It hadn't taken him more than few more seconds of paralysis before he leapt into action, calling down to the front desk to be connected to her room.

"I'm sorry, Sir, we have no one by that name registered at the hotel."

Strike one. "Okay, thank you – can you connect me to the manager of the hotel bar please?"

Please, please, please…

"I'm sorry, Sir, we didn't have any official bookings from a sorority group last night although I believe there was at least two bachelorette parties here but I think they were all from other hotels."

Strike two. "Okay, thank you. Um, can you tell me where the nearest wedding chapel is, please?"

"Oh yes sir, we have one right here in the hotel. It's just off the lobby in the east wing."

Ball one – still have a chance. But first, he had another call to make. He picked up the receiver and dialled carefully, bracing himself for what was going to come next.

"Hi, Billy."

The county clerk at the chapel looked singularly unimpressed when Lee flipped his wallet open to flash his badge. "Sorry, Buddy," she said before he could even speak. "Without a warrant, I can't just show you any marriage records."

"Not even my own?" he asked wearily, pulling out the certificate from his jacket pocket and holding it out, along with his ID.

The clerk gave him a long look before taking the licence and the ID and studying them carefully. "You just trying to make sure you really did it?" she grinned. "Gee, it's been at least at least two days since that happened." She began flipping through the filing cabinet behind her. "What is it about Vegas that makes people want to gamble their money and their lives?" she asked rhetorically. "There ya go – Stetson and King," she went on, handing him the file. "Wife send you down to get more proof? It's usually the guys who need to have it proved to them."

"Something like that," he answered, trying not to react to the word 'wife' as he jotted down Amanda's address in his case book. "Thanks for the help."

Arlington. He blew out a breath not sure if it was relief or something else. What were the odds she'd live less than ten miles from his apartment?

"Um, so, uh, just in case, you know, since neither of us were…"

"Entirely sober?" asked the clerk with deadpan humor. "Gee, it's only been one day since that happened," she added as she handed him something.

Lee glanced down and realized he was holding a glossy government brochure titled 'Annnuling a Marriage in Nevada.'

"Thanks," he said sheepishly and turned away.