“Ms. Wrigley also won first prize for the best Touch of Romance novel for Manhattan Merger. Both women were going to be honored at a banquet this fall.
“Under the circumstances they’ll forego those awards in order to spare Mr. Sterling any unnecessary publicity or exposure. Our company will instruct the people at the U.S. Romance Author/Publisher Convention to pick two other winners.
“As for the books already in print and shipped out through the book club, it would be impossible to judge how many readers would know the man on the cover is Mr. Payne Sterling.
“Your Honor?” she said after taking a drink of water. “Would it be permissible to ask how Mr. Sterling came to find out his likeness was on the cover of Manhattan Merger?”
The judge looked at Drew. “Mr. Wallace?” he prompted.
Payne nodded when Drew turned to him for permission.
“His sister’s daughter reads romances and noticed the likeness. So did the maid who’s also a romance reader.”
Ms. Carlow smiled. “Thank you, Your Honor.”
“Is there anything else, Counselor?”
“No.”
“Very well.” The judge looked at Drew. “Mr. Wallace? Are you ready to make closing remarks?”
“Yes, Your Honor. The extensive amount of testimony provided by the defendants has ruled out any hint of stalking violations which was my client’s primary fear.
“My client could wish the published books with his likeness on the covers weren’t in the public domain. However in view of Ms. Carlow’s assertion that my client’s likeness will never again grace a future Red Rose Romance cover, another fear has been removed.
“At this time my client and I would like to thank the court for hearing this case in such a timely manner. I also wish to congratulate opposing counsel for the outstanding defense she prepared on such short notice.”
After Drew sat down, the judge removed his glasses. “I too want to compliment both parties for conducting yourselves in a professional manner. This is an unusual case to come before the court.”
Payne suddenly heard a voice cry out from the other side of the room.
“Your Honor?”
“Yes, Ms. Bennett?”
“Could I say something?”
“Go ahead.”
“If I had been Mr. Sterling, I would have brought this case to court just as he did in the hope of preventing another tragedy. But Red Rose Publishing is not to blame. Neither is Bonnie Wrigley.
“I—I’m the one who painted him without permission and brought him more grief unknowingly,” her voice trembled. “Ignorance is no excuse. I’m the guilty party. I feel so horrible about it, I don’t know how to begin to make restitution.
“If there’s to be a severe financial punishment, let it be on my head, no one else’s.”
“Thank you, Ms. Bennett. I do believe you’ve learned an important and necessary lesson in the early stages of your brilliant career. You never know who the stranger in the crowd or the photograph might turn out to be.
“A priceless gift like yours is going to have to be used with care in the future, as you’ve discovered. Call it destiny or fate, you happened to paint the one man whose phenomenal success in life has made him vulnerable to the ugliest elements in our society. The tragedy that befell his fiancée should never have happened.
“It is also unfortunate that no one at Red Rose Publishers caught the problem in time to rectify it. However Ms. Carlow has assured the court that the company will require its artists to use licensed models from now on. A very wise move which will prevent unwanted occurrences like this from happening again.
“As for Ms. Wrigley’s scholarly researched fiction novel which paralleled Mr. Sterling’s life to a great degree, testimony has proved it to be one of those inexplicable coincidences. Counsel for the plaintiff said it best. ‘Art imitating life.’
“In conclusion, the court has listened to testimony and finds no evidence of evil doing or intent to do evil on the part of Ms. Bennett, Ms. Wrigley or Red Rose Romance Publishers.
“Opposing counsels can get together to decide on disposition of drawings, disks, paintings, books already in print that can still be pulled, books that are still awaiting translation for foreign markets, et cetera.”
The judge pounded his gavel. “Case dismissed.”