Rose's Thorns

Doubts

Theodore's POV

The ride home was quiet as I allowed myself dwell in the thoughts threatening to erupt from my brain. There must be chaos in the government house owing to my unpredicted move but that was not my concern as I had told them I do not involve myself in shady business.

Another concern of mine was the trauma I thought I had overcame, it took me 2 years of therapy session and a lot of strong will to be able to push that girl's cries from my mind yet today, this lady, Marina had effortlessly pulled it out of my subconscious.

I could almost envision that dreadful scene, her legs kicking haphazardly trying to free herself........

Suddenly, I heard my phone ring and I let out a sigh.

"Sir, it is the Chief Judge ." Ellis said and I felt the edge of the phone touch my opened palm.

The phone had barely reached my ear when I heard his proud voice.

"The orders were clear Junior Orson, it was to execute the mayor's murderer."

"As far as I know," I began calmly.

" the orders were to handle the case sir."

I could almost hear his angry breath and I patiently waited, having nothing to do anyways.

"Handle the case?"

"What do you think handle the case means Junior Orson?"

The way he stressed on the "junior Orson" made it obvious it was supposed to annoy me, I wondered why though.

I am an Orson and I am younger to my father.

"Obviously not what it actually means sir." I replied, still calm.

"Judge Orson!" He sneered and I smiled.

That is how to annoy somebody.

"Sir, if you wanted her executed, the police should have done a better job. All I can offer as a judge is my impartial judgement and to the best of my knowledge, to be declared guilty of murder, the least I should have is one incriminating evidence and all there was were stories my Lord. What would the audience you are trying to impress think?"

This is one of the moments I am grateful to phones, I won't be the only one wishing I could see the other person.

He cut the call as rudely as he had called and I heaved a sigh shaking my head.

"I will not be going to the office on Monday." I said knowing I didn't have to elaborate.

"Okay sir." Ellis replied like I knew he would, without questions.

He is probably the only one that truly understands me, perks of being glued to me.

"Sir, would you like to see her?" He asked and for the first few moments, the whole sentence sounded weird.

A "her" in my home. The last time that happened was when my father was living with me and his "colleague" had thought it would be proper to barge in and spend the night.

I decided no to dwell on the absurdity of me "seeing" her and I replied.

"Yes, Ellis."

Soon enough we were home judging by the sounds of the gate and even faster, the car came to a stop at where I suppose is the room the cook had previously inhabited before she moved .

I opened the car and walked out but for some reason, I doubted carrying my stick with me.

Would it make me look weak or as my father had maintained, dominating?

Casting away all thoughts, I held it tighter and made for the building with Ellis right by my side.

"Knock first." I said once we climbed onto the pavement.

Ellis can sometimes be a bit, just a bit tactless with women.

He knocked and almost as if she was waiting, the door clicked open.

Normally, Ellis does the talking and I would carry on. We made it like that because of the problem with doors opening and the person behind it being a complete surprise.

Imagine the embarrassment that comes with attempting a handshake with a 10 year old son of a colleague or mistaken a colleague for the butler so in this case too I quietly waited as Ellis introduced himself and I and while I listened to their exchange even though it wasn't more than a few words, I wondered what about her made nobody doubt she is capable of murder?

I've heard about her escapades and it's quite difficult to pin all of that to the owner of such gentle voice so it got me thinking if the clue was something I had to see.

"Good day sir, I am thankful for the kind gesture. I promise I will abide by the rules stated in court." She said, though her voice sounded skeptical.

"It's my job and as for the rules I hope you keep your word so we would keep things civilized."

"If you need anything, inform them." I said pointing behind me knowing I wouldn't be wrong, the guards stationed there had greeted me just a few moments ago.

"You are allowed to wander in the house with at least one of the guards the only exception being the main building, however if you have something important, by important I mean concerning the case at hand, you can inform Ellis and I will grant you an audience. Welcome to my abode, I hope you have an uneventful time."

I waited a few seconds out of courtesy then turned to leave when I heard her ask.

"What next?"

Was that directed at me?

"What do you mean what next?" I heard Ellis retort so I stopped in my tracks because i really would want to hear what that meant.

"What is the next line of action to make me confess the crime?"

Despite myself, I smiled at the question, well more appropriately at her voice.

So this is the reason behind her skepticism, she believes nothing is free.

"Why, you don't want to?" I asked, taking her lead.

"I must give you credit, among your circle you are probably the most daring."

I must say, she is rather brave even though her bravery is the kind that pushed the rat into the cat's claws.

How I would love to know what she was referring to as my circle but the more important question was,

"I'm a bit lost here miss," I said truthfully finally turning back to her.

"What part do you find daring, living with you or executing you after living with you?" I knew I was overstepping boundaries but the bait was too tempting to resist.

"Don't get ahead of yourself Judge, you have to wait for me to be pronounced guilty. I heard you have some sense of righteousness that wouldn't allow you to do otherwise." Unlike the reaction I expected, her voice was calm gaining a more stable rhythm with every reply.

"Is that why you took advantage of it today?" I asked, a flash of doubt running through my mind.

Did I fall into a scheme?

"No, I didn't...." she paused

"Today I bet my soul on it."