Brash Endeavor, page 26
"Can you really provide complete restitution?"
"I believe so, I can tell you definitely by the end of the day."
"Well, I'll make a deal with you. If you can deliver the money and get an affidavit from Tony that corroborates what you just told me, then I'll recommend dropping the charges."
"Good, I'll call you this afternoon," I said.
"Okay, good luck," Miss Sommers said skeptically.
An ill feeling suddenly overcame me as I mused over the task of getting Tony to sign an affidavit. Getting him to give up twenty grand was a coup in itself, but to ask him to help Gena get out of jail was pushing my luck. There had to be some angle I could use to get him to believe it was in his best interest to sign an affidavit exonerating Gena. Unfortunately, at that moment I couldn't think of what it might be.
At 1:30 I walked into the lobby of Republic National Bank. It was a huge lobby so I was at kind of a loss as to where to find Tony. I began to wander around searching for someone who looked like an Italian. Tony had said he was wearing blue jeans and a white shirt and he'd have Bridgett with him. Finally, I saw the likely couple in line at one of the teller's cages. I approached them and said, "Tony? . . . Bridgett?"
They looked over at me emotionless. "Mr. Turner?"
"Yes."
"We're getting the money right now," Tony said. Then he pointed over to a sofa and chair and said. "Just wait for us over there. We'll be right over."
I went and took a seat on the sofa and watched them make their way through the teller's line. After a minute they came over to me and handed me a cashier's check.
"I made it out to the United States District Court, like you said. I can't believe I'm doing this," Tony said.
"It's the right thing to do," I replied.
"Now what?" Tony said.
"Now I get the Bankruptcy Court to approve the restitution and then I'll deliver it to the DA so the victims can be reimbursed."
"What about this victim?" Tony said.
"Well, I am glad you mentioned that. You know there is a way you might be able to get what's coming to you," I said.
"How's that?"
"Well, If I could get the DA to drop these charges you could file a proof of claim in her Chapter 13 and eventually get paid the money that's owed to you."
"Really," Tony asked incredulously. "What if she doesn't make her payments?"
"Well, I can't guarantee that she'll make the payments but she says she's going to and she'll have a much better shot at doing it if she's back in her office where she can make some money rather than being in jail."
"So what do you have to do to get the DA drop the charges." Tony asked.
"Get you to sign an affidavit that you took the money owed to you from Gena's account without her knowledge or consent. You don't have to admit you did anything wrong and we'll waive any claims against you for taking the money."
Tony looked at me intently like he was actually considering signing the affidavit, then he shook his head and said, "There's no way in hell I am going to help that bitch."
I looked at Bridgett and immediately realized she was my key. I could see the pain in her eyes, perhaps from guilt, but more likely from a lingering friendship toward Gena. I decided to appeal to her for help. "Bridgett, I don't know you, but you were best friends with Gena and Gena has told me how close you two used to be. I know things between you two haven't been very good lately, but I can't believe you don't care about her. All I need is a simple affidavit to get Gena off the hook. I'm not asking you to lie, all I want is the simple truth."
Bridgett looked at Tony and then at me but said nothing. Finally, Tony said, "Come on Bridgett let's go."
As they walked off I searched for some final argument, a magical phrase or sarcastic comment that might move them . . . but nothing came to mind. I sat down, defeated. I started to rationalize, well at least I got the money back . . . now all I have to do is try the case and win. As I got up to leave the bank I noticed Tony and Bridgett walking toward me. When we met Tony sighed and said, "Give me the damn affidavit. Maybe that broad can finally get her act together."
I pulled the affidavit from my coat pocket and walked over to the customer service counter. I couldn't help but notice Bridgett was smiling. Tony signed the affidavit and then stomped off. Bridgett turned to me as they were leaving and waived.
I was thrilled with my victory, but unfortunately I didn't have anyone to share it with. There was no time to celebrate anyway right then. I had an important date with the DA. Getting her to drop the charges wasn’t a slam dunk. I’d still have to be very persuasive and she’d have to get her bosses to approve the deal. But I promised myself that Rebekah and I would crack a bottle of champagne that evening if everything worked out the way I hoped it would.
Miss Sommers was shocked when I appeared that afternoon with twenty thousand dollars and an affidavit from Tony. She kept her word, though, and recommended to the U.S. Attorney that all charges be dropped. After several hours of waiting, the deal was approved and I breathed a sigh of relief. When I got back to the office I informed Asshole of my success and advised him he was off the hook. He didn’t thank me or offer to split his fee with me. He just said, "Okay," and hung up. Then I called Gena's mother.
"Hello," Mrs. Lombardi said.
