“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.