“I have reviewed this packet completely and I am ready for a ruling,” the judge says as a court stenographer takes down every word. The bailiff stands up very straight, allowing me to see that Janice was right, his crease is crooked. The judge clears his throat.

“Here we go,” Mark whispers into my ear, his voice driving me wild.

“In the matter of Sharp versus Sandstone Ventures, I find there is sufficient cause to stop the transfer of the asset known as Lynx Magazine. It shall remain in stasis as a Sandstone property facilitated by Miss Julia Sharp until such time as the court decrees it is satisfied with the legality and mutuality of said transfer.”

“I don’t know what that means,” I confide to Mark.

“It means you’re not going anywhere,” he replies with a big smile and side-arm hug. We turn back to the judge who looks at us impatiently.

“Further, the cause of justice must come before the cause of business, thus I am issuing a cease and desist order for Mr. Blake Stone and Mr. Kenneth Allen to stop all business proceedings regarding Lynx Magazine until the allegations of embezzlement, fraud, invasion of privacy, and witness intimidation can be investigated and adjudicated fully.”

“Watch this,” Mark whispers as Paul stands up. It’s clear that they left saving me up to Robert Clank and spent most of their day in a planning session of their own.

“If it pleases the court, your honor,” Paul says. “Once Mr. Stone and Mr. Allen learn the transfer of the property known as Lynx Magazine has been stopped, they are likely to destroy any evidence that exists. Mr. Mark Stone will also testify that Blake Stone has a tremendous amount of money and connections and would likely flee prosecution if not held under bond immediately. We believe the evidence and testimony of four witnesses present is enough to mandate the arrest on reasonable suspicion of both subjects. We request Mr. Stone and Mr. Allen be arrested and detained to be held under bond, an immediate restrictive order on Mr. Stone regarding Sandstone property, computers, and systems, and a personal protective order for Miss Sharp.”

“Mr. Stone.” The judge looks over as Mark rises. I can’t believe what I am hearing. It’s too good to be true.

“Yes, Sir?”

“Do you honestly believe your brother would flee the country or destroy company records once he learns the rejoinder has been granted?”

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“Yes, your honor, I do.” Mark replies solemnly. “I am also fearful that he would further attempt to hurt Miss Sharp as well.”

“Mr. Clank.” The judge looks away as Mark tentatively sits down. It’s everything I can do to keep from jumping into his lap right here. “You’re an expert on the bail bondsman business. If Mr. Blake Stone were not in custody, do you believe he would flee and deny justice in this matter?”

“Your honor.” Mr. Clank stands to address the judge as well. “I can’t tell you for sure if he would run or not. But I can tell you this. Blake Stone possesses such a high risk of flight that Clank and Clack Bail Bonds will not take him as a client because he represents a potential loss of capital. In short, Sir, I find Mr. Stone to be a bad investment.”

Ever the venture capitalist, a slight smile appears on Mark’s face as he hears his brother placed on the slush pile of financial ventures where Blake had put Lynx. Nodding and flipping through the papers one more time, the judge issues his final order, taken by the bailiff.

“As an officer of the court, I hereby issue an arrest warrant for Mr. Blake Stone and Mr. Kenneth Allen to be executed immediately. Suspects will be remanded for arraignment pending investigation. I also issue a writ of proprietor protection toward Sandstone Ventures and all personal and electronic systems therein. Finally, I grant a personal order of restraint toward Miss Julia Sharp. Neither suspect is to be closer than five-hundred feet to Miss Sharp, her home, or her business.”

With a bang of his gavel, we were done. I hug Mark as hard as I can, tears of joy falling down my face.

“I’m so proud of you,” he says to me and he holds me. “We won, Julia. We won.”

I pull myself away enough to thank Paul Fries for his fantastic work, and walk Kevin and Janice to the door of the courtroom, reminding Kevin to come to work Monday morning, sharp. Janice asks if I want to come to stay at her house, or at least stop by for a while. I decline the invitation but give her a hug and thank her for all her love while teasing her again about the wig and makeup combo.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stop by?” she asks, giving me the once over. My hair is flat, my morning dress is now a dingy limp sweat-stained disaster, and my shoe is missing a strap, somehow. “Seems to me we both have some cleaning up to do.”

“I’m so happy,” I bubble. “I don’t even care!’

I go back over to Mark and stand holding his hand when the bailiff comes toward me. He is carrying a stack of orders to be called in to the police.

“Miss Sharp, once I call these in, the cops will go pick him up. But there’s no guarantee they can find him quickly. You should stay here or somewhere safe until you can verify we have him in custody and he’s been advised of the orders.”

“I know where he is,” Valerie offers with a smile. The bailiff is all ears, as are Mark and I. “He’s at Lynx. I told them I was coming here to keep an eye on the court. They think I’m going to call them any minute and say no rejoinder was filed, or a rejoinder was denied. Then I’m supposed to join them at the Lynx office for a champagne toast.”

“Guess you’ll have to do without the bubbly.” Mark smirks as the bailiff takes the address for Lynx from the paperwork and walks to his desk to make the call.

“One of these nights, when this is all over, we’ll all have to get together for some real celebratory fun,” Valerie answers with a broad smile and a touch of her hand on my shoulder. “Until then, how’d you like to see a perp walk?”

“I’d love it.” I smile and pull Mark by the hand. “Come on. There are only two things that can make this day any better than it already is. One of them is watching your brother get the zip tie for a change.”

“What’s the other?” Mark asks.

I don’t answer; I just smile and wink.

Chapter 28

Mr. Clank offers to drive Valerie, and I pile in the front seat of Mark’s car. We stall on the main highway just long enough to see the police cars pass us, and then hurry to the Sandstone Ventures parking lot. As soon as the car stops, we all jump out and rush to the front of the office building. I’d give anything to have a photographer here right now. I thought we might have to wait while the men put up a fuss, but they come out pretty quick. Kenneth is walking slowly and not saying a word. Blake on the other hand is a fountain spewing hate in all directions.




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