Center Mast

PRELUDE- 11:35 PM- Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. 

The doorbell rang!

Robert Venison, wealthy Hedge Fund Manager walked to his front door....Upon seeing his visitor he held his hands up to shield his face...

"No...No...Noooooooo." please.. Please....I- I've changed my mind...please!" he pleaded..

The shadowy figure said nothing..

He aimed his weapon, a .22 with a silencer  and fired two shots, center mast, killing Robert Venison almost instantly... He was dead before he hit the floor..

The killer silently walked away..

Got in his car and pulled off... Nobody heard a thing...

SIX HOURS LATER-

"TWO SHOTS TO THE CHEST...CENTER MAST.... A DOUBLE TAP!" said one of the CSI men.. as photographers snapped photos of the scene and others dusted for prints..

''Time of death has it at around midnight or maybe a little before.."said Dr. Hazel Baylor.. Coroner and Forensic Specialist..

"Looks like a professional job.....Hmmmmm where was the wife? The daughter??

"They said they were in town at a restaurant, having dinner...She found the body Lieutenant, when she came home...She said the front door was wide open and he was laying in the foyer..." said a police officer..

"Hmmmmmmmm, a likely story...Pick her up.....Alright...let's get this body out of here...Hazel, get me

that autopsy report ASAP!"said Lt. Tragg.

''Why? You're not going to read it...Oh wait..The Prosecutor of whoever you arrest will have to read it."said Hazel, not even trying to hide her total disdain for Lt. Tragg.

"I'm going to speak to your husband about the level of respect you should have for me.." said Lt. Tragg.

"Okay boys ,let's go..bag him and tag him!" he said..

And so, the body of hedge Fund Manager, Robert Venison was put in a white body bag, strapped to a gurney and wheeled away to the wagon that would transport his body to the morgue..

ONE WEEK LATER-

COURTROOM A- 11:30

''Has the Jury come to a decision?"asked Judge Julie Wong..

"Yes we have your honor..."said The Foreman..

"Bailiff, give me the verdict.." she said..

The Bailiff passed her the verdict and she read it..

We stood with our latest client...

Stokely Johnson, accused of the murder of a stock boy in what we felt was clearly a case o mistaken identity...

He had never been in trouble before and he was shaking like a leaf at the thought of going to prison for life or worse, losing his life to lethal injection..

 

 "It's going to be alright Stokely...I believe in my heart we provided enough reasonable doubt to get an acquittal and if we didn't...We have an appeal already drawn up...This isn't over yet.."said Olivia  Bennett -Alexander, the lead attorney on this case.

I said nothing.. I was certain my investigation more than cleared him.. I'm Donnie Ray Alexander, Olivia's husband and Investigator...

"This case was different, we were dealing with a different detective...he was a little more thorough than Lt. Tragg...which isn't hard to do." said Attorney Beverly West-East...Olivia's niece and partner in her firm..

''Yeah..he might have been more thorough, but he was responsible for a number of dirty tricks.. bordering on downright dishonesty...He shouldn't have a badge as far as I'm concerned."said Nelson.

''Nelson is right. This guy is as much a disgrace to the badge as Lt. Tragg, but not as unhinged." said Josie.

"Look at him, standing over there looking so smug." said Bresha.

The Detective in question was Detective William Swift who had arrested our client and said to the press "Even if by some miracle he is innocent of this crime...I know his type...He'll just do something else and be in jail eventually..."

His racist attitude towards our client and most of the Black and Brown suspects he arrested was so apparent that even the ADA told him to cool it with the statements..

ADA Patrick Peace was once again up against us..We hadn't seen him in two years.. I'm sure he was glad of that...

The Bailiff read the verdict..

"THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA VS. STOKELYE. JOHNSON ON THE COUNT OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER FINDS THE DEFENDENT, NOT GUILTY! ON THE COUNT OF 2nd DEGREE MURDER, WE FIND THE DEFENDENT, NOT GUILTY AND ON THE COUNT OF MANSLAUGHTER, WE FIND THE DEFENDENT, NOT GUILTY!" said the bailiff.

"AWWWWW THANK YOU JESUS!" sighed our client Stokely, hugging Josie and Bresha.

Josie laughed gleefully...

"We told you , we'd get you off." she said.

