Mrs. Russell

A few days later, Zoey drove back to her loft...To pack another overnight bag....She had planned to invite Lem over to spend the weekend if they weren't working on the appeal.. They had spent the last few nights together...It had been pure heaven....She loved making love with him and then going to sleep in his arms and waking up in them.. She felt safe and secure and had some of the best sleep, she'd experienced in months..

She showered and dressed and packed an overnight bag....She sifted through her mail...Mostly utility bills and junk mail.. She was about to leave when she noticed a brown file addressed to her ,with no return address...and no postage!!


She picked it up and opened it..

It was Lem's Juvenile record...which was supposed to be sealed..  He had a conviction...When he was in the 11th grade for Assault...He had beat ujp one of his teachers..He was expelled from the High School and spent 7 months in the youth study center...He had to do the 11th grade over..As a result...He wound up graduating a year later than his class..


He attended Lasalle,made pretty decent grades and transferred to Temple.. finished and got a B.A. in Administration of Justice... Won a William Crawley Jr. Scholarship in Debating ,which helped him get into Penn Law School....He worked as an intern/clerk for a lawyer downtown to pay his way through Penn...He graduated and passed the bar...

She read it and then lit a match and burned it...All it meant was that Lem had told her the truth...She knew about his juvenile record...

It would be easy for her to think that I had done this ,being an investigator....but she knew that this came from one person and one person only...

ELWOOD BARNES!
He had seen her with Lem a few nights before and he figured if Zoey had this information it would drive a wedge in the relationship...

She shook her head.. Elwood was such a jerk...She had told him to stop calling her, texting her and emailing her...which he had done...But she saw he was still watching her..
She was more sorry than ever she had given him the time of day...

She had already paid her last months rent and informed her realtor that she was about to be moving soon.. but not to put the for rent sign up just yet...because she had a stalker.. Her realtor agreed..

Zoey smiled and got in her car and headed to the courthouse to meet us.


II-

A Day before.. I contacted Polly Singelton, Now Polly Russell.. She had remarried and had two small children...She had completely cleaned herself up and was living in a nice neighborhood...


Her husband didn't know about her past life...

She tried to deny her past life...She denied being who she was....I was glad Lem was with me that day...


She was an attractive woman...Shapely and Buxom....She looked like the picture perfect version of the suburban housewife...

He produced her police file, complete with her multiple arrest record that her husband knew nothing about...Her mug shot and her fingerprints..


She looked terrified...


"What do you guys want?" she asked.


"I'm an Attorney.." said Lem, This is Donnie Ray Alexander, an investigator for Alexander and West " he said.


As soon as he said that, her eyes got wide as saucers...

"You mean as in Olivia Bennett Alexander and Beverly West?? I've seen those two on the news.. They're sisters right?" she said.

"Aunt and Niece....Olivia is my wife." I said.


"Ohhhhhhhhhhhh.." she said, smiling.. Then she got serious..


"Look....What kind of trouble am I in?" she asked.

"None.. Olivia Bennett-Alexander, Beverly West and I are representing Sarah Pinkston, She's on Death Row....She's been on death row because of a lie you told seven years ago..." said Lem...




"Look...Lawless came on to me...He said if I was uh nice to him...He'd lower my husband's sentence...get them 10 -15 on manslaughter...He said that Singleton and Pierson were too stupid to have masterminded this themselves....They had to have had someone else to give them the blueprint of the house and the safe..I gave em Jimmy Valentine...He said the same thing about Jimmy Valentine...too stupid...In fact, he doubted that Jimmy was involved at all...I couldn't give him the real shot caller...That guy was heavy..he'd have you killed.." she said.

"Who was the real shot caller?" I asked..


She shrugged..


"I guess it doesn't matter now.. He's in prison...for life.. Dante Peppers...He knew about the safe and he gave them the set up..They hit the place and gave him his cut...Only he didn't tell them to kill anybody...Once they were hot for the murder he dis-associated himself from the whole caper and warned them...That if they got pinched...They'd better not tell.." she said.


I took Lem to the side..


"That makes sense...This guy Peppers...I read about him in the papers...He's down for life for another home invasion and jewel heist that resulted in a murder...He'll never cop to this...but he doesn't have to...Her story alone is enough to cast doubt and it shines a light on Lawless for prosecutional misconduct...It all fits Lem." I said.

Lem smiled..


"Wow! Being around Olivia has really taught you a lot about the law."he said.

"Olivia has taught me a lot of things that have nothing to do with the law..."I said..

