Chapter Fifteen #2
Ellie seemed so shocked by the judge’s candor she’d been rendered speechless, so Micah did his best to step in.
“So, you’re saying it’s unenforceable?” When they’d come inside, Judge Edwards told them it looked like the perpetrator of the stage holdup had actually been acting alone in an attempt to get some quick money, but Micah would still be on his guard until they left town.
Still, seeing how angry the trust made Judge Edwards, he finally let out a little of the tension in his shoulders he’d carried the whole trip.
“Of course, it’s unenforceable,” Judge Edwards exclaimed before spouting off about ten different cases providing legal precedent for the inability to render a child stipulation, as well as the logical fallacies and general lack of legality behind the rest of the document.
“As your Mr. Goddard told you, the marriage stipulation is one that can be enforced, and you’ve already met the requirement, but the rest of this reads like-”
Before he had a chance to finish, the sound of a shuffle in the room outside the judge’s office carried through the door, and Micah heard his secretary shouting. Judge Edwards shot to his feet, as did Micah with a pistol drawn, as the door swung open, and a man in a suit marched through.
Ellie gasped, and Micah had a strong hunch who’d darkened the judge’s door. Judge Edwards’s secretary appeared in the doorway behind him, face pale as she stammered. “Judge, I’m so sorry. I told Mr. James to wait until you were finished, but-”
“Quiet, woman,” Percival James spat as though she was nothing more than an unpleasant mess on the bottom of his shoe.
“This meeting is a farce. Archibald Cartwright’s death was an awful tragedy, but his will was iron clad.
” Micah had shifted himself to where he stood in front of Ellie, but he could see the look on the judge’s face moments before he let out a barreling laugh.
The sound carried, deep and boisterous, as James’s face reddened so much it was nearly purple.
“Iron clad? This trash isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.
Come, Percival, take a seat. I’ll be happy to explain all the laws I believe were broken and legal precedent ignored for the sake of you ending up with either the entirety of the money in the trust or Mrs. Sutton’s hand in marriage and subsequently the entirety of the trust anyway.
Either way, you win with these documents along with the ones already filed with our court system here in Cartwright.
” He reined in his laughter, raising a brow at the man who looked to be about ten minutes from having a stroke.
Judge Edwards rounded the desk, his mountainous appearance dwarfing Percival’s much smaller frame.
“I’m not even convinced Cartwright came up with all these terms, as it does seem to benefit you quite heavily, but I plan to find out.
” He narrowed his eyes, and Micah would’ve laughed at the sniveling coward before him if he hadn’t been unsure whether the man was about to snap.
“Every single one of those documents were signed and accepted by the court,” Percival stammered.
“Archibald’s signature is on all of them.
He’s the one who worried for his granddaughter’s fate and didn’t want to turn her out on the street when he passed.
He came up with the idea to have me marry her for her own protection.
” James eyed Ellie where she peeked out from behind Micah, his expression more of a leer than curiosity. “She’d make a fine wife, I’m sure.”
The very idea, not to mention his audacity, turned Micah’s stomach and sent his blood boiling.
His fist clenched by his side, involuntarily but no less fiercely.
Unfortunately, he was still three feet away from the man when Judge Edwards pushed him back.
“Don’t make me have to throw you in jail, Sutton.
You can’t defend your wife behind bars,” the judge growled.
When he spoke that way, he sounded every bit the cowboy he’d seemed on the stage.
He was right. As much as Micah would love to lay the man out, it would only result in his being unable to protect Ellie the way he needed to.
“Then get him out of here, Judge,” he said through gritted teeth.
Watching the way he’d looked at Ellie, the suggestion in his voice as he’d spoken, it was all too much.
“Helena,” Judge Edwards directed toward his secretary.
“Please go inform the sheriff we’ve had an intruder in my chambers.
If he hasn’t removed himself in the next minute, he’s welcome to take him to jail.
” As the woman scurried away, he shifted his attention back to Percival.
“I’ll make sure it’s in broad daylight, too.
My offices here are right in the middle of town, as you’re well aware.
” He lowered his voice once more and spoke again.
“I have three daughters, James, my youngest around Ellie’s age.
I know the last judge in this circuit was in your partner’s back pocket, but I’m not buyable.
I’m not easy to sneak up on either. I’ve built a career coming in behind corrupt judges and taking out the trash, and I’m quite good at it.
You don’t want to make an enemy out of me, but I fear it may be too late. ”
Percival’s sniveling, haughty face went pale before he took a step back. Turning his attention to Micah and Ellie, he narrowed his eyes. “This isn’t over. Far from it.”