Bound

Chapter Twenty-Three

Savannah sat at her desk at Cop Central, mulling over the folders before her.  Each woman had been taken by the same person, of that she was certain.   Brushing a strand of hair from her eyes she puzzled.  How was it possible that all of them shared an occupation, all of them had been the object of an admirer or sorts, but none of the men matched?

The newest file caught her gaze again.  Brianna Walsh...where was she?  By now the vics usually showed up somewhere, dead for several hours, and tied up like a penitent praying.  That bit of symbolism didn't escape her, she thought, frowning.  Frustration filled her.   Raising her eyes across the room she noticed her partner walking in, and it looked like he caught something.

Standing she said, "What, you found something didn't you?"  and he nodded, although the look on his face spoke of confusion.    In his pudgy hand he held a sheet of paper.    Savannah took the paper, read it wordlessly then sat down as quickly as she had stood.  What the hell?  In her hand was a copy of a Marriage Certificate.  Dated a day ago it detailed the legal marriage of one Brianna Walsh and one Gareth Viscardi.  Judge Gareth Viscardi if she wasn't mistaken.    "Where did you get this?", she demanded of her partner. 

Mike shrugged, "You know I have always got ears around town, big big buzz was that the hot shot judge got himself hitched.  Just for curiosity I pulled the cert.   Just a hunch. " 

No.  This wasn't right at all.  Savannah knew bullshit when she saw it, and this was pure bullshit.  No way had this girl met and married this man, there was no way.   She flipped the file open again, saw Brianna's face staring up at her.  This was an uncomplicated girl, this wasn't a girl who would hide that she was having a relationship with the most well known judge in the state.

Doubt flitted across her face until she came upon the lab report.  What kind of man would drug his fiance, she wondered, a grim smile playing over her lips.   Rising swiftly she said to Mike, "Get Backwater Bay Superior Courthouse on the phone, we're going to go have a talk with Judge Viscardi."

Mike looked at his partner, back at the paper she'd flung on the desktop.  He replied carefully, "Sav, even if this isn't legit, we gotta be real careful with this.   He's a very well known judge...and he's an advocate for domestic violence survivors.I don't know what this is, but it seems like she up and poofed to marry the guy.  Who can blame her?"

Savannah shook her head.  "You really think that Mike?  You think this quiet church-mouse kid was in a relationship with this guy the whole time?  Decided, she had enough of her life and went and married him?  Didn't tell a soul?"  

Mike chose his words, knowing Savannah's penchant for explosive response. "Listen, stranger things have happened you know.   Wouldn't be the first girl to get schmoozed by a guy, right?  Seems like from what we've got from her boss she's been a private person, not much of a sharing type, right?  You fall for a wealthy guy, you're gonna keep that on the down-low, know what I mean?  You don't want your buddies knowing you're gonna have cash."

She shook her head....."It doesn't feel right Matt and you damned well know it.  I need to speak o the clerk that entered this on record and then we need to pay a visit to Judge Viscardi.  We need to see that girl, make sure she is in fact alright."

Michael agreed with his partner, picking his car keys up off the table.   "Hell with calling, let's go take a ride and have that chat then Sav." he said, turning before he walked out the door, "Just keep in mind, if you're wrong, that's the end of both our careers."

Determined they left the precinct, got in Mike's rusting old cop issue and started the drive to the Courthouse.   The day was brilliantly sunny and beautiful but Savannah's insides churned.  If she was wrong Mike was right, her career of twenty years would be gone.  She'd have to step carefully here, because she certainly didn't want to ruin Michael's reputation either.  

Judge Viscardi, she mused.   Her recollection of him in court was one of fiery steel.  He was a well respected and feared judge.  He allowed no circus acts in his courtroom and she remembered several cases where he'd thrown the attorneys out and postponed the entire trial.   If memory served he was as handsome as the Devil himself, she could see how a young kid would get star-struck.  But starstruck enough to dump her life and run away with him?  Savannah had doubts there.  As they pulled into the Courthouse parking she turned to Mike and said, "You have a chat with the clerk, I'm going to see if I can't have a talk with the judge.  If he's  presiding today he should be on a break about now."

They walked into the building together and parted ways, each deep in their own thoughts, determined to find the truth out about Brianna Walsh and what had really happened to her..