Chapter 16 #6
“I see you have a signed affidavit from a forensic scientist attesting that the fingerprint on the trigger of the gun belongs to Judge Stephen Gilmore.”
The judge looked down at his notes again. “The same judge who was recently arrested and charged with fraud?”
“Yes, Your Honour.”
“Well, that puts him in a sticky wicket. Gives judges a bad name.” He shuffled through the pages again.
“Request granted. See the clerk for the paperwork. Happy Christmas. And a very Happy New Year to you, Mr. Evans.”
“Thank you, Your Honour.” Henry thought he might faint.
Kirkland took him by the elbow and escorted him out the door. “Just like that?” Henry exclaimed.
“Judges don’t like it when other judges shoot people,” Kirkland said. “Come on. Let’s get your release.”
Henry felt as if he had been granted a new life. In fact, he had. No more running. No more hiding. The relief was overwhelming. “I don’t know how to thank you,” he said to Kirkland.
“You can make a donation to my favorite animal charity.”
“Seriously? I mean, I love animals. But are you sure we can’t pay you for your time?”
“Not necessary. I don’t like it when judges kill people either.”
They walked to the window, where the warrant was voided and Henry was no longer a man on the run. “Can I buy you a pint?” he asked Kirkland.
“Splendid idea.”
When they met up with Kathleen, Henry picked her up and spun her around.
“I trust it went well?” she said with tears in her eyes.
“Couldn’t have been better,” Kirkland replied.
“I assume they’ll bring new charges against the judge.”
“Correct.”
“Will I have to testify?” Henry became nervous again.
“He’ll probably plead no-contest rather than go through a trial. He’s in deep doo-doo already.”
Kathleen snickered at the professor’s use of the slang.
“But I’ll let you know. I am now your attorney of record.”
The three of them walked to a local pub and had a celebratory drink.
Two hours later, Henry and Kathleen were back in their hotel room.
Emily had a meeting in Cambridge and couldn’t join them and Jessica and Ashley were in their hotel room on pins and needles.
It seemed as if they were all holding their breath for the last several hours when their phones rang on a three-way call from Kathleen. “Henry’s home free!”
Kirkland could hear the hoots from the earpiece of the phone and smiled.
Henry called Oliver with the same news and got a similar response.
Kirkland was quite pleased. All in a day’s work.
Oliver phoned Helen. “Pack an overnighter. We’re going to London.”
“Did it work?”
“Like a charm. Now get busy. I’ll pick you up in an hour. And not on my bicycle. We’ll take the train.”
Oliver phoned Henry. “Where are you staying?”
“Westminster London Curio.”
“Any chance they might have two rooms available?”
“I’ll ask my travel agent.”
“You have a travel agent?” Oliver asked.
“My daughter, Ashley.”
“Brilliant.”
Henry immediately called Ashley and asked if she could work her magic and get two more rooms. One for Oliver and one for Helen.
Ashley took the elevator to the lobby and approached the woman behind the counter. Her badge said “Patricia.”
“Hello, Patricia. How are you today?”
“I’m well. Thank you for asking.”
“I have a huge request. I was recently reunited with my birth mother and birth father. It’s a bit of a long story, but everyone is coming to London to celebrate. Is there any wee bit of a chance there are two rooms available for tonight, tomorrow, and the day after?”
Patricia checked the computer. “We only have a suite available. It has a bedroom and a sitting area with a pull-out sofa. And a double room.” Ashley wasn’t sure how it was going to work but she was determined to figure it out. “I’ll take both.”
Patricia typed a few things into the computer. “You’re all set.” She handed Ashley the keys.
“Many thanks. One more thing,” she added. “Any chance you can fit a party of ten in the dining room?”
“It would have to be an early seating. Seven.”
“No problem.” Ashley knew her mother had ordered champagne for later that night. “Thanks again. Happy New Year!”
As Ashley rode up to their suite, she did a head count. Blair promised to get a room for Emily at his hotel, which was a few blocks away. Ashley and her mother and Helen could stay in one suite, Kathleen and Henry in the second suite, and Oliver could have the double. Perfect!
She sent a text to everyone:
Dinner. Seven. Main dining room.
The party Blair had invited them to didn’t start until ten.
Ashley was torn about toasting the New Year with her family.
Maybe she and Emily could dash from the party, have a glass of bubbly, and dash back.
The party was only a few blocks away. When she proposed the idea to Emily she was in total agreement.
With all the commotion, Ashley and Emily’s idea of dressing similarly didn’t come to fruition. They could pull that stunt another time.
When everyone arrived at the restaurant, compliments were in abundance. Oliver introduced Helen to everyone. “She’s the reason why we are all here.” Kathleen gave her air kisses and giggled. The other women did the same. The men kissed the backs of the women’s hands. It was funny and sweet.
A waiter arrived promptly with several bottles of champagne and quickly poured it into beautiful flutes.
Henry raised his glass. “To everyone at this table for your tenacity, your loyalty, your perseverance, your devotion, and your love.”
They clinked glasses and cheered. Emily was the next to speak. “And no more secrets!”