"Hi, this is Stan again."
"Oh yes, is something wrong?"
"No, I've got good news. The DA has dropped all charges against Gena."
"You're kidding! How did that happen?"
I told her about the deal with the DA.
"That is so wonderful. I just can't believe it. When Gena told me you were her guardian angel I just laughed, but now I know she was right."
"Well. I'm just glad I could help."
"Thank you so much Mr. Turner. I will always be in your debt."
"Your welcome, should you happen to see Gena sometime soon have her call me."
"I will. Bless you."
"Good bye."
"Good bye, thank you, so much Mr. Turner."
Elated by the events of the afternoon I went immediately home to take the family out to dinner and celebrate. The kids didn't understand why I was so happy but they didn't mind having a party. Rebekah was somewhat subdued. When I ordered a bottle of champagne Rebekah let me know what was bothering her.
"It's great you got Gena off the hook and got her mother a $100,000 but you haven't got a dime yourself, have you?"
"Well no, but they'll send me some money once the insurance check comes," I replied.
"Maybe, but what if they don't?"
"They will, you should have heard Mrs. Lombardi. She couldn't thank me enough. She said I was her daughter's guardian angel."
"What did Gena say?" Rebekah asked.
"Well, actually I don't know where Gena is," I replied.
"What? How can you settle her case without her?"
"I didn't settle it . . . I got the DA to drop it."
"And she has skipped town? Why in the hell did you even bother with her if she doesn't care enough to hang around for her trial . . . or at least let you know where she is?"
"I had to get her off. I didn't have any choice."
"Why. What do you mean?"
"I guaranteed her bond and when she disappeared I had to get her off or come up with twenty-five thousand dollars."
"Stan Turner! You are so stupid sometimes. Why in the hell did you guarantee her bond?"
"I just felt sorry for her."
"You haven't been screwing around with her have you?"
"No, . . . no way. . . .She's just someone who has had a tough life. Her father ran away when she was young and everyone treats her like shit. I just showed her a little respect."
"Yeah, and see where that got you. You're damn lucky you didn't lose twenty-five thousand dollars, which we don't even have I might add. How did you expect to pay the money back if she didn't show up for trial?"
"I took a lien on her Corvette."
"Oh really, well I'm glad you did something halfway intelligent."
"Come on, give me a break. I did a hell of a job on this case, I want to celebrate. So, if your through chewing me out let's party."
Rebekah shook her head in disgust then cracked a smile. "Stan Turner . . . how did I ever get hooked up with you?"
"Beats me. . . . You just got lucky, I guess."
29
THE BONUS
The following Monday when I got to the office there was a message from Ken Sherlock's office. I was fairly certain what the call was about. I had promised Ken that I would get him an assignment on Parker #3 over a week ago but obviously that wasn't going to happen. I did receive a final check for $2,200 from Inca Oil but when we got it we were so desperate for cash we had to use it to pay bills and just keep afloat. Unfortunately nothing had come in from Gena Lombardi and Kurt Harrison was still in Brazil. Consequently, I didn't know what I was going to tell Ken Sherlock when I called his office. While I was fretting over this predicament the phone rang. It was Jane Brown.
"I wondered if you might be free for lunch today?" she asked.
"Sure, that would be great," I replied.
"We'll pick you up at 12:30 then," Mrs. Brown said.
"Okay, fine. See you then."
The papers had been filled with the Taylor Brown and Robert Thorn stories over the past few weeks. With the help of an anonymous tip they’d found the body of the Brown chauffeur, Ronald Sage, in a dump a few miles from Brown's Johnson County ranch. While searching Sage's apartment authorities found evidence that Sage was trying to blackmail Brown and Robert Thorn over the murder of Melba Thorn. The authorities were not sure if Sage was a co-conspirator or just inadvertently found out about the plot to kill her.
It all seemed to make sense now, Robert and Taylor wanted control of Thorn Enterprises, Inc. so they plotted to have Melba conveniently die in an accident. It might have worked had I not received the telephone calls from Melba Thorn. But there were still three big, unanswered questions: who placed the calls, how did they find out about her murder, and why did they pick me to call for help?
At 12:30 Mrs. Brown's chauffeur, Ralph, walked in and told me Mrs. Brown was waiting. He was a very imposing figure, tall, muscular, with that black chauffeur's uniform and those big black boots he obviously wasn't someone you would want to tangle with. I guess that's the kind of person, however, you'd want to have around to deter any would-be assailants. I got up and followed Ralph out to the limousine. He opened the door and Mrs. Brown smiled and said, "Come on in." I climbed in, smiled and Ralph shut the door.