"Tee Hee, and you were worried." laughed Bresha..

Olivia and Beverly leaped up into the air and high fived each other..

"WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" they exclaimed in unison..

Nelson laughed...He enjoyed seeing them leap up like that...

So did I... I loved seeing them all happy and I loved winning cases....

Assistant District Attorney Patrick Peace..shrugged his shoulders and walked out of court..

Detective William Swift stared icily at us for a moment...but said nothing...He stomped his foot and marched out of court, avoiding the press.. 

"I know we are famished guys,. but I'd rather eat somewhere else...Anywhere else than Sam Mother's Diner today." said Olivia.

 

"Come on,let's drive up to the Bridge Building...I'll check our vehicle for bugs...I don't expect to find any." I said.

"That's a good idea...I want to see my girls, Jazzy, Natalie and Cousin Kayla.." said Beverly...

"Not a bad idea...I rather like their selections." said Nelson..

"I want to see my husband." said Josie.

"Oh I do too!" said Bresha..

"Then it's unanimous..we are headed to the Bridge Building."said a happy Olivia.

We were stopped by a portly Attorney named Justin Brown, who we had met briefly a few trials ago.

"Mrs. Olivia Bennett-Alexander....Hello again....I wonder if we could talk somewhere in private...I have a proposition for you and I wouldn't like to discuss it in Sam Mother's diner.. Do you all have somewhere else you, uh we can eat?" he asked.

"Funny you would mention that...You got a car..You can follow us." said Beverly..

"Thank you....I'm right across the street." said Justin.

II-

THE BRIDGE BUILDING-

"WOWWWW! This is a relatively new building... I remember when it was being built....I see it's open for business now." said Justin Brown looking around..

"It is impressive isn't it?  Most of our friends, neighbors and colleagues work here." I said. 

"This cafeteria is like a five star restaurant with all of the choices."said Olivia.

 

"It's an adventure to come here." I said as we got our food and headed to the counter...

"Ahhhhhhhhh so relaxing....I can kick my heels off and relax finally." said Beverly...

"Yeah, we have had a busy couple of weeks." said Nelson...

"How you doing husband?" asked Josie..

"I'm waiting for my grade on a paper I wrote... I got A's on my other projects..but this professor seems difficult...like he has it in for me.." said Paris.

"Awwwwww I'm sure you did well Paris."said Bresha.

"Hang in there Buddy Not much longer."said Tony..... 

 "Olivia....so nice to have you eating with us."said Yvette, hugging her best friend..

"Heyyy Vettie..We just won our case this morning...I need to rest...This is the most comfortable place to be."said a smiling Olivia.

"Heyyy guys...Nice to see you." said Keith Jones.

''Although I miss the warmth and hominess of Sam Mother's Diner... I love the togetherness we have here."said Bee Bee.

"And the peace of mind!" said Sofia.

"You said it.."said Kahlil..

"Hi guys.."said Jade.

"Hi Liv, Bev, Donnie Ray, Josie, Nelson, Bree.." said Virginia.

 ''Hey Guys.""said Jetty,

"Hi Bev." said Jazzy....
 

"Heyyy Bev." said her husband, Dabnis.

"Cousin..." said Kayla..

"Hey Guys..."said Beverly, hugging Jazzy and her cousin, Kayla.

"Another Bennett Woman!" said Ray....

Jessica cracked up laughing... "You love those Bennett Women don't you?" she said to Ray.

Her husband Chip smiled.

"Hey Olivia..."said Karen

"Nice to see you guys.."said Natalie.

"My Girls and Guys.," said her husband, David..

"OLIVIA!!" said Brooke, smiling.

"Heyyyyyyyyy!" said her husband, Sean...

"Howdy folks." said Zoey...

"Hey There."said her husband Lem...

Renee smiled seeing us...She had so much respect and so much love for us...

"Hi Liv, Bev, Donnie Ray, Nelson,Josie, Bree." said Tyrell..

Jarad was enjoying his food... He looked at Olivia as he talked and he finally spoke..

''When you saw me a few weeks ago, I was an overworked Public Defender...I am no longer with the Public Defender's Office... I am now with Cochran and Grace...When  Renee and Tyrell Jones got married and subsequently left the firm...It created an opening which I took... I'm working on a particular case and I would certainly like your help....I essentially wish to hire you and your team as consultants on this case... I know you guys just finished a big case... So rest a few days and think about it and get back to me...I really could use your help.." he said.

