Special Attention

We met in our conference room the next day...We still weren't aware of the murder of Erica's main investor...
 

We were listening to Wendell Lewis, our scientific expert..

"The internet is a weird place, and if you happened to glance at social media at any time since 2017, you might have seen a meme going around about tilapia. It claimed that tilapia is a "mutant," that putting it on your plate is worse than eating a hamburger, that it's full of cancer-causing toxins, and that it can't be overcooked, has no skin, and no bones. And that's super weird, because the same meme has a picture of a tilapia, and clearly, it has skin. So that's one debunked right there. (And yes, it also has bones.) There is some truth to the meme, but it's not what you might think. Claims that most tilapia come from farms and are raised on GMO foods (like corn and soybeans) is true or likely to be true, depending on where you're sourcing your fish from. But the whole idea that's dangerous is completely bogus. And the hamburger thing? That actually comes from a misreading of a 2008 study that found tilapia is lower in omega-3 fatty acids than other fish, which, well, that doesn't exactly make it worse than a burger, does it? Finally, those toxins. There's the potential for dangerous compounds to show up in any kind of fish — it all depends on where it's harvested — so that's another bit of scare-mongering, too." he said. 

 "Ummmph, that makes me not want to eat Talapia."laughed Ms. Yvette.

"I knew that Talapia and Swai was breeded by Humans and not found in the actual ocean." I said.

"It sounds Science Fictiony.." said Bee Bee.

"It does and I'm with Ms. Yvette...I don't think I'll eat Talapia for awhile."said Sofia.

"I'll eat it...but I'll be thinking about this."laughed Kahlil..

"Same here." said Jade.

Virginia laughed.  "I'm gonna have some fried fish at lunch."she said.  We all laughed.

"So tell me Wendell what is the difference between Swai and Talapia since both are breeded by humans and neither can be found in the ocean.?" asked Sofia.

"Swai and Tilapia are two fish species that have gained popularity in recent years due to their affordability, mild taste, and versatility in various dishes. While both fish may appear similar, they have distinct differences in their origins, nutritional content, and farming practices that may impact consumers’ choices. explained Wendell....he went on to further say.."Swai, also known as Pangasius or basa, is native to Southeast Asia and primarily found in the waters of Vietnam, Cambodia, and other neighboring countries. On the other hand, Tilapia originates from Africa and the Middle East but has been widely introduced elsewhere in freshwater habitats around the world like your client, Erica. As consumers become more aware of the health implications and environmental impacts of the food they eat, it is essential to understand the basic differences between Swai and Tilapia and their roles in our global food system." he explained.

When comparing Swai and Tilapia, it’s essential to understand the fundamentals of each fish. Both species belong to different families and origins but share certain similarities. Swai, also known as Pangasius or Vietnamese catfish, comes from Southeast Asia, mainly the Mekong River region. Swai belongs to the catfish family, characterized by their whisker-like barbels and lack of scales. Swai has a subtle, slightly sweet flavor and a flaky texture. Some common ways to prepare Swai include baking, frying, or steaming.Tilapia, on the other hand, is a species of cichlid fish native to Africa but has become increasingly popular in North America due to its adaptability and mild taste. Tilapia has a slightly firmer texture compared to Swai and is often prepared using methods like pan-frying, grilling, or baking. In terms of nutritional content, both Swai and Tilapia provide a similar amount of protein, but they differ in other aspects:While both fish are low in fat and calories, Tilapia does contain higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health. When selecting your fish, it’s crucial to consider the sourcing and farming practices. Due to their origins, Swai is primarily imported from Asia, whereas Tilapia is more accessible as it’s now commonly farmed in North America. Some concerns have been raised about the sustainability and farming conditions for both species, so it’s recommended to choose responsibly sourced and eco-certified products when possible. Now that you have a better understanding of the fundamentals of Swai and Tilapia, you can make more informed decisions about which fish to include in your meals based on your taste preferences and nutritional needs." he said.

"Well Wendell, you have certainly given us an education in fish today...You really know your stuff." said Ms. Yvette.

"You're welcome...If you need me...You know my number..." he said as he walked toward the door..He turned toward me and Kahlil..

"Hey Fellas.Uh what do you know about Erica? , your uh client...She's hella hot...Is she seeing anyone?" he asked.

Kahlil smiled, he almost laughed...This stuffy guy was human after all..

"We don't know her that well, but uh we'll definitely put a word in for you bruh." I laughed.

"Thanks guys...see ya!" said Wendell.

 

 Ms. Yvette laughed loudly and hardy!  " He actually asked about Erica ..He's human after all." she said.

"He's smart , but he's still a man." I said.

"Yes, obviously."laughed Bee Bee.

"Erica wouldn't go out with him...Would she?" asked Sofia.

"Who knows? Stranger things have happened." said Kahlil.

"To each his own said the woman to her cow." said Jade.

Virginia laughed. "He is a man after all." she said.

Erica was being arrested at this very moment..

