The Last Drink

 THREE HOURS LATER-

Judge Stephon White went to the rooftop poolside bar looking for Attorney Paul Johnson..

Surprisingly enough.. He wasn't there.

"You just missed him buddy...He just paid his tab and left.." said the Bartender.

Judge White went to his room....where he found him drunk out of his mind

He was with a woman and he was kissing her..

"Ummmmmmmmm come on darlin, that's enough...You're so drunk, you can't even get it up.. You need to lie down.. Drink some water first...drink it for mama." she said.

There was two glasses of cold water

and a pitcher of water on his night stand.

''Alrighttttt...Don't leave...When I wake up, I'm gonna put it on ya baby!" he moaned.

He popped the cap on a beer and chugged it down...

"Don't you think you've had enough Paul ? Drink some water." said Stephon White.

"Yes, I was just suggesting he do that. How are you Stephon?  It's been awhile." said the woman.

"Yes Bridget..It has been awhile.. About five years." said Stephon White...

He picked up a glass of water and passed it to Paul...

"Here..Drink this..It'll make you feel better." he said.

Paul gulped the glass of water down and then another.. 

"Ahhhhhh that felt good...I didn't wanna do it... I didn't wanna say nothing..but they made me.. I needed the money...I swear...It was nothin personal against you...I aint got nothin against you...I'm not gonna lie for him anymore.. I'm going to be sober tomorrow and I'm going to straighten this all out babe.. I swear." he said and then fell over, snoring..

"Can I take you to lunch? We can catch up." said Judge White..

"Sure..." said Bridget..

As they walked out of his room, leaving him snoring.

At our office... everybody was having a good laugh..

"OH MY GOD!! OH MY GOD!!! AUNTAYYY, how could you keep a straight face during that?? He took the fifth dimension..." laughed Beverly...

"And then he said.. "I'll be back tomorrow when I'm sobered up but right now I'm liquored up..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA."laughed Nelson hysterically...

''When he fell down...I was done...The Judge yelled "He's Soused! Talk about stating the obvious.. I could see that from the time he walked in.."laughed Josie.

''Yeah, everyone could..what made anyone think he could be a good witness?" laughed Bresha.

''You all laugh, but I remember him...He was an incredible lawyer at one time.. before I was even in law school..I'd heard of him.. He was a gifted attorney..Well dressed..Eloquent and well versed  in court... and I feel sad when I look at him now...a damn drunk." said Olivia.

"Liv is right.. I have the book on him...'' I said and I showed them his file..

Paul Reginald Johnson

born in Philadelphia PA.

Graduated from St. Joseph's Prep, Philadelphia PA.

B.A.- Pre Law/Administration of Justice/ Trial Advocacy- Harvard University, Boston

J.D.- Harvard University

Speaks Spanish/French/Russian Fluently

Passed the Bar in MA. /CT./New York/Pennsylvania/Deleware and New Jersey

Assistant District Attorney- Boston

MBA-Wharton School of Business/University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA>

Assistant District Attorney-Philadelphia PA.

Assistant U.S. Attorney -Southern Region of Pennsylvania.

Assistant U.S. Attorney- Virginia 

Senior Associate Attorney- Colgate and Sons, Wilmington , Deleware..

Partner - Munson and Johnson Attorneys at Law.

Married to Bridgett Honeywell, Divorced, no children

"BOYYYYYY DID I MIS JUDGE HIM!!! THIS GUY WAS THE TRUTH!" exclaimed Bresha.

''HE WAS INCREDIBLE!!!!! ,HOW FAR HE'S FALLEN!" said Nelson..

"WOWWWW...HARVARD LAW SCHOOL GRAD...AND PENN MBA!!!..He was quite impressive." said Beverly.

''WAS HE STILL PRACTICING?" asked Josie.

''I don't know...These bank accounts and statements Donnie Ray has shows he didn't want for much..

He had a healthy bank account...Savings and Checking.. And His Credit Card was paid off completely and on time every month...Somebody was taking care of him." said Olivia.

