Harvest Moon (Borrowed Brides 2)

“He came into my establishment fairly often,” Myra answered. “I suppose you could say I knew him.”

“Will you tell the court how you met Miss Roarke?”

“Yes. Of course.” Myra moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. “She came to my place of business a month or so ago looking for a room to rent.”

“And you rented her a room?”

“Of course. I felt sorry for the girl.”

Sitting beside Tessa, David felt her body stiffen in reaction to Myra’s statement.

“Was Miss Roarke alone?” Cook asked.

“No.”

“Who was with her?”

“The kid,” Myra replied. “I mean, her little boy. She’d just come from Chicago.”

“Did anyone travel with her besides the boy?”

“Well, I don’t know for sure…” Myra paused dramatically. “But I think maybe Arnie Mason did. He’d just come from Chicago, too,” she hinted slyly.

“Objection!” David stood up.

The judge rapped his gavel on the desk. “Overruled. Continue, Mr. Cook.”

“Did Miss Roarke ever work for you?” Jeremy asked. “You’ve told us that you gave her a room at the Satin Slipper out of the kindness of your heart.”

“I paid for the room,” Tessa whispered to David.

“I know,” David whispered back.

Tessa nodded toward the jury. “Make sure they know,” she told him, whispering furiously. “I don’t take charity from anyone, especially her.”

“Mr. Alexander?” Judge Emory spoke from the bench.

“Yes, Your Honor?” David glanced at Tessa, warning her to keep silent.

“Does your client have a problem?”

Tessa nodded.

David shook his head. “No, Your Honor.”

“Then cease your whispering,” the judge ordered. “Please excuse the interruption, Mr. Cook, and continue your line of questioning.”

“Thank you, Your Honor.” Jeremy’s smug expression irked David. It was the expression of a boy who delighted in tattling on other children. “Now, Miss Brennan, did Tessa Roarke ever work for you?”

“Yes, she did.”

“How was she employed?”

“She served drinks to the patrons of my establishment.”

“And that’s all?”

“Well,” Myra began, “that’s all I required her to do. What she did with her men friends after she finished work was her business.”