"Do you want to go to the Italian Alps again or would like some superb Mexican food today?" Jane asked.
"The Italian Alps was great, but I like Mexican food too."
"Ah . . . let's go to Juan Benito's. . . . I feel like Mexican today."
"Fine."
"Ralph, take us to Juan Benito's."
"Yes ma'am," Ralph said as he turned over the engine and eased out of the parking space.
"Well, did you hear the latest?" Jane said.
"No, what happened?" I said.
"Robert was indicted today."
"You're kidding?"
"No, apparently Ronnie was blackmailing both Robert and Taylor. The police found a letter of instructions to Robert telling him where to deliver money to him. Apparently he was killed before the instructions could be delivered," Jane said.
"I wonder how he found out about the plot to kill your mother?" I asked.
"He probably overheard them talking about it and decided he could use the information to enhance his income," Jane replied.
"So how do you feel about all of this? It must be tough to have your brother and husband arrested for killing your mother." "Yes, it is horrible. I can't believe Robert and Taylor would do such a thing, but it's sure looking more and more like they did. I just can't believe it."
"I'm really sorry. I guess whoever said money corrupts knew what they were talking about."
The limousine suddenly came to a halt and I looked out and saw an old sign that read, Juan Benito's Café & Cantina. We got out and went inside. After a few minutes we were seated and placed our orders.
"So who runs the company if Taylor and Robert are convicted," I asked.
"The Board of Directors placed me in charge this morning as soon as they got wind of Robert's indictment. I've got complete control now," Jane said. "And that reminds me of one of the reasons I wanted to have lunch with you today."
"What's that?"
"Thorn Enterprises is very appreciate of your investigation of mom's death. The Board of Directors feels you should be paid for the time and expenses you've incurred."
"Well, that would very much appreciated since I'm kind of in need of money right now."
"Good, do you have any idea what your time and expenses are to date?"
"Well I think I calculated about forty-five hours and eight hundred in expenses."
"How much does that all come to exactly," Jane asked.
"I think I figured about $7,500," I said.
"Good," Jane said as she pulled an envelope out of her purse. "Here, this check ought to cover it then."
I took the envelope and peaked inside. It was a check from Thorn Enterprises for $10,000. "Oh yes! This covers it nicely. Thank you."
"Listen, the Board wanted me to convey to you their deepest appreciation for what you have done and also to tell you that in the future they may want to retain you for other projects."
"Oh. Thank you. I'd like that. Let me know if anything comes up that I can help them with."
"I will, definitely."
After lunch I called Rebekah to tell her the good news.
"You're kidding?!"
"No. I've got a check in my hand."
"Oh, that is so wonderful, I can't believe it! When did this happen?"
"Ten minutes ago. Jane Brown called and wanted to have lunch. She shocked the hell out of me when she gave me the check. Now I can pay your lawyer."
There was a long silence."Do we have to give it all to him?"
"Well, I'm going to give him $6,500 and use $3,500 to pay bills."
"Good, at least we'll be able to survive another month."
"That's right. . . . Well, I've got to go, I just wanted to give you the good news."
"Yeah, I'm glad you called, I feel much better now."
After talking to Rebekah I returned the call to Ken Sherlock's office. Sure enough they were wondering about their assignment on Parker #3. I told them there had been a change of plans and instead of an assignment I could give them half the balance on the retainer immediately with the rest in a week or ten days. They were very pleased to get cash rather than the assignment.
Later that afternoon Tom Tower called to see if I had heard from Kurt. Since Kurt hadn't called me I phoned Gwen to see if she knew anything. No one answered at the Harrison mansion, so I called Cynthia.
"Stan, I'm so glad you called." Cynthia said. "The FBI agents were just here looking for Kurt again."
"What did you tell them?"
"I told them I didn't know where he was," Cynthia said.
"That's all you told them?" I asked.
"I told them he had been in Brazil but apparently he left there because I called for him there and they said he was gone."
"Was Heloisa with him?" I asked.
"No, she wasn't with him when he left."
"Do you have any idea where he might have gone?"
"He might have gone to California to see Dan Kelley. If he's trying to raise money for the Panhandle Building, Dan's the one who can help him."
"I hope that's what he's doing. Do you have Dan's phone number?"
"Sure, I can get it for you."
"I want to call him and see if Kurt is there or if he knows where he is."
"Okay, good luck. Let me know what you find out."
"I will, bye."
"Bye."
Anxious to talk to Kurt, I immediately called Dan Kelley's number. I knew if I didn't get this mess under control very soon it was going to be all over for Kurt, the investors and maybe even me. As the phone rang I held my breath.
"Stan, Kurt and I were just talking about you," Dan said.