"He was listed as a founding partner at Munson and Johnson and getting a paycheck...but according to my findings.. He hadn't tried in case in over six years....yet was drawing a paycheck... It appears he was married and when his marriage broke up...he went down the toilet...drinking, passing out, unable to work...But we need to find out what he was mixed up in Five years ago that affected Stephon White...I did find out one interesting fact...

It is rumored that one year after the divorce was finalized.. Up and coming young Attorney Stephon White and Bridget Honeywell-Johnson began a torrid affair." I said.

"You think that's what it was Auntay?  Judge White's affair with Paul Johnson's wife?" asked Beverly.

"Yeah Revenge?" asked Josie.

"They weren't actually having an affaor, He came along after they were divorced....but depending on how close they were...it could be a triggering point..I don't know."said Olivia.

''Well we've got another preliminary hearing tomorrow."said Nelson..

''I hope he straightens himself up."said Bresha.

"Hope Springs Eternal." I said.

II-

The Office of Attorney Ronald Munson..

''Come in Bert...Do you have the information I requested?" said Attorney Ronald Munson

"I can't tell you how many attorneys ask me for information on these guys.. "laughed Private Investigator, Bert Vandenberg.

"You ever met em?" asked Ron Munson.

"Actually...I have..They're nice people." said Bert Vandenberg.

"I'm sure they are...What are they doing mixed up with Stephon White?" laughed Ron Munson.
  

Olivia Marissa Bennett-Alexander

Graduated , Philadelphia High School for Girls

B.A. Administration of Justice, Pre-Law, Trial Advocacy -Temple University..

J.D.-University of Pennsylvania Law School

Passed the Bar, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Deleware, Texas, California

 Speaks French and Spanish Fluently...

Worked as a Public Defender, 

Worked for Bach and Roach LLC, as Associate Attorney

Founding partner-Alexander & West , Attorneys at law..

Divorced- Elwood Barnes..,Corporate Attorney 

No Children, two miscarriages..

Married-Donnie Ray Alexander

Beverly Cheryl West-East

Graduated , Philadelphia High School for Girls

B.A. Administration of Justice, Pre-Law-Trial Advocay, Temple University..

J.D.-University of Pennsylvania Law School

Passed the Bar, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Deleware, Texas, California

 Speaks French and Spanish Fluently...

Worked as a Public Defender,

 Founding Partner-Alexander & West Attorney's at Law.

Daughter of Olivia's Older Half Brother, James West... Olivia's Niece

Married to Nelson East.

Nelson Sean East

Graduated, West Catholic High School-Philadelphia PA.

B.A. Administration of Justice, Pre-Law- St. Johns University, New York City
Psychology Minor...

J.D. -St. Johns Univeristy Law School, New York City..

Passed The Bar , New York, Pennsylvania, Deleware, New Jersey, Texas, California 

Speaks Spanish , French and Russian Fluently...

Worked as Public Defender, 

 Associate Attorney at Robert Foxworth and Associates.

Associate Attorney at Alexander and West , Attorneys at law.

Married to Beverly West

Donnie Ray Alexander

Born and Raised in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Educated in New Orleans Public Schools..

Associates Degree- New Orleans Community College-Administration of Justice, Pre Law

Homicide Detective, New Orleans Police Department, Retired.

Principal Investigator, Alexander and West Attorneys at law-Philadelphia PA.

Married to Olivia Bennett

Also a semi-professional musician

Josephine Boyd

Born in Philadelphia PA.

Raised in Red Hook Section of New York City 

Bachelors of Science, Architecture from Fisk University

Master in Business Administration- University of Pennsylvania.

Para -Legal -Alexander & West Attorneys at law.

JD- Drexel  University Law School..

Passed the Bar in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Deleware, New York, Texas, California

Associate Attorney-Alexander & West, Attorneys at Law, Philadelphia.

Married to Paris Boyd

Bresha Billips

Graduated from Philadelphia High School For Girls

B.A. Administration of Justice,/ Trial advocacy /Pre Law- Lasalle University, Philadelphia PA.

