Page 90 of Wed to You

“Your honor,” Mrs. Monroe kept her voice neutral. “We also applaud Miss Gilson’s efforts to get her life in order. However, at this point, we have no proof that she has. How do we know she’s not still using drugs or involved with people in that culture?”

“You should let me finish, Counselor. Miss Gilson will need to agree to drug testing over the course of the investigation period.”

“My client doesn’t object to that,” Mr. Masters said. “We do have one issue with Mr. Talbot. He’s not originally from this area, and he has the money and means to flee with the boy.”

“Oh, please.” Mrs. Monroe waved Mr. Master’s comment away. “If Mr. Talbot was going to flee, he would have done it the first day Miss Gilson trespassed on his property threatening to take the boy.”

Mr. Masters took in a calming breath. “He flies to New York frequently—”

“For business. And yes, he takes Kaden as well as his wife and staff. However, he travels out of state only infrequently. He has lived full-time in Charlotte Tavern for over a year. He’s started a business that helps the local area. He’s married and settled with a woman whose family has been in the area for over two hundred years. More importantly, Mr. Talbot doesn’t shirk his responsibilities.” Mrs. Monroe looked at Tanya as she spoke the last words. She turned back to the judge. “Mr. Talbot isn’t going anywhere.”

“So far Mr. Talbot has cooperated, but he needs to contact the court if he has any plans of traveling out of the Commonwealth.”

“He has no plans for such a trip at this time.”

The rideback home was silent. Chelsea wished she could do something to comfort him, but what could she say? There was nothing that could make his fear and pain go away except for Tanya to drop the case or the judge to award custody to Jagger. Since neither of those were happening, all she could do was sit quietly and let him stew.

Once home, he went straight to his office. Chelsea went out back, where Kaden was playing some imaginary game involving a stick used as a sword.

“You’re back.” Mrs. Stanton launched herself from the chair where she sat supervising Kaden. “Where’s Jagger. Did it go badly?”

“There will be an investigation of all of us. The judge ordered visits with Tanya.”

“No! Where’s Jagger?”

“He went to his office.”

Mrs. Stanton looked out toward Kaden and then to Chelsea.

“I’ll watch him.”

With a nod, she left. Chelsea tried not to think that a better wife would be comforting Jagger. Instead, she had to focus on what would best help him. Mrs. Stanton had raised Jagger. She’d know better than anyone how to get him out of his brooding mood.

“Miss Chelsea.” Kaden waved. “I’m playing pirate. Want to play too?”

She trotted out toward him. “Let me find my sword.”

Jagger was workingin his office the following Monday when Mrs. Monroe called. For days he’d been living with the fear of losing Kaden. It wasn’t right. No matter how much room Chelsea tried to give him to stew or Mrs. Stanton tried to placate him, they couldn’t help him manage the powerlessness he felt. Damn Tanya! Seeing Mrs. Monroe’s name on his caller ID only ratcheted up his agitation.

“The guardian ad litem will be Meg Carter. That’s good. She’s generally fair to dads, and we have a good case to depict you as a father figure to Kaden.”

Jagger ran a hand through his hair, hoping she was good to nephews too.

“The visitations are set up for Tuesday and Thursday from two to four, unless there’s some reason that can’t be done. You told me your schedule is flexible.”

“It is.” Jagger sank back in his chair, feeling like everything good in his life was slipping away. Even Chelsea was detached, despite her attempts to play her part, which she’d improved at. In many ways, she reminded him of the women he knew in New York. Not that she was shallow, but everything about her was an act. Of course, wasn’t that what he’d asked of her?

“There’s something else.”

Jagger sat up at the edge to Mrs. Monroe’s tone. “What?”

“Mr. Masters’s fee is being paid by an attorney in New York. A Ralph Johnson.”

Jagger went completely numb. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. You know him?”

“He’s my father’s attorney.”

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