let’s say North for the sake of argument.”
“Emma.” Rett’s address cut through the air.
I didn’t turn; instead, I began walking toward Ian.
My forward progress barely allowed me a few steps before my upper arm was seized and I was spun back, dark brown eyes filling my vision. “Emma. We’re married. This will get worked out.”
“Or it won’t.” I shrugged. “Of course, seeing as we’re in the presence of others, I’ll refrain from further discussion until it’s appropriate...Rett. In the meantime, perhaps I’ve been given a second chance to decide my fate. That doesn’t often happen.” I feigned a grin. “Could it be a sign? Maybe, I should engage the services of an attorney as well.” I pulled my arm away from Rett’s grasp. “Now, if it pleases your highness, I’ll take my leave. My busy day awaits.”
“Kyle is still out there, Emma. You’re not leaving this house.”
With a nod, I walked away through the passage and into the outer office as Ian followed. I didn’t slow to let Ian lead. I knew the way to the suites. I’d paid attention last night and again today.
It wasn’t until we were climbing the front stairs that Ian spoke. “I heard Leon when I entered. I’m sorry about the judge, Mrs. Ramses.”
“It is sad.” It was. I could acknowledge that, but this also changed everything from a few minutes before. The marriage I’d decided to regret was now in jeopardy. The future course that only minutes ago had named death as my sole means of escape had been rerouted, now offering alternatives.
Rett was right; Kyle was out in the world.
Was he the only person I should avoid for my safety?
The moisture between my legs was my answer.
Rett was here in this house. I had choices to make and as Ian and I climbed the stairs, I decided that this wasn’t the time to make a rash decision.
I needed my questions answered and time to think.