J.D.- Middleton Law School, Bayside ,Pennsylvania.

Passed the bar, Pennsylvania, Deleware, New Jersey, New York

Speaks Spanish and French Fluently...

Associate Attorney at Alexander and West , Attorneys at law...

Married to Attorney Tony Billips

''They're all quite impressive.. Three are PENN graduates...I went to Dartmouth myself...I just like to know who I'm up against..heh heh heh."laughed Ronald Munson..

He looked at his file on Stephon White

Stephon Lincoln White

Born in Philadelphia PA.

All Public High School Basketball

Attended Gratz High School,Philadelphia PA.

Graduated from Central High School, Philadelphia PA.

BA- Trial Advocacy/ Pre Law/ Administration of Justice- Lasalle University, Philadelphia PA.

JD- University of Pennsylvania School of Law

Speaks Spanish , French and Russian Fluently...

Practiced International Law at the Institute for International Studies, New York City.

Assistant District Attorney -New York City, New York

Assistant District Attorney- Philadelphia PA.

Associate Attorney- Colgate and Sons

Sr. Associate Attorney - Waller & Waller and Associates.

Senior Associate Attorney - The Harris Group

Married -Attorney Virginia Shaw, Divorced..

Engaged to Bridget Honeywell, Engagement called off

Judge- Philadelphia Common Pleas Court

Present Candidate for Lt. Governor, Pennsylvania.

"Hmmmm very interesting... Bert you are worth every penny you are paid.. Great job..."said a very happy Ronald Munson.

"Thank you sir." said Bert...

Ronald Munson's phone rang.

"Hello." he said.

"Ronnie..it worked out better than we could have hoped.. I had no idea he was going to actually show up....He not only showed up, but he served him the water.. His fingerprints are on the pitcher and the water glasses.. I went back and wiped my fingerprints down." came the voice.

''Excellent...This worked out better than I could have hoped.." said Ronald Munson.

''Excellent...Excellent!" said Ronald Munson...For the first time..He smiled.

"Bert..check your account...Your money should be showing up immediately... I need one more favor.. I need the phone number of the Absolute Dumbest Homicide Detective on the force... He or she needs to get an anonymous phone call." said Ronald Munson..

"Oh Have I got a guy for you."laughed Bert Vandenberg...

THE NEXT DAY -

"It's 10:00 AM...He's two hours late.... Is he coming? He said he'd be sober today." asked Olivia.

"Liv..I was in his room yesterday immediately after the hearing.. He was pissy drunk... I put him to bed...He said he'd be sober and come here today and clear this whole thing up...I swear."said Judge White.

''Stephonnn, you're a lawyer...You're a Judge...You know you shouldn't be talking to him, you shouldn't be anywhere near him...What were you doing over there?" asked Olivia..

''Look, I know him Liv, we used to be associates, colleagues.. Friends.. I had to know what this was all about.. I reached out to him, as a friend.. I had to look him in the eye and see what he'd say...He said he was lying for someone, but that he wasn't going to lie anymore..He told me he was coming here to straighten this out." said Stephon.

"Still you shouldn't have been near him...The Prosecution can argue coercion!" said Olivia.

"You're right...You're right Liv." said Stephon White , hanging his head.

Beverly looked at her watch..

"This Judge makes us come to court at the crack of dawn and this clown hasn't shown up."she said.

"He's probably drunk, sleeping it off." said Nelson.

"He was drunk the last time , but he made it here." said Josie.

Bresha looked at her watch..."He's almost two hours late...Where is Deputy D.A. Britt Burger for that matter??? ,Neither of them are here. Even he is not here." she said.

I looked around..Something did seem off here.. I was hoping the Judge would adjourn the court for the day...

The Judge was livid..I could tell.. He was looking at his watch too!  It was now 10:30...We Had been here since 8:00 AM.

Just then Deputy District Attorney Britt Burger walked in..He looked exasperated...

"This Hearing is Over.....You're a lucky man Mr. White." he said.

''What are you talking about?"asked Stephon White.

