by Sims, R.
In one swift motion, Eric drew his right leg back and stomped the thick window as hard as he could, causing absolutely no damage to the fiberglass partition. He did it again with those cheap blue skippy slippers that everyone wore in the jail.
Two guards snatched Eric down from the stool and began beating him.
Stephanie and Aaron scrambled for the door while other visitors craned for a view of the action.
CHAPTER 94
Dexter had not been seen or heard from by many over the past month now. He had quietly turned thirty-six and had only made one more court appearance, waiving two others in which Dana had appeared on his behalf. Janet, however, had now entered the record as lead counsel earlier in the week. That hearing had required Dexter’s presence.
Dexter was alone at his home in Palmdale, lying across his bed, studying one of fifty-three documents that were spread all over the floor. It was about ten percent of the case files that had been delivered to his lawyer by the prosecutor. The rest was stacked on top of his dresser.
Jury selection was scheduled to begin in seventeen days; the trial would start a week after that. The Government had promised it would produce 1,500 more pages of discovery material by today. Dexter thought about that. More than 2,000 pages. Bullshit. Most of it provided only for confusion. The defense would not be arguing immaterial inconsistencies and irrelevancies.
He was about to read the 6-page statement his own brother had made against him when his phone rang. The display told him it was Dana. He answered it, something he hadn’t done in weeks.
Dana said, “How are you doing?”
“Good. What’s up?”
“I’m in a little bit of trouble,” and her voice revealed that fact.
Dexter rose from his lying position and sat on the side of his bed. “I hope this has nothing to do with more money?”
She exhaled then said, “I was forced to call you.”
Dexter thought about that. “By whom?”
“I don’t know. Three men came to my house and made me get inside a van. I don’t know where I am, but there’s only one man here now, a different man.”
“Well, you’re not whispering, and you apparently have your phone, so I suppose it was his idea that you call me. Have you been hurt?”
“No, but…”
“What is it? Tell me,” Dexter said.
“I’m pregnant.”
Dexter stood now and rubbed the top of his head with his free hand. His heart was beating faster. “Does the man want to talk to me?”
“Yes, but he wanted me to call so you would know that I haven’t been harmed.”
Dexter said, “Put him on the phone.”
A moment later, Peter Boone accepted Dana’s smartphone and said, “Mr. Parker, how can I help you?”
“By getting right to the fucking point. What do I do to get you to release my lawyer unharmed?”
“You mean your woman, don’t you? Dana has told me quite a bit about your…client-attorney relationship. You remember a woman by the name of Celisa Richardson?”
Dexter did not answer.
“Dana’s been much more cooperative,” Peter said.
“I’m glad to hear that. Do you have a demand?”
“Yes, and it’s a reasonable one. I will assume that you’ve already spent, what, about $75 million of the billions you took?”
“Close to 107,” Dexter said.
“According to my own investigation, Eric Adkins and your brother believe being a father is high on your list of priorities.”
CHAPTER 95
“Would Dana and your unborn be worth $3 billion?” Peter Boone said.
Dexter hesitated. Finally, he said, “I have a deal for you that you may find interesting.”
“Can’t wait to hear it.”
“I will presume that you’re Peter Boone and that all this is for Doug Ramsey’s loss.”
“What is your proposition?”
“Release my lawyer unharmed and donate $1.2 billion to Dr. Mackie’s foundation, the Frame of Mind Children’s Center. I will personally give you control over $3 billion worth of accounts.”
Peter laughed, and it sounded genuine. “Suppose I decline to make such a donation. Are you prepared to let Dana and your unborn die?”
“Mr. Boone, right? I don’t want anything to happen to Dana or her baby, but I’m willing to sacrifice her and the unborn for the Frame of Mind Children’s Center. I feel strongly about helping children with autism, cerebral palsy…”
“Hey! I saw the interview. Spare me the sad story. I thought it was hogwash. You’re serious about this…center.”
“I am. And consider this: Your partner lost a billion dollars in the Herbyte scam. I’m the accused scammer. On SHN I asked for donations for the children’s foundation. Doug would be the most respected philanthropist in the country once the media learns that he’s contributed $1.2 billion to such a cause. Aside from that, it would be a tax-write off and he’d be gaining $800 million tax-free once gets the $3 billion.”
Peter was contemplating.
“If we have no deal then I’ll just say a prayer for Dana and my unborn. I’ll also put a murder bounty on your head and Doug’s for $150 million, publicized exclusively to thirty different gang leaders. Your security wouldn’t keep you alive for a week. You know how brazen and reckless gang members are. Anywhere. Anytime.”
“Your threat does not affect my decision. Your lawyer will be released,” Peter said, “but only after you’re in my custody. You’ll relinquish the accounts once she calls you from a public location.”
This time Dexter hesitated, but only for effect. “Good.”
Peter said, “Why didn’t you donate the money to the foundation yourself?”
“That type of money should come from a well-established source or entity.” Dexter sat on his bed again.
Peter said, “I can have everything set up within five hours. You’re in California, I assume.”
