Operation Bayou Angel

by Margaret Kay

  “If we decline?” Spencer asked.

  “Then Bobby will plead not guilty and demand a jury trial. The pool of jurors from this Parish will have sympathy for a local over a corporation from up north that is new to the Parish. That I can guarantee you. Roots in the community are everything down here in the bayou. The Cajun and Creole cultures are strong, and in case you haven’t been out in the community to notice, they stick together. You won’t win a jury trial down here.”

  “Well, I appreciate you coming to tell me that,” Spencer said with an edge to his voice. “You plan to take your brother up north with you?”

  That was when both Cooper and Sherman knew for sure that the Sheriff had spoken with this man.

  “That’s correct. If the judge will allow me, I plan to bring Bobby to a highly rated drug treatment facility in my home area and keep him up there with me after he has completed the program. He’s done drug rehab down here and been released right back into the same environment with the same people and triggers to use. I believe a change of scenery is needed to finally get him off the shit.”

  Spencer nodded. “The damage to the fence is in the amount of eight-hundred-fifty dollars.”

  Sherman knew that was inflated, but he wouldn’t argue. “I’ll cover that if you agree to drop all charges.”

  “BioDynamix will agree to that provided you remove your brother from this area.”

  Sherman and Cooper both found that an odd statement. Certainly, this man knew that the Sheriff suspected Brielle of the break-in. Brielle was the one who had written several inflammatory articles. She was the one poking around and asking questions.

  “Agreed,” Sherman said.

  Spencer thrust his hand towards Sherman.

  Sherman shook it, a gentlemen’s agreement. Interesting. “Thank you. I’ll see you later then, at court.”

  Spencer nodded. He shook Cooper’s hand next. “Agent Cooper,” he acknowledged.

  “I don’t suppose you’d want to give us a tour of your facility? I’m just fascinated with the important work you are doing here,” Cooper said. “My parent’s both died from cancer. I am in awe of all the new treatments available.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss, Agent Cooper,” Spencer said. “But I’m sure you understand, we don’t give tours. Our work is closely guarded.”

  “Of course,” Cooper said.

  The two men left. They remained silent until they had driven off the grounds.

  “Cancer, huh?” Sherman said with a smile. “Was that the Mack or Peterbuilt type of cancer that killed your parents?”

  Cooper laughed. “It was indeed a Peterbuilt, model three-seventy-nine.”

  “Well, my mom did die of cancer, so if they are not doing research and using that as a cover for something illegal that is going to really piss me off.”

  Sherman and Cooper parked in the marina parking lot and made their way down the dock and back to the boat. Both men kept a sharp eye out. They didn’t see any deputies, but they didn’t think the Sheriff had pulled his surveillance of them. Madison sat on the lounge chair on the flybridge of the boat in the sun. She had on a tank top, and a pair of jean shorts.

  She stood and made her way down the ladder when they boarded. She came up to Sherman and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I’m glad you’re back, baby. And I hope you had luck.”

  Cooper and Sherman exchanged glances. So, the recon on them remained. They wondered where he was at.

  “Let’s go below,” Cooper said.

  They entered to find Brielle lying on her stomach facing the open door within the open master cabin.

  “She’s doing research on the protest she’s supposedly at so she can make a blog post,” Madison said. Brielle had Madison’s computer tablet in front of her.

  “Where was Barney? We didn’t see him,” Cooper asked.

  “Inside the cabin of the boat two over, towards the parking lot. The dumb-shit took his uniform shirt off, but