Detective Sgt. Brice...

and a tactical squad raided her loft and placed her under arrest for the murder of her number one investor, Monty Weisman...just as Wendell was getting there.

He followed her to Central Booking.

II-

THE "FISHBOWL" , the nickname the detectives gave to their interrogation room....

Erica sat in the interrogation room and cried...She couldn't believe how bad her luck had gotten and so fast....She didn't know who killed Monty, but with him dead, her other investors would surely bail out , leaving her bankrupt and out of  business.

"Hello Ms. Erica...Can I, Can I get you something? A Glass of water maybe.?" said Wendell.

"Excuse me..Do I know you?" asked Erica..

"I'm Dr. Wendell Lewis, like you I am a Marine Biologist...I was at your fresh water facility yesterday with Ms. Yvette and them." he said.

"Oh I remember you now....Well what you could do is call Yvette, tell her I need her help."said Erica.

"Will Do. I brought you a bottle of water." said Wendell..passing her a bottle.

"Thank you!  You're very kind." said Erica Taylor, smiling at him sweetly..

They talked quietly for a HALF HOUR, with Wendell, wiping her tears with a hankercheif and the two exchanging numbers....

"Who are you?  What are you doing in here?" asked Detective Sgt. Brice, finally arriving.

"I'm Dr. Wendell Lewis sir." said Wendell.

"You aint a lawyer are you?" asked ADA Giorgio...

"No sir..I am  not!" said Wendell...

"THEN BEAT IT!" said ADA Giorgio...

Detective Sgt. Brice wondered why he was in the interrogation room...Most ADA's didn't come down here....

Erica put her head down on the table and just wept...

TWO HOURS LATER-

"Crying is not going to help you Missy...We got you cold...You were seen leaving his condo right around the time of death...Now tell us what happened and why did it." said ADA Giorgio..

 

 "Don't say another word Erica, we are here." said Yvette.

"I thought this was Sgt. Brice's interrogation." I asked.. I knew that got under ADA Giorgio's skin.

"Doesn't matter,.,We are her attorney's of record...Can we have the room?" asked Bee. Bee.

"Well?" asked Sofia.

Kahlil didn't say anything.

Neither did Jade.

"Alright guys, come on..let's get out of here." sighed ADA Don Giorgio...

Wendell stared at us from the other side of the window.

 

 ''Stop crying...Stop crying now...It's going to be alright...Write down the names of people who can vouch for your charactor...your good charactor...I need names, addresses and phone numbers...email addresses if possible." said Yvette who passed her a pen and a notebook.

"Thank you...Thank you very much." said Erica..

"Wendell called us immediately after you got arrested." I said.

"Wendell? Oh Wendell?   Yes..he was here..He's very sweet...Remind me to thank him when I see him again." said Erica.

"I think he has a crush on you." said Bee Bee,laughing...

"Anyway....you just chill...Don't talk to anybody about your case...Not Anybody..."whispered Sofia.

"No cops, No ADA's...No inmates you're going to be locked up with... You only talk to us...You hear?" said Kahlil.

Jade softly rubbed her back...

"You'll hear from us in a few...Let's get out of here." she said.

"Yes, this place stinks...Peeeeeee YOUUUUUUU!" said Yvette as we left.

Erica gazed at Wendell ,peering through the window at her and smiled sweetly...

Wendell smiled...He nearly fainted.

III-

COURTROOM C- The very next night  -NIGHT COURT

Night Court- Lt. Tragg was not here tonight , he was on the Marine Boat.....Neither was Sgt. Brice and especially not ADA Don Giorgio.  Night court was too low profile for any of them....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...We were quite fortunate to get a date.

Don Giorgio didn't even know we had a night court.

He had no idea Erica was being arraigned tonight...He expected her to be arraigned tomorrow or the day after in open court.

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.

Well not much! 

We appeared with our client who was surprised herself at being arraigned just one day after her arrest...

 Ms. Yvette argued that our client was a respected Marine Biologist and Business woman who had no prior criminal convictions and was nor a flight risk.

The five of us presented twenty charactor witnesses.....

All rounded up by Ms. Jade.

The Judge released her on her own recognizance just as we expected....

We took her to Sam Mother's Diner for a late night dinner...

and then to our good friend Olivia and Beverly's Office/Duplex.. Everyone was just leaving as we arrived. 

"Sure Vettie...She can stay here for the duration of the trial...We have a nice sub-basement apartment with a bathroom and shower, a nice comfortable bed..a closet and chest of drawers and a 50 inch television monitor with cable and streaming and surround sound." said Olivia.

"Thank you girll...Olivia was my room-mate in law school and my best friend for life."explained Yvette.

"Nice place you guys have here...Your practice is here, you and your husband live here and your niece and her husband live here too...wow!"said Erica.

 

"It's comfortable, and we call it home."said Donnie Ray..

"My husband and I will bring you clean sheets and pillow cases."said Beverly.