"Alright... I plan to give my staff a few days off, but tell me about this case you want us to work.." said Olivia.

"I don't know if you heard but last week...Hedge Fund Manager, Robert Venison was murdered up in Chestnut Hill...." said Justin..

"I believe I heard about that on the news..." said Olivia..

"I heard about it too!" said Beverly...

"Yes it was a tragic thing... He was shot right in the foyer..

He was shot and killed right in the foyer.....His poor wife discovered the body..

Within 48 hours, Lt. Tragg arrested his wife, Roma Venison,charging her with first degree murder....

She claims she and her daughter were in town having dinner at the time of the murder."I'll need to have their alibi checked out. This is a big case...not like the cases I've had as a Public Defender...I'd really like to win this case and I could really use your help." said Justin Brown..

''Where is she now? Valhalla?" asked Nelson.

"No....she's actually in a hotel...not far from this building....

Lt. Tragg had her in that smelly Interrogation Room questioning her for close to eight hours...

She was smart enough not to say anything to him..

I believe the smell was getting to him....

I appeared and told her to sit tight... I'd have her out..... I borrowed from your playbook Mrs. Alexander.. I took her to Night Court.. It was a Thursday Night...She had just been arrested earlier in the day...She hadn't attracted media attention as of yet...

NIGHT COURT- Just a few hours later.

In Philadelphia, Night Court only operates two nights a week....Tuesday and Thursday, Tonight was Thursday...and fortunately...We got an arraignment date of 8:00 pm. 

The Judge in this case would not be the Judge in the actual case....

Lt. Tragg was not there... Night court was too low profile for him...No witnesses...No media..and a bunch of  Judges  and ADA's who were mostly older Judges and ADA's about to retire...It was lightweight. It was in session from 7:00 pm- 10:00 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays...I was quite fortunate to get a date.

The ADA that did show up was not going to be the ADA that tried the case...He had only the basic out line of the case at hand... He basically wanted to go home...So he didn't really put up much of a fight.

I presented 10 charactor witnesses , all from the society world that Roma and her husband traveled in...

Roma Venison, Having no priors and she being a well known society person   helped her immensely...She was released on her own recognizance..without bail..and surprisingly without having to wear an ankle monitor.. Once she was released I had her check into a hotel room , a few blocks from here , using her real name and parking her car in an indoor garage." said Justin.

''Well Young man, you did just fine...You sure you need our help?  You did everything we would have done." said Olivia.

"I want to make sure I win this..I'm not sure who the D.A. would put up against me, but this is a big time case..I'd feel so much better with your help.. I need an investigator, which you have and the help of your stellar staff of attorneys." said Justin Brown.

 

"Wow , he really knows how to butter  us up." I said, Smiling.

"Doesn't he now?" laughed Beverly.

"The Sign of a good lawyer."laughed Nelson.

"Lt. Tragg doesn't know we are involved...Wait until he finds out...His head is going to explode." laughed Josie.

"Oh My God!  It will...He thinks he has a novice lawyer than can easily be bested..No Offense pal...I'm in law school myself..Won't he be surprised.."laughed Paris.

"You're in law school? Where are you studying?" asked Jason.

"Middleton Law School in Bayside." said Paris.

"I graduated from Middleton Law School myself."said Justin Brown.

"So did I." said Bresha..

"Me too!" said  her husband Tony....

"It's a small world..."laughed Justin...

Olivia passed him a card....This is where we live.. Stop by this afternoon, have dinner with us...We have room for one more.. and if you like...Pack an overnite bag...We have an extra room in our sub-basement that's really nice... You can stay with us while we work this thing out."said Olivia.

"You all are too kind.."said a smiling...Justin Brown.

III-

''Dig in...There are no strangers here...We are all family...Especially if you've gotten this far." said Alfreda.

"For the second time today...I'm Impressed....Nice place you got here." said Justin as he fixed a plate of food for himself.. 

"Thank you...We call it home." said  Olivia.

 

"It's comfortable here..as you'll see tomorrow." I said.

"So Beverly,  you and your husband live downstairs and everybody else here pretty much lives on this street." said Justin...