He laughed...


"Lawd today.. I know she has...Her friend Zoey is teaching me some lessons...Wow! I barely made it to work today..." he sighed..

I smiled...


"Also..I did used to be a Homicide Detective...I know about these things.."I said.

"Oh Right." he said..


He looked at Polly..


"Mrs. Russell..We need your testimony....Your testimony and a death bed confession I have from your ex-husband, plus the testimony of the two case detectives is what I need to make my case and save this woman from a needle...Would you do the right thing?" said Lem...


"I can't afford for this to get out.. My husband and my neighbors have no idea who I used to be..I'd like to help you guys but..." she said.

"And I'd hate to have you subpoenaed Mrs. Russell...because then it would become a part of the public record and might just make the evening news." I said.


She looked at me with white hot anger..


"You really are a bastard." she said.


"Any more than you, letting a woman you know is innocent sit on death row because of a lie you told and your indiscretion to save your husband...?" I asked..


She shrugged..


"When you put it that way.."she said..

"We are calling for a one day, one time only testimony Mrs. Russell.." said Lem..


"Okay....Alright...but please..keep this on the low." she said.


III-

The day after that, we had all met in court for the second preliminary...

Lem,Olivia and Beverly gave their opening arguments....They presented their case without Sarah Pinkston being there....It was just before a judge and the original prosecutor...Ed Lawless...No fan of Olivia or Beverly....

Nelson and Zoey watched and took notes....


Ed Lawless appeared to be annoyed that the two of them were sitting in attendance...


"Who the hell are they?" he asked..

"Attorneys Nelson East...Observer and Consultant and Zoey Easter, Observer and Consultant..."said Olivia...


"They don't need to be here...It's too many damn Attorneys involved in this as it is.." he bellowed..

"You're always welcome to invite some attorneys to observe you.." said Beverly...


Lawless was furious...


"You know, you always did have a smart mouth." he said.


"ADA Lawless, the two Attorneys are not causing any trouble...They aren't your problem..What is disturbing me is possible prosecutorial misconduct on your part." said The Judge, A young Black man, younger than Liv, Lem and Zoey who looked like he wasn't in the mood for any foolishness on either side.


"Lies...Lies...All Lies...These two are sensationalists.. They'll attach themselves to any case to get on the TV..." Ed Lawless bellowed..


''Well we'll see as this trial gets underway ADA Lawless.."said the Judge.

"They're here at my request, Not that that is any of your business Lawless." said Lem.

"Anything involved with this case is my business.." said Ed Lawless.

"Order in the court..."said the Judge...

"I am ordering a hearing with a jury for Monday Morning...be prepared.." said the Judge..


"Oh for the love of Pete." said ADA Ed Lawless. .who stomped his foot and stormed out of court..

I did my research on Assistant District Attorney Edward Lawless..


Born in New York City...Educated in the New York City Public School System...He attended Columbia University and got his Law degree there also.. He moved to Philadelphia with the first of his three wives.. where he became an ADA. He quickly rose through the ranks with 100 convictions...


His success cost him three wives.. There were rumors of cheating and womanizing on his part.


He unsuccessfully ran for States Attorney twice...and for District Attorney once...having failed...he was still an ADA, prosecuting violent crimes...He had been censored twice for Prosecutorial misconduct....He was a man walking on egg shells..


I worried about Mrs. Russell....I told Olivia of my concerns..

"Does he know that Polly Singelton is now Mrs. Russell?" she asked.

"He might not." said Donnie Ray..

"But just like you found out...He can find out..." said Beverly...

"Could I talk to her?" asked Zoey.

"You?" asked Nelson.

"Yeah....I think I can talk to her in a way she'd understand..." said Zoey...

"Why not? What have we got to lose? We need her testimony." said Olivia.


IV-

As Zoey left the courthouse ,she ran into a familiar figure..Elwood Barnes.

"Will Wonders never cease.. Fancy meeting you here." he said, laughing.

"Still Stalking me Elwood?" she asked.

"Stalking you?  Stalking you? Oh come on now Zoey! Actually.. I had a court date..."he said.

"Some woman sue you for not returning her panties?" asked Zoey.....

That stung Elwood...


"Actually it was insurance company business...What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Olivia, Beverly and  Mr. Anderson are appealing a death penalty case...Mr. East and I are Observers/Consultants..." she said.

"Ohhhh I see...." he said.

"But I think you know that...." she said.


Actually...He did...He had been watching the hearing from afar for a few days now.  He knew she was meeting with his ex-wife, Olivia a lot ,and now he knew why.


