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She stiffened. “And if he doesn’t understand?”
“Do you trust me?”
There was a long moment of silence and then she nodded.
“Then take my word for it that it’s all going to be okay. No one is going to arrest you. No one, especially your brother, is going to touch you ever again.”
She nodded again, then slipped out of his embrace. He couldn’t force her to remain where she was. He needed her to know that he’d never force anything on her. That she was in control.
“I’m going to freshen up.”
He let her walk out of the kitchen and finished making the sandwiches she had been working on before he ruined the mood. They left ten minutes later. He’d called Juliet for Eve, letting her know she’d be a little late to work. Juliet had assumed so already.
The first thing he did was contact the issuing agency who put out the missing person’s report. After assuring the detective Evelyn Carrington was alive and well—with her voicing the same—he said he’d take care of everything on his end.
Though the order of protection hadn’t been issued yet, he told the detective to let her brother know he wasn’t welcome in her life anymore. Griffin had no doubt the man would contact her brother right away. That had thrown the detective for a second, but he understood.
Griffin doubted that. If what Eve said was true, then that man was probably paid by her brother to look the other way on way too many things. Not just things that involved her.
Their next stop was to see Judge Rider. Griffin started the conversation, explaining everything. Judge Rider sat stoically in his chair, his hands on top of each other on his round belly as he spoke. No emotion. No expression. No idea what he was thinking. But Griffin wasn’t worried because he knew Judge Rider was a fair and honest man.
“Have you asked for a police report on the maid’s death, Griffin?”
“Not yet, your honor. I have a feeling I won’t get very far with the police there.”
“I’m not lying. I swear,” Eve pleaded, though her eyes were cast downward.
Griffin held eye contact with the judge so he could see the compassionate smile he wore, unlike Eve.
“Ms. Carrington, look at me.”
Eve slowly raised her head to face the judge.
“I didn’t ask Griffin that because I don’t believe you. But if that poor woman was murdered, your brother should pay the crime for it. Don’t you agree?”
She gave him a tight nod.
“Not that Griffin has jurisdiction there. Call anyway. See what they say. I’ll have an order of protection issued and served to him immediately. No contact in any form with you. Must remain a thousand feet away and hand in any firearms he possesses.”
“You’d do all that for me?”
Judge Rider’s smile softened at Eve’s trembling question. “I don’t take kindly to abusive men. Ask Griffin about his sister’s ex-husband. No one should live in fear, Ms. Carrington. I can see how afraid you are. You’re safe in our town. We protect our residents. You are a part of this community, right?”
“Yes. I love it here.”
“Then you have nothing to fear.”
Eve stood and held out her hand. “Thank you, your honor. Truly, thank you.”
Judge Rider stood as well, clasping her hand in both of his. “There’s no thanks when I’m doing my job.”
She bit her lip when he let go of her hand. “I’m sorry for the fake ID. For lying.”
“Again, you have nothing to fear. Griffin will make sure of that.” Judge Rider sat down. “I wouldn’t mind if you held a few extra goodies that you bake today for me. I do love your sweets.”
“Of course, your honor.”
The smile she displayed lasted all the way out of the building and to the front of the cafe. She threw her arms around him.