"And everybody else you saw us eating with in the Bridge Building lives around here too!" said Beverly...

"Oh Yeah?  Small world huh?" said Justin.

"It wasn't planned...it just worked out like that...And since we all knew each other and had worked with each other before.. It all just just came together.."said Nelson....

Josie was talking to her husband...

"It's okay...it's just a C.   You'll be writing other papers bae." she said.

"This guy just has it in for me... I've written three very good papers and he's given them all a C...I've got an A average in all of my classes except his..." said Paris.

"When I was in Law School, I had a proffessor like that...Just rode my ass all the time and wouldn't give me anything higher than a C...Oh he did give me a B. once." said Jarad..

''What did you do?" asked Paris.

"Nothin....He's Dead and I'm here!" said Justin..

Bresha and Tony cracked up laughing....

"I like his philosophy on life."laughed Alfreda..

"Yeah, I do too!" said Rockland..

"The apartment is in the sub-basement... There is a Television screen there with Cable and Streaming...There is a shower and a restroom...A bed and a chest of drawers and closet for your things."said Olivia.

"Nelson and I will bring you clean pillow cases and sheets in a few." said Beverly..

"Yeah." said Nelson...

"As I said before...You guys are too kind.." said Justin.

IV-

NIGHTFALL CAME

Everyone had finished eating and had gone home... 

Olivia and I settled into our bedroom...

''Wow...we finish one trial today and we are drawn into another one...You're almost as busy as you were when you were Public Defenders eh?" I said to Olivia.

"Not as Busy...As my niece said..We had ten cases running at one time...as Public Defenders....Jazzy, Nelson, Beverly and I would split them up in order to give proper attention to them... We made a lot less money, I'll tell you that much...And this case is a chance for a big payday....before we all go to New Orleans for the Holiday..." said Olivia...

"Hey, it's what keeps the lights on and the water running." I said and laughed..

"Beverly and Nelson got Justin all settled in downstairs...Tomorrow after Breakfast...I want to meet with our client.. We'll go over to the Hotel...get her set up and then come back here and start working on the case.." said Olivia softly..

"I'll check out her alibi.....and now with all of that out of the way...Let me get on YOUR CASE!" I said,laughing raffishly...

"But of course.." said Olivia..

It always began with her butter soft kisses....

Which got hotter and steamier...

which led to me sliding her panties off..

and me lifting her petite body up and entering her slowly, gently..

"OHHHHHHHHHHH...OUUUUUUUUUU...OH MY GOD!!! DONNIE RAY...UMMMMMMMM!" she moaned.. OHHHH MY GOD IT'S SO DAMN BIGGGGGGGG OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" she screamed out

"AWWWWWWWWWWWWW LAWWWWWD GIRRRRRRL!" I moaned...

"OUUUUUUUUUUUU!" she cooed softly.... Her body starting to tremble, her head moving from side to side and her hands beating my back... She was having an intense orgasm....

I bent her over the bed and entered her doggie style.. 

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU YOU ARE SOOO NASTY!!! YOU JUST DO ME ANY WAY YOU WANNA....OUUUUUUUUUU!" she screamed out...

"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH UMMMMMMMMMMM!" I moaned...

"I'm gonna ride you all night long.." she bragged...as she rode me on the side of the bed...

Her body trembling something fierce...her head turning from side to side and tears just flowing down the side of her face....

"OH how lucky am I , to cum so much in one night " she said...

as she straddled me and rode me like a surfer rides the waves....I was delerious...I didn't know if I was coming or going..

I turned her over and entered her again....

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU DONNIE RAY LOOK AT YOUUUUU, WOUUUUUUUU!" she moaned..

"OUUU YOU ARE SO NASTY...OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" she cried out... "I NEVER GET TIRED OF THIS!" she said.. and smiled.

"And I never get tired  of you.." I said softly...

Olivia and I made sweet sweet love for the next EIGHT TO NINE HOURS.....both of us climaxing...

"Show off!" said Olivia...."You show off soooo much, and I love it and you." she said..

She leaned over and kissed me slowly and softly.... "I'll give you some more tomorrow!" she said softly...

We both were very tired..We drifted off to sleep..

While miles away at the Holiday Inn..

Our future client, Roma Venison sat in her hotel room, staring out at the empty streets.

(TO BE CONTINUED)