"Oh and by the way.. I got your package this morning.." she said.

"Package? I don't know what you're talking about.." he lied.. Smiling slyly.

"I knew about Lem's Juvenile record...He told us when we first agreed to assist him with the case...Old news....If you're thinking about sending him my file, I told him about my abortion and my past drug addiction and rehab and the 12 step program.. He doesn't care.." said Zoey...

"Of course he doesn't...He wants to get in your panties.." said Elwood.

 "And so do you!.... So do you!....Who are you kidding ?  Only difference is...He has a much more likely chance of a return to them than you do." said Zoey.


Again, Elwood was stung! The thought of Zoey with this Attorney made him sick to his stomach.....

 "Is it serious between you two? Come on...How long have you known each other, two weeks, three tops?? Plus he's younger than you...You need an older man, a man who can school you. A seasoned man.." said Elwood..


"Like you right?" she asked..


''Well...What can I say?" he said.

"Goodbye Elwood!!!...Don't make me have to get a restraining order..." she said and walked away...

Elwood stomped his foot and then violently kicked the trash can over..

"Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu DAMN IT!!! DAMN IT, DAMN IT TO HELL!!!" he snarled.

"You Okay man?" I asked...Olivia and I were just leaving the court with Beverly and Nelson and Lem...

Elwood fumed...


"I'm fine...I'm fine....Thanks for asking ....Bad day in court is all." he said.

Beverly cracked up laughing...


''I'm sure the Judge ,Jury and everybody involved thought so too." she said.

 Elwood angrily stared at Beverly...

"You know...There are times when you are tolerable....and then there is today!" he said.

"You know...There are times when you are tolerable...Nahhhh...No it isn't." said Beverly....

''Bahhhhhhhhh!" said Elwood , who stormed out of the courtroom in a huff!

Nelson snickered...


"He really doesn't like you babes..." he said.

Olivia snickered...  "Bev, You always could push his buttons....and it's always been funny." she laughed..

"He's mildly entertaining at times....Then there is today!"laughed Beverly.....

"You two ought to have a sitcom...Fred and Esther had nothing on you too!" I laughed....

Olivia looked at Lem, who had witnessed the entire exchange and shrugged.


"That's my ex-husband..." she said.

"That's the guy that was in the bar , drunk the other night...He seems a bit troubled. I see why you left him..." laughed Lem.

"You don't know the half." said Olivia and Beverly in unison......and then laughing...

Lem laughed...


"Never mind.. I swear.. you two are more like sisters than Aunt and Niece" he said.

"Bev is my sister...in many ways.." said Olivia, hugging her niece..

"Yup!" said Beverly...

"That's my girls...Let's get some food and some drinks." I said.

"Good Idea." said Lem.


Meanwhile  Zoey was on the other side of town.....

Polly Russell answered the door..

"Hi...I'm an Attorney...I'm working with Lemeul Anderson, Olivia Bennett-Alexander and Beverly West on the Sarah Pinkston appeal.. My name is Zoey Easter, my card.." said Zoey...


"Damn, how many lawyers are representing her? Who did she sleep with???." said Polly.


Zoey laughed..


"I want to talk to you about Ed Lawless..."said Zoey...


"What about him? That low down nasty dog...He used me...He wanted to sleep with me from day one..He told me if I gave him some...He 'd lighten my husband's sentence..I never wanted to sleep with him...but I did and I'm ashamed...He wound up giving my husband life anyway, after he got all he wanted from me..He tossed me away like I was cheap trash..."she said.


"Wouldn't you like to get back at Ed? Get a little revenge??" asked Zoey...


"I already told that other lawyer I would testify..."she said.


"I know, but we got an open trial date ,starting Monday...Ed Lawless is going to call you, threaten you...I want you to record his call if he does...We are not going to allow him intimidate you...or threaten you. He's a man who uses women for sex...Who lies and who abandons or loses interest after he's gotten what he wants...My ex was like that...I know how you must have felt...He shouldn't get away with treating people like that." said Zoey..


Polly Russell smiled..


"I like the way you think lady." said Polly.

******************************************************************************

 Back at our house....Olivia and I were relaxing after a long day in court and other places...

''Wow...What a day.....You tired Donnie Ray?" asked Olivia..

"I was until now." I said and smiled..

Olivia saw me staring at her...Her blouse was open and she was wearing a black lace bra...She laughed...

''Yes, I guess you aren't tired..Not that tired huh?" she said.. "Me neither" she added and winked at me and then laughed a little..

