Tess spoke first. “You’re welcome to join us for dinner, Gabby. Do you have homework?”
“Just some math. But I can’t possibly do that without brain fuel, and you wouldn’t want to shoot down my future career chances because I flunked Algebra 2 at sixteen.”
Bree knew her niece and snorted, but Tess laughed. A rich melodious laugh that caused Bree to join in.
“Hey, math homework and a starving teenager aren’t that funny,” Gabby replied, but her tone let them know she was enjoying herself.
“Alright, it’s off to Maria’s Café to save Gabby’s future,” Tess said, and Bree considered that having Gabby along just might loosen Tess up.
Bree called her brother and updated him on the plan before they pulled into the café parking lot and climbed out of the car.
“Shall we order food and eat first?” Tess asked. “Then while your aunt and I conduct our business meeting in the parking lot, you can stay at our table, Gabby, and figure out your quadratic equations, polynomials, and linear functions if I remember correctly.”
“A meeting in the parking lot?” Gabby asked.
“We’re judges. Confidential court issues,” Bree replied.
“Oh, are you checking out the scene of a crime?” Gabby looked back over her shoulder at the lot as they headed into the restaurant.
“We’d tell you, but we’d have to kill you,” Tess replied.
“Ha ha. So while I’m doing my homework, you two will be doing yours.” Gabby grinned as she dropped her backpack down onto the floor next to her chair at the table where the server had led them. The place was fairly empty tonight.
“Exactly, kiddo,” Bree said.
They all ordered burgers at Gabby’s insistence that there was no reason to go to Maria’s Café if you weren’t going to go for the best thing on the menu. Bree had to agree as she finished her last bite. So much better than a salad.
When they were done eating, Bree and Tess left Gabby at the table to do her assignment with the waitress’s blessing and assurance she’d keep an eye on Gabby while they headed back out to the parking lot.
“I parked over here in this spot.” Bree walked to the now-empty spot where she’d parked the night before, not far from where Tess had parked tonight. She pulled out her phone and took a few photos. She might want to stop in the future and take a few daylight ones too.
“If he was waiting when you came out, maybe he followed you from the courthouse,” Tess said.
“That seems likely. He disappeared on foot in that direction.” Bree pointed.
“Like I mentioned earlier today in my chambers, I followed up and called the police chief, so she’s aware. The office and the other judges have been alerted as well. And any pertinent info from tonight will be added to the written report.”
“I’m sorry to pile onto your presiding judge duties,” Bree replied.
“This way it’s at least been officially noted, a record. I know Chief Myers,” Tess said. “Since my shooting, we’ve talked a few times. I think I relayed everything you told me, and she’ll likely pass that on to the county sheriff’s office for their records. We left it that she might call you if she has any further questions. I hope that’s okay.”
“That’s fine. I’m happy to do whatever you desire,” Bree replied.
Tess gave her a look as thewhatever you desireregisteredwith both of them. Desire wasn’t something they were discussing. Then Tess looked away and cleared her throat. “I doubt Gabby’s finished her math yet.”
Bree was happy to refocus on Gabby’s homework. “I probably ended up in law school because I’d prefer a test on case law or even statutes any day versus one with graphs and numbers. I have to confess, though, my efforts at Gabby’s age were on making the cheerleading squad. How about you?”
Tess’s brow furrowed. “I was headed toward law school while I was still in diapers.”
Bree thought that could explain a lot about Tess. “Helicopter parents?”
“I don’t think that term had been invented back then, but that’s an understatement. My younger years were mapped out for me, aimed right at my adulthood,” Tess replied. “And I never measured up,” she quietly added.
Bree could see the vestiges of anguish in her eyes. Bree had never failed at anything important until her marriage, and then she’d seen a similar look in the mirror after Cora moved on. “And are your parents proud now, because you look so good sitting up there on the bench in that robe? And now the title of presiding judge too.”
“They’re deceased,” Tess said without elaboration, then added, “But my Aunt Alice is pleased.” Tess changed the subject. “Did you make cheerleader?”
“I did. Pom-poms and all.” Bree set her legs into her old cheerleading stance and lowered her arms before flinging one out, followed by the other, as if she still held those pom-poms. She raised and lowered her arms as she wiggled her ass and chanted, “My name is Bree for those who don’t know. Stand back and watch while I give you a show.”
