She saw Tod look in her direction. A broad smile of welcome and something else lit up his face as he stood. The older man stood also and Sylvia gasped in recognition. “Judge Morse?” she stammered.

“Sylvia? Good Lord! What a pleasant surprise!” He looked from the private detective back to her. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then obviously thought better of it.

Shelton’s thick eyebrows had raised quizzically. “You two know each other?”

Sylvia merely nodded, feeling some embarrassment. Judge Morse had been a friend of her father’s family for over fifty years; he had performed the marriage ceremonies for her and Bruce’s wedding… even though she had overheard him telling her mother that he was sure Sylvia was making a mistake.

Shelton moved to her rescue. “Please sit down, Mrs. Akron. Judge Morse and I were just shooting the breeze.”

Sylvia moved into the designated seat and Shelton sat down beside her. She looked up, almost guiltily, toward the magistrate who continued to gaze speculatively at her.

Shelton said, without too much sincerity in his voice, “Tom, why don’t you join us for lunch?”

“No, Tod. I’ve other plans.” The judge stared at both of them and then asked the question he had obviously been holding back. “Sylvia, I’m dumbfounded. Have you two known each other very long?”

She didn’t get a chance to answer, for Shelton interrupted, “This is strictly business, Tom.”

Judge Morse peered at her and said slowly, “I see. You and Bruce… a… thinking about…?”

“I’m leaving him,” she said simply, feeling that honesty was probably the better policy. Then she added rapidly, “Mother doesn’t know about it yet. No one knows. Not even Bruce.”

The Judge nodded. “I shall say nothing.” He gazed at the two of them then smiled paternally.