“Bailiff, stop that woman!” the judge shouted, pounding his gavel on his desk as the room exploded in chaos.
“It’s all right, Your Honor,” David said to the judge. “We took some precautions; that’s why Detective Kincaid arrived late.” He watched with supreme satisfaction as Myra opened the door. “A federal marshal and several deputies are waiting to arrest Miss Brennan on a number of charges. Detective Kincaid concluded his investigation this morning.” David turned to the prosecutor, Jeremy Cook. “I think this constitutes reasonable doubt.”
Judge Emory banged his gavel again. “Case dismissed.”
Tessa remained where she was, not quite comprehending what had happened. Newspapermen crowded around. Townspeople clapped her on the back offering their words of congratulations.
“Miss Roarke, you’re free to go.” The judge smiled at her. “And don’t let me see you in my courtroom again,” he admonished, “unless it’s for jury duty.” He motioned to David. “Mr. Alexander, I’ll see you in my chambers immediately. We need to talk about Coalie’s future.”
The judge left his place on the bench and walked down the hall to his chambers. David followed him.
“Tessa?” Mary touched her shoulder. “Let’s go. The trial’s over. You’re free.”
Tessa looked up. She was free. This was what David wanted—her freedom and his own. Hadn’t he said he wanted his apartment, his office, and his cat back? He wanted his life to be the way it was before Tessa and Coalie arrived. There wasn’t any room for her or Coalie in it.
David didn’t love her, didn’t want her to stay, and now there was no reason for him to take care of her. He’d won the case, and she’d lost him. Her dreams of making a home with him and Coalie were gone. The trial was over. It was time to go home.
If she only knew where home was.
Chapter Twenty-three
“Where will you go?” Mary asked when Tessa marched into the office and began packing her few belongings. Coalie sat on one corner of the bed watching her, Mary on another.
“I don’t know,” Tessa admitted, stuffing the green calico into a cardboard box. “The hotel, maybe. I can’t stay here. I’m free.” She turned to look at Mary. “I’m no longer in David’s custody or his life.”
“I think you should talk to my brother before you make your decision,” Mary reasoned.
“I’ve already talked to David,” Tessa said.
Mary got up from the bed and went to David’s room. She opened the armoire, took out a leather suitcase, carried it back across the hall, and plunked it down at Tessa’s feet. “If you’re going to check into a hotel, at least do it with luggage,” she said. “It looks better.”
Tessa laughed. A sharp, high-pitched, bitter laugh. She’d just been acquitted on a charge of murder and Mary Alexander was concerned about her reputation. That fact eloquently illustrated the differences between the well-to-do Alexander family and Tessa Roarke.
“You’re becoming hysterical,” Mary said. “I’m going to make you some nice hot tea.” She left Tessa packing and went to put the kettle on.
A knock at the front door interrupted her. Mary opened it.
Lee Kincaid stood on the threshold. “I want to talk to Tessa,” he announced.
He certainly hadn’t wasted any time coming to propose, Mary thought. But maybe Detective Kincaid didn’t see any reason to wait. He’d already told the whole town of Peaceable he was prepared to marry Tessa Roarke and fulfill her brothers dying wish. Maybe Kincaid felt justified in coming to claim his intended. But if he thought he could do it with Mary around he was sadly mistaken. David was in love with Tessa, and if he wasn’t there to protect his interests, she’d do it for him.
Eyeing Lee Kincaid with the distaste she reserved for worms and spiders, Mary reached into the pocket of her skirt for the derringer.
Lee was faster, though. “Not this time.” He grinned.
Mary glanced down. He held a Colt Peacemaker in his right hand.
“Take your hand out of your pocket. Very slowly,” Lee instructed.
She followed his orders, withdrawing her hand from her skirt pocket, the little gun held firmly in her grasp. “Looks like we’re at an impasse,” Mary said.
“Yeah, it does. But you’ve only got two shots. I’ve got six.” Lee winked at David’s vixen of a sister. “And I’m faster.”
“All right,” Mary conceded gracefully. “You win. This time.” She pocketed her gun and stepped back to let him enter.
“Atta girl,” Lee said. “And, Mary…”
“What?”