Dexter said, “No good. I was thinking more like five weeks from now.”
Peter laughed again, this one sounding not so genuine. “You’re a very funny guy.”
“I’m serious. I need to get this trial behind me.”
“Out of the question. You’ll definitely be found guilty, and the judge will revoke your bail.”
And now Dexter mustered a laugh. “Not guilty. However, I will arrange things so that Dr. Mackie stands in for me if I can’t make it. She’ll then have all of my information for the accounts. Keep Dana safe and make sure a doctor comes to check on her as needed.” He ended te call.
Peter said, “You’re fucking unbelievable,” even though Dexter was not on the phone.
CHAPTER 96
Having had her partials for three weeks now, Janet was beginning to regain her self-esteem and confidence. Her mouth felt fine and her new teeth were not outstanding next to her natural teeth. Still, though, she was not yet comfortable with her grin.
Dexter had insisted she visit her ex-boyfriend, Louis, who was still hospitalized and would be for at least three more months. For some reason, Dexter believed the visit would do wonders for her, would help her to feel beautiful again.
Janet stood at Louis’ room door and paused. She was wearing an Italian business suit and carrying a leather handbag. Her hairdo was new on her, sexy with a few curls hanging near her right eye. She tapped lightly on the door and entered slowly, knowing Louis was incapable of inviting her inside.
Louis was lying on his back watching television when he heard someone entering his room. He cut his eyes toward the door and saw Janet. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, trying to make her disappear. When he opened them again, Janet was standing at the foot of his bed.
Janet said, “Hello Louis.” She knew he could not speak or move, but saying hello to him still seemed like a good start. She felt his foot through the covers then squeezed a toe lightly. “I did not want this life for you. You deserve to be punished for what you did to me, but maybe not this muc
h punishment.”
Louis began looking at Sports Center again. He was forced to listen to this bitch. If she left now it would not be too soon.
“If you’ve been watching the news, you know that I’m lead counsel in Dexter’s case. He’s paying me well, as you might imagine, but I would give up the few million dollars if I could reverse time a few years back and never meet you at Ink Clone.”
He pictured the day he had met her at his place of business.
“I don’t know if you’d rather be dead, but I’m glad you aren’t.” She walked up to the nightstand, leaned over him, and kissed him on the lips. “Dexter was right. I’m starting to feel better about my mouth. Having my teeth knocked out isn’t so bad. You’re a reminder that it could have been worse.” She smiled at him, displaying her new teeth.
Louis was staring at her now.
“I didn’t want to pop up on you like this, so I first stopped by and got permission from your ex-wife.”
His eyes searched her face for the truth.
“She was nice about it, but she also wanted to know why the hell I would need her permission. I get the feeling she’s not going to hang in there with you for long. Oh! And she was surprised to learn from me that she has cancer.”
Louis’ eyes returned to the television.
“I have to get going. You’re probably expecting Karen or Sheila, assuming the cancer hasn’t spread to them.” Janet reached inside her handbag and pulled out a get-well card. She set it on the nightstand.
Louis couldn’t turn his head to see what she was doing. He just kept watching TV, halfway listening to something about Durant with the Warriors and some internal fighting.
“I found a nice gift for you. Read it when you get the time, but blame it on yourself if it doesn’t actually help you get well.” She began walking toward the door. “Or you could sue Hallmark.” She grabbed the doorknob and looked back at him one last time. “Whatever you do, Louis, try not to blame me.”
CHAPTER 97
Agent Laura Frey entered the office of U.S. Attorney Wesley Henderson. They were in a Los Angeles office, a high rise with an excellent view of the city.
Wesley stopped typing on his keyboard and said, “You have important information concerning Dexter Parker?” He pushed away from his desk and leaned back in his leather chair.
“Yes.” Laura glanced at the 53-year-old black man.
“Have a seat.”
She sat in a leather chair that was positioned directly across from his desk. “I’ll get right to the point.” She gripped the arms of the chair and said, “During the investigation, I had an affair with someone I interviewed.”
Wesley showed no expression but was all ears.
“Turns out, that person was being paid by Dexter to sabotage the investigation.”
Wesley said, “Who might that person be, and what is the extent of the affair?”
“Reginald Macon, the McDonald’s owner in Philadelphia. The affair…There is a video recording of me and Macon in a compromising…act.”
“A sex tape. Are you being blackmailed?”
“I’m not sure I would call it that. Dexter offered me $500,000 to steer our investigation toward his leads. I can’t do it anymore. I know this will likely cost me my job, but I’m young enough to pursue another profession.”
“When did all of this begin?”
“About seven weeks ago. I have a written report of everything, which includes dates and details. I wanted to talk to you in person before turning in the report. I will resign from the FBI whenever you give the word.”
Wesley said, “I’d like to have your report today, but for now I want to know how you steered the investigation for Parker.”
Over the next thirty-five minutes. she told Wesley about Orin Baker, Delores Smith, Terry Adams, and Mike Brewer. Laura said, “It might not be a good idea to use any of them as witnesses, or any evidence or leads that they’ve given.”