"We need to drive you to your place so you can pack an overnite bag and some of your things, A change of clothes and what not." said Nelson.

"Paris and I can do that...We'll bring you back."said Josie..

"Yeah ,let me get my car." said Paris.

"Well, you got everything in order here."said Bresha.,

"Yeah looks like it."said Tony..

"Night Court does it again."said Alfreda.

"Yeah,looks like it did."laughed her husband, Rockland.

 

"You guys live across the street?" said Erica.

looking at her homes. 

 "Yes, we all do..we are a very close knit little community." said Yvette.

Her husband Gary had arrived by then...

"You'll be coming with us tomorrow morning on the train, and you'll meet the rest of our neighbors and co-workers." I said.

"At any rate...you get a good nights sleep and a shower...You'll be fine."said Bee Bee.

"Don't worry...you're free on bail and you're safe from any harrassment, any undo harrassment."said Sofia.

Kahlil smiled..He remembered how close these two groups were especially.

Jade and Danny stood with her and smiled.

"Well let's turn in."said Virginia.

"Yeah." said her husband Jetty.

Wendell had followed us back to Olivia's house..

"Oh Wendell, thank you for comforting me yesterday and getting in contact with my lawyers." said Erica.

"You're quite welcome.." he said.

She gave him a soft ,slow kiss....

"I didn't give you a proper thank you....Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm" she moaned..

"OH MY GOD!" he moaned....He couldn't believe how soft her lips were...

 She slowly and descretely ran her hands down his trouser leg, felt his huge erection and squeezed it a little bit....Her eyes grew wide and she looked at him...

"Oh MYYYYYYYYY!" she whispered and smiled.

that turned into a surprisingly smouldering and passionate kiss...

"I'll be back in about two hours....ring the door bell on the side..I'll let you in..." she whispered..

"Seriously?" he said.

"Yes." she said, smiling...

"OH MY GOD!"he said..

"Wou Wooooo...Ole boy is gonna remember that kiss for a long time.."laughed Kahlil.

"Oh you know it!" I said.

"He's going to come in his trousers.."laughed Bee Bee.

"I know.They were whispering something....I wouldn't be surprised if he comes back and they spend the night "laughed Sofia.

She had no idea how right she was.

IV-

Midnight!

Lt. Tragg was leaving the Marine Boat....He was surprised to see who was waiting for him..

It was Judge Kelly Ann..

"Hi Arthur.."she said.

"Kelly Ann." he said.

"I brought you some coffee." she said.

"Thanks...I could use it... I'm gonna drive home and get in the shower..." he said.

"You can shower at my place... I'll put your clothes in the washing machine in my loft's basement and dryer.." said Kelly Ann.

"Yeah? "he said, surprised.

"Yeah....you're my boyfriend.. I'm supposed to take care of you...and you're supposed to take care of me.. I'm lonely and horny." she said and winked.

And within the next hour....After a hot shower...

Lt. Tragg and Kelly Ann were in her bed making sweet love..

"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH ARTHUR!"she cooed

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM KELLY ANN."he moaned loudly

Once again the neighbors lights were flickering on and off and the sounds of the bed squeaking and the headboard slamming softly against the wall could be heard...

"I LOVE YOU ARTHUR!"whispered Kelly Ann

"I LOVE YOU TOO KELLY ANN!" he whispered back..

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU ARTHUR!" she cooed.

"AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!! OHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! AWWWWWW LAWWWD!" he moaned.

For the next EIGHT TO NINE HOURS they made sweet sweet love.

And At Olivia and Beverly's sub-basement...

The Most Unlikely couple of the year... Erica and Wendell had hooked up... Erica told Wendell to come back in two hours after she returned with her things.. He did..and the two decided to spend the night.

"I'm glad you came back." she whispered...

."AWWWWWWWWWWWW LAWWWWD!" was all Wendell could say...

"OH MY GOD!! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!" said Wendell..kissing her in the middle of the floor.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'VE GOT THIS MUCH IN YOUR TROUSERS.....OH MY GOODNESS!"

"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH AWWWWWWWWWWW LAWWWWWD!" moaned Wendell.

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUU YOU ARE A STALLION!  OH MY GODDD!" she exclaimed...

"OH MY GOD!!!   ERICA!" he exclaimed while removing her bra and panties.

Wendell and Erica were in her bed making sweet love..

"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH  MY GOD WENDELL!"she cooed

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM ERICA!."he moaned loudly

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU WENDELL !" she cooed.

"AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!! OHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! AWWWWWW LAWWWD!" he moaned.

They made love for the next NINE TO TEN HOURS! 

He couldn't stop....She couldn't believe his stamina... It was as if he didn't want to getup off of her..

"Wendell, that was awesome...WOWWWWWWWW!" she said.

Erica finished the night lying across Wendell's chest,totally and surprisingly satisfied.... He looked different without his glasses on...He had a big wide grin from ear to ear on his face.. She thought he looked cute.

It was a magical night.

(TO BE CONTINUED)