Chapter 3 - The Judge's Son
Bryce stared at Jude.
"What?"
"You said your father would destroy me."
Jude gestured toward the phone in Bryce's hand.
"Call him."
Nobody spoke.
Finally Bryce dialed.
Judge Harrison Whitmore answered on the second ring.
"Bryce?"
"Dad, I'm at Mercer House."
"What happened?"
Bryce looked at Jude.
"There's been a misunderstanding."
Jude extended his hand.
Bryce hesitated.
"Give me the phone."
"No."
Jude didn't move.
Victor stepped forward.
Bryce handed it over.
Jude put the call on speaker.
"Judge Whitmore."
Silence.
Then Harrison Whitmore said, "Mercer."
"Your son assaulted a member of my staff tonight."
"That's a serious accusation."
"I have video."
Another pause.
"I'll send an attorney."
"Send whoever you like."
"Jude."
The judge's voice lowered.
"Let's handle this privately."
Jude looked around the ballroom.
Dozens of guests were watching.
"I have spent my entire career handling things privately. Tonight, your son apparently believed privacy meant permission."
Bryce stepped forward.
"Dad, she's just some maid."
Jude slowly turned toward him.
The judge shouted through the phone.
"Bryce, shut your mouth."
Too late.
Several guests looked disgusted.
Jude handed the phone back.
"Your father gives excellent advice."
Then he addressed all eight men.
"You are leaving Mercer House."
Bryce laughed nervously.
"Finally."
"Not yet."
Jude turned to Victor.
"Police?"
"Waiting outside."
Every face changed.
Grant Holloway whispered, "Police?"
Jude nodded.
"Ms. Sinclair will decide whether she wants to make a statement tonight or tomorrow. Either way, the footage will be preserved and provided."
Bryce stared at him.
"You called the cops?"
"No."
Victor answered.
"I did."
Jude glanced at him.
Victor shrugged.
"Seemed efficient."
For the first time that night, a few guests almost smiled.
Jude faced Bryce again.
"You thought my reputation meant I would solve this the way men like you solve problems."
Bryce said nothing.
"You were wrong."
Police entered minutes later.
The eight men were separated for questioning.
Several witnesses volunteered statements after seeing the footage.
By midnight, the party was over.
By one, Mercer House was silent.
I was sitting in the medical suite when Jude returned.
"Are they gone?"
"Yes."
"Arrested?"
"Some were taken for questioning. Detectives will speak with you when you're ready."
I nodded.
Then Jude sat opposite me.
There was something strange in his expression.
"What?" I asked.
"Why didn't you call security?"
I looked away.
"Audrey."
"Because I didn't think it would matter."
"Why?"
I hesitated.
"My father worked maintenance at a private club when I was thirteen."
Jude waited.
"One night, a wealthy member attacked him after drinking too much. My father reported it."
"What happened?"
"He got fired."
Jude's jaw tightened.
"The member?"
"Stayed."
I looked at my sling.
"I learned something useful that day."
"What?"
"Buildings protect the people who own them."
Jude leaned forward.
"Not this one."
I gave him a tired smile.
"You say that now."
"No."
His voice became firm.
"I should have said it three years ago."
I looked at him.
Jude continued.
"You've worked here almost three years, and somehow you believed that if a guest hurt you, I would protect the guest."
"Wouldn't most men in your position?"
"I'm not most men."
"That's what everyone says about you."
"Usually with less admiration."
I laughed despite myself.
My split lip hurt immediately.
"Ow."
Jude stood.
"Don't do that."
"Don't laugh?"
"Not until tomorrow."
He started toward the door.
"Jude?"
He stopped.
"Thank you."
He looked back.
"Don't thank me for doing what should have been done."
Then he left.
But twenty minutes later, I opened the door.
Jude was sitting in a chair outside.
His jacket was gone.
His sleeves were rolled up.
"You stayed?"
He looked up.
"Apparently."
"Why?"
He thought for a moment.
"Because you were afraid they'd come back."
I hadn't told him that.
Somehow he knew.
I leaned against the doorway.
"They're gone."
"Yes."
"Then you can sleep."
"So can you."
Neither of us moved.
Finally I said, "You really are terrible at taking orders."
A faint smile appeared.
"Go to bed, Audrey."
May you like
For the first time that night, I felt safe enough to do exactly that.
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