"Never that tired.." I laughed...

Now she was lying across the bed ,checking her messages...Then she put her phone down...She motioned me over to her...

Olivia smiled...We began kissing softly and I kicked my shoes off, took my shirt off...Unzippered my trousers and took my socks off and crawled up on the bed with her...

Soon I was her kissing her passionately and she was rubbing my back and moaning..

"Ouuuuuuu...mama could use some loving too..It's been a few days..." she said in between kisses..

"Mmmmm yesssss...It has..." I said...
 
I took my left hand and slowly eased her panties down and off of her...

She looked at me and smiled...

"You are getting too good at this.." she said and smiled and gave me a nice slow and soft kiss..

"I've studied hard..." I said.

"Mmmmmm you're a good student...and speaking of hard...myyyyy goodness...Woooooou!" she said in between more kisses....

I  stared down into those gorgeous brown eyes of hers and I entered her slowly and gently..I wanted to savor this experience, I entered her softly and gently and began to stroke her softly and slowly....Olivia  moaned and put her arms around my neck and drew me closer to her..She wrapped her legs around my waste and we began to move in a slow, yet deliberate rhythm for quite some time...

"MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, you are real good at this .."she said in between slow deep kisses.

She matched me thrust for thrust and began blowing softly into my ear....then she began kissing me again, soft,short kisses...

Her body was so soft...so moist and smelled so good...I was losing my mind slowly like I always did when I made love to her......while continuing to stroke her masterfully....

"Mama loves the way you love her Donnie Ray.."she cooed..

"And I love loving her.." I said as I continued to move in and out....losing my mind....


The bed softly began to squeak......

"Ouuuuuuuuuuuuu give it to mama...ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.." she moaned..

"I certainly will.." I said..

V-

That night at Lem's Loft....Lem was once again pleasantly surprised by seeing Zoey...

"Zoey...." he said, smiling just as broadly as he could. She loved his laugh and his smile and how he was always so happy to see her...

"I just had a nice productive talk with Mrs. Russell....I don't think you have to worry about her testimony or Ed Lawless intimidating her." said Zoey..

"How can you be sure..?" asked Lem..

"I do think of myself as a pretty decent attorney and in addition, there are many other things I do quite well." she said..

He pulled her inside and took her in his arms and kissed her..

"Yes indeed... you do quite a few things...very...very well...myyy goodness girl! "he said kissing her passionately..

She giggled..as she kissed him softly at first and then passionately....

"Silly..."she giggled...

"Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm.." they both moaned..Zoey took his hand and led him to his bedroom.....She closed the door and closed the curtains at the window. Lem cut the lights off..

Elwood stood outside ,peering up at their loft...

Everybody was making love tonight...Except him!

He had been by our place just an hour before and heard Olivia..moaning..

''Ohhhhh my Godddddddddddddddd, MISTAH ALEXANDARRRR...OUUUUUUUUUUU....oooHHHHHHHHHHHHH......Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu..." she moaned ..."Don't Stop...Don't Stoppppppppppp...please...don't stopppp."OHHHHHHHHHHHH.... she moaned, which turned me on more...Another TWO HOURS of sweet lovemaking followed...

It's sooooooooooooooo goooddd...Oh my godddddddddddddd it's soooooo gooood! "she moaned... 

She was so moist, so soft...I exploded like a gusher!!!! Olivia began to shake mightily....and then she sighed..

Olivia looked up at me...

"WOW!" she said.

"Yessssss." I moaned..."YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS" I yelled out as I exploded again...

"Ouuuuuuuu,look at you!" she said...

Olivia was still climaxing a little bit herself...

"Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" she cooed softly!

"Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..." I moaned silently....

He had now driven a few blocks away...A subway stop to be exact....To Lem's Condo-

He was now listening to Zoey moaning...

"Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu...Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu..OHHHHHHHHHHH MY GODDDDDD!..OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU! Lem..."she moaned...

Now he began to really thrust....

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh Zoeyyyyyyyyy...Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu Zoey!!" he moaned...

The bed began to squeak and the headboard began to smack hard against the wall...

"Ohhhhhhhhhh Lem...Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu! Talk to me daddy...talk to me..." she cooed..


"UMMMMMMMMMMMMM..Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu girlllll!" he moaned..

"Lem....Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I think I love you baby! Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.." she moaned.

THAT WAS MORE THAN ELWOOD COULD BARE!!!

Elwood angrily kicked another trash can...and tossed a half full can of beer into the street....


(CONCLUSION NEXT)