Richard led Jude towards the island-themed bar where they sat on two wicker stools. Tapping the glossy wood of the bar, he got the bartender's attention and ordered twobeers.
"You know the paparazzi can dig up anything, right?" Richardasked.
Jude wondered what he was talking about and started thinking about his wild days and all the skeletons in his closet. Richard could be talking aboutanything.
"What are you gettingat,Dick?"
Richard laughed. "Seems your marriage to Donna finally got some attention today when one overzealous reporter wondered where you'd been the past few years. Anyway, it ends up that reporter had a run-in with Donna years ago, and let's just say she'd been waiting for a way to get backather."
"Spill it already,willyou?"
"It seems our Donna tied the knotbeforeyou."
"So? I know about that. Some drunken Vegas thing. She said it wasannulled."
"Itwasn't."
"What? Wait, thatmeans--"
"That your marriage was never legal," Richard said. "It seems she has no idea based on what Iheard."
"So…I'mfree?"
"Free to do whatever you'd like. And I'd like to talk to you about a little business venture I think you'll beinterestedin."
* * *
After his impromptumeeting with Richard, Jude rode the elevator to the floor the band's rooms were on. As he got off the elevator, he passed Donna, who walked ahead of a tear-stained Kat. He didn't even bother to acknowledge them. He needed to check onLucky.
As he knocked on Lucky's door, he heard voices coming from inside her room. Jordan opened the door and slipped out, moving the lock hinge so it held thedooropen.
"She doesn't want to talk to you and frankly, I don't blame her,"Jordansaid.
"I need to explain. It's not what itlookslike."
"You know you say that a lot, Jude, but sometimes if it walks and talks like a duck, it really isaduck."
He had no argument. Wasting his time arguing with Jordan was low on his list. Lucky would have to talk to him eventually. He'd make sureofit.