"Our Witness , Our Only witness against you IS  DEAD!!!How convenient for you Mr. White...He was found dead in his bedroom an hour ago... You're free to go.. The Fraud hearing is over, Dead in the water." he said frustrated... He walked away..

''Well Hallelujah ...Court dismissed!" said The Judge.

"Let's go get something to eat." said Olivia....

"Great Idea..let's eat here in this cafeteria..." said Beverly...

"I don't care where we eat as long as we do."said Nelson.

"I hear you." I said.. I wasn't anxious to get involved in this at all...I was relieved this was over so fast..

we had just finished a big case.

"I'm just glad it's over."said Josie.

"Me too! Sorry the guy died. I bet it was cirrhosis of the liver." said Bresha.

"Thank You Guys....It was nice seeing you again Olivia." said Stephon White.

''Be Well Stephon and good luck!" said Olivia.

Attorney Ronald Munson stood in the back of the courtroom ,smiling...

"Laugh now Judge White...The Best is yet to come..but not for you." he laughed.

III-

The Condo where Attorney Paul Johnson lived and drank.

Crime Scene Forensics men snapped photos of his body, lying peaceful in the bed ...Clad in just his boxers and a white T-shirt...

"He looks so peaceful, like he's sleeping.." said Dr. Hazel Baylor..  This blue stuff around his mouth,

It smells like almonds." said Hazel..

''Arsenic?"said Dr. Marcy Martin..

''Cyanide. There is an empty beer bottle here... It could've been delivered through that... He drank two glasses of water...put those glasses in a plastic bag... They might have prints on em.."said Hazel..

"The Bartender says he left with a woman...Oh and this pitcher of water.. we tested  it..The Cyanide is in the water....He was probably so drunk he didn't even taste it when he drank the water...Poor slob, he was probably drinking the water to sober up.." said one of the lab guys..

''Call Homicide, Detectives Reed and Malloy" said Dr.Hazel Baylor, Coroner.

"Too Late" said Dr. Marcy Martin also a coroner,pointing.

Lt. Tragg walked in..

''What have we got here?" he asked as he scanned the room.

"Shitttt!" said Hazel under her breath...Of all of the detectives on the force , she hated working with Lt. Tragg the absolute most. He was sexist, a bit of a racist and condescending...He never listened to anyone unless they of course had higher rank than him...

She despised him greatly...He knew it.. He couldn't for the life of him figure out why Hazel hated him so much!

He looked at the body....

"He looks very peaceful....What's this blue stuff around his mouth? Smells like Almonds....Arsenic?" he asked.

"No. Cyanide !He was poisoned...The CSI boys think the poison was either in the beer bottle or the Pitcher of water...We've got em bagged and tagged.. We are going to test the water.." said Marcy Martin..

"I know this guy...His name is Paul Johnson.... He was once a big time lawyer...People thought of him the way they think of Olivia and Beverly or Yvette Jones today.. but he was around before them.. years before them...He was one of the best...Then he became a damn drunk!!...Shame to see him go out like this.." said Lt. Tragg.

"We talked to the Bartender at the bar upstairs Lieutenant.. He left with a woman....There are plenty of prints in this room, maybe we'll get a lead on her." said a CSI man.

"He was supposed to be testifying in the Fraud trial against Judge Stephon White...Guess that now that he's dead there won't be any fraud trial.. This was the only witness. How Convenient for him eh? Okay, get him out of here...Get that Autopsy report to me ASAP." said Lt. Tragg.

He watched as the body was put in a body bag and carted off...

With the case over.. We closed the shop..

We sent Alfreda home.

Beverly and Nelson went to the movies.

Josie and  Bresha went shopping...

Olivia and I were upstairs in our domicile kissing passionately....

and undressing....

Slipping her panties and bra off.

and hoisting her in the air...

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!! OH MY GODDDDDDDDDDDDDdDd

HUSBAND!!!!!" she screamed out...

"OHHHHHH OLIVIA, I"M LOSING MY MIND!!!" I cried out..

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM...MEOWWWWWWWWW!" she cooed.

"OHHHHHHHH!"I moaned.

