Shelter Mountain (Virgin River #2)(32)

“Oh, I think if Preacher had more in mind for you, he’d have already delivered it.”

A little while later Jack walked into the kitchen at the bar and saw Preacher scowl his greeting. Bravely, Jack walked up to the counter. “Hey, man,” he said. “You were right, I was wrong, and I’d like us to get back on the same team.”

“You sure this team of mine isn’t too much trouble for little you?” Preacher asked.

“Okay, you about done? Because this really hurts and I’m trying not to deck you right now. We could’ve just talked about it.”

“I wanted to make sure I was clear,” Preacher said.

“I get it, Preach. Now, come on. I’m only going to ask once.”

Preacher seemed to think about it a second, then slowly put out his hand. Jack shook it and said, “Don’t do that again.”

“Don’t make me want to.”

It wasn’t long before Paige came downstairs with Christopher. “Oh, my God,” she said, looking at Jack’s face.

“It’s much worse than it looks,” he told her.

“What in the world happened?”

“I got too close to the rear end of a mule.” He pulled a disc out of his back pocket. “Mel told me to give you this—some pictures she took. In case you need it. But she said it should come with a warning—they’re very scary pictures, whatever that means,” he said, pretending he hadn’t already seen them. “She still has copies, so you can leave this, if someone asks for it—like the judge.”

Six

Judge Forrest served in the Superior Court and made his home in Grace Valley. In his seventies, he was spry and had a serious, perhaps grim countenance. But for Preacher he had a ready smile and handshake. They met not in the courtroom, but in the judge’s office. Preacher and Paige sat in chairs facing his desk, Christopher in the outside office with the judge’s secretary. Judge Forrest asked Paige some questions about her life in Los Angeles.

Paige explained that she had been married to Wes Lassiter for six years, that Christopher was her three-year-old son and she was a little over two months pregnant. The abuse began right away—he’d actually hit her once before they were married. It became increasingly worse and horribly violent in the past couple of years. “But I should have seen it coming from the beginning,” she said. “He was very controlling even before we were married. And he had a temper, rarely at me, but just about things in general. You know, like driving. Or anger about something at work. He’s a trader. Stocks and commodities—very high stress.”

“And the most recent abuse…?” the judge asked.

With a trembling hand, she slid a disc across his desk. “When I got to Virgin River, the nurse practitioner in the doctor’s office examined me because I was threatening to miscarry. She took pictures.”

“Jack’s wife,” Preacher explained, for the judge had been fishing with Jack. “Mel.”

“This was the last time,” Paige said. “The one that sent me running. Once again.”

Judge Forrest took the disc and slid it into the portal on his computer. He clicked the mouse a few times, then turned his eyes toward her. “Why didn’t you notify the police?” he asked her.

“I was afraid.”

“Have you ever notified the police?” he asked.

“Twice. And I had a restraining order once, which he violated. I couldn’t even stay with my mother—he threatened her, as well.”

“Mel Sheridan dated these pictures,” the judge said.

“I know. She said she’d take a medical history, no last name, date it and have it handy in case I needed it for treatment, or whatever….”

“You needed it. Your injuries are dated September 5. He reported you and your son missing on the twelfth.” Judge leaned toward her. “Young woman, this is a dangerous man. If you don’t press charges, there is no hope of stopping him. You certainly can’t stop him on your own.”

“To tell you the truth, I’m surprised he didn’t file charges against me sooner.”

“I’m not,” Judge said. “He wouldn’t want you recovered and returned to L.A. while you looked like this.” He popped the disc out and handed it back to her. “I’m granting you a TRO and temporary custody based on these pictures and what I can safely assume will be the testimony of your practitioner, and others. He beat you up, then waited until you had time to get away, possibly out of state, before reporting you missing—which presupposes you told him you were leaving. As far as I know, with his permission.” Paige opened her mouth, and Judge held up his hand to silence her. “Don’t say any more without a lawyer, young lady. That week that he waited before missing his wife and son speaks volumes. But you’re going to need some legal help. With any luck, you can obtain a divorce and permanent custody in absentia, but don’t be too surprised if you’re required to go back to L.A. If that happens, don’t stay with family. Your location should be undisclosed. And don’t go alone.”

“I’m seeing this through,” Preacher said.

Judge gave a nod of approval. “Your paperwork should be ready in about an hour. Maybe two. Go have some lunch and come back.” He stood up. “I wish you good luck.”