“And you have absolutely no proof that Parker has ever contacted you? No evidence of his obstruction of justice?”
“No, sir. I’ve explained the precautions he took before communicating with me. I’ll put it all in my report as well.”
Wesley rested his arms on his desk. “Why should I believe you now? I mean, the fact that you’re here and telling me this...well, this could be Parker’s doing, right?”
“Yes. No. No, it isn’t. He doesn’t know I’m doing this. That’s the truth.”
He didn’t know what to believe now. “How much does Phillip know?”
“Nothing,” she said. “He doesn’t know about the affair or any of its consequences.”
Wesley smiled, but it was equal to pity and shame for her. “A half million dollars. How much of that did you receive so far?”
“Not one dime, sir.”
“Not half up front and the other half after services rendered?” he asked.
“No money at all,” Laura said.
Wesley stared her down for a full six seconds. When she did not look away, he said, “You’re looking at obstruction of justice yourself. I can think of at least three more violations, criminal and unethical. That’s just off the top of my head; there could be more.”
“I’m aware of that. I came forward because I don’t want to see Dexter get away with what he’s done. A lot of people lost their hard-earned money, thanks to him.”
“That sounds about right,” Wesley said. “However, I have to be honest with you, Agent Frey. You’ve effectively made yourself wholly unreliable. You’ve lived a lie for, as you say, the past seven weeks, and now you’re asking me to trust what you say today.” He shook his head, disappointed. “I have no doubt that Dexter will be convicted and sent to prison, but I’m almost certain you won’t be far behind him.”
CHAPTER 98
Danielle had not heard from her mother in twenty-four days. Dexter had been honest when explaining the situation to her, but she still expected her mother to at least call any day.
Danielle was at her mother’s house watching coverage of the courthouse. She even recognized many of her friends outside with support signs for Dexter. It was a group of seventeen, but she knew it would grow daily; for $1.000 per day, friends would tell more friends and it would surely get out of hand.
Some of the signs supported the Frame of Mind Foundation; some promoted the idea of helping birth defective children. Of course, some signs got more attention than others.
Dexter Parker is Guilty…Of Helping Children!
Danielle was not in the mood to rally on behalf of Dexter. She missed her mother.
***
Janet stood in the middle of the packed courtroom. She glanced at the four Blacks, eight Whites, and one Hispanic in the jury box. An elderly white man was an alternate among the thirteen members.
Janet smiled then turned toward the witness stand. “So, it’s your testimony that you tried to warn your boyfriend Kevin about Eric?”
Sherri Peters said, “I tried to warn him about dealing with a convicted criminal. At the time I had never met Eric.”
“And even after you’d met Eric, you continued to warn Kevin, isn’t that true?”
“Yes, but Kevin would just get testy and I would drop it.”
“Who invented the Herbyte computer, Kevin or Eric?” Janet walked to the defense’s table and looked down at a document. Dexter was at the table pretending to study a different document. 60/40 was on the other side of him. “Eric invented it.”
“And when did you first learn about the invention? Strike the question. At any time, did you ever believe the unit was a brainchild of Kevin’s?”
“No,” Sherri said then sipped at her water.
“You recall a presentation for the Herbyte this year, January 23rd, at the Bielle Hotel in Beverly Hills?”
“Yes.”
“You spoke at the presentation, correct?”
“I did.”
“And did you tell the investors there that Eric was the true inventor of the Herby
te computer?”
“I did not.”
“Of course not. You told them Kevin was the inventor of the unit, didn’t you?”
“Yes, but I…”
“And you never warned any of them that the unit had been invented by a convicted criminal?”
“No, because…”
Janet said, “Whose idea was it to…”
U.S. Attorney Wesley Henderson sprang up from his seat. “Objection, Your Honor. Counsel should allow the witness to complete her answers.”
Janet said, “Your Honor, the questions require no more than a yes or no response.”
District Judge Lloyd Garrison clasped his fingers and said, “Overruled.”
CHAPER 99
Janet said to Sherri, “Whose idea was it to keep this information from the investors?”
“What information?”
“Hey, let’s not tell the investors that convicted criminal Eric Adkins is the true inventor of the Herbyte computer.” Janet looked at the jurors now. “Who made that decision?”
Sherri sad, “I don’t know.”
“Well, you perpetuated the lie, didn’t you? Who told you to say the things you said at the January presentation?”
“Kevin wrote it for me.”
“Oh, a script?”
“I guess you could say that.”
“You’re the one testifying; what would you call it?”
“Okay, a script,” Sherri said.
“So, Kevin used you to lie to the investors?”
“Not…Well…At the time, we both thought the invention was legitimate.”
“I’ll rephrase the question. Did Kevin Orwells use you to lie to the investors at the presentation? Simply yes or no. You’re under oath so take your time.”
“Yes, he did.” Sherri sipped more water from a small paper cup. She wanted to keep the blame on Eric and Dexter, leaving her boyfriend Kevin out of it as much as possible, but Janet had made that very difficult.
“No further questions.” Janet headed for her seat at the table with Dexter and 60/40.