We sat on the bed... with Olivia moving up and down on me..seemingly slower and slower, driving both of us to near delirium...

"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH OLIVIA...I LOVE YOU SOO MUCH!" I screamed out..

"I LOVE YOU TOO DONNIE RAY!! OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" she screamed out..

Riding me like a surfer rides the waves..

"OHHHHHH OLIVIA, I"M LOSING MY  DAMN MIND!!! TIS IS SOOOO GOOOD!" I cried out..

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM...MEOWWWWWWWWW!" she cooed.

"OHHHHHHHH! MORE...MORRRRRRRE"I moaned.

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!" she cooed..

and finally spending the next NINE TO TEN HOURS making sweet love in our smart bed.

Olivia's phone was on the charger..it was still on...but it wasn't ringing. Not this afternoon..

IV-

A Saturday Morning...

Against our common sense.. We decided to have breakfast at Sam Mother's this morning..Beverly and Nelson , Josie and Paris, Bree and Tony and Kayla and Ray joined us...We didn't feel like cooking this morning and it was a nice day..

"It's a beautiful day...Anybody got any plans?" asked Olivia, sitting in my lap, with my arms around her waist..

''I might wander down to Josie's and see who's playing tonight or if they need an extra trumpet." I said.

''Me and Kayla and Jazzy are getting a mani-pedi...Me and my Hussssband may take in another movie this afternoon." said Beverly...

''Yeah that was nice the other afternoon.."said Nelson.

"I'm glad that fraud case ended quick and we were able to have a few days off... I got my nails done, picked up my dry cleaning and got some much needed rest." said Josie, who looked relaxed and well rested.

"I heard the guy, the main witness was found dead in his bed." said Paris.

"Yeah...He drank like a fish, I'll bet his liver gave out on him."said Bresha.

"You keep saying that....I heard a report that he may have been poisoned " said her husband Tony...

''Oh Wowwww I hadn't heard that." said Beverly.

"When Bev told me he said he'd take the Fifth Dimension...I was through...I nearly went through the floor." laughed Kayla.

"So did I....I wished you guys could have filmed that.....They would have had to escort me out of there..I swear." laughed Ray...

Our coffees and Orange Juices came first..

Then Sam's Saturday Special, Waffles ,Sausage and Eggs to Order...

We actually managed to eat and finish our meal in peace, with quiet and light hearted conversation.

Some of us actually ordered second cups of coffee...

Judge Stephon White walked in.. he stopped at our table...

"Good Morning Olivia, Beverly, friends...What's good on the menu?" he asked.

"The Saturday Special..Waffles, Sausage and Eggs to order." said Nelson..

''Sounds Good. Good morning Olivia." he said with a bright smile and a leer in his eye.

''You said Good Morning Already..but Good Morning." said Olivia, smiling. No longer in my lap, but drinking the last of her coffee.

Lt. Tragg walked in with a Tactical Unit just then....

We had at least gotten to finish our food today with no interruption from him...We had come close to making it out of Sam Mother's Diner with no interruption.

"Your Honor, I'm Afraid I'm gonna have to put the cuffs on you... You're under arrest for the murder of Attorney Paul Johnson...You have the right to remain silent...Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law...You have the right to an Attorney.....You have your pick of attorneys right here at this table...Heh heh heh...If you can't afford an attorney, which is very doubtful, you being a judge and all ,one will be provided for you...I'm sure you understand these rights, you being a Judge and all...At least for now." said Lt. Tragg as he handcuffed him..."Take Him away Boys." he said.

''This must be some mistake.. This can't be for real." said Stephon White, looking confused...

"Oh it was a mistake alright and YOU MADE IT!!  You'll never be tried for fraud...but you will be tried for Murder in the First Degree....Get HIM OUTTA HERE BOYS!" said Lt. Tragg as Judge White was dragged out of the diner in handcuffs..as we all sat stunned..

Lt. Tragg enjoyed our stunned expressions.. He smiled with glee...

''Enjoy the rest of your breakfast folks!" he said.

(TO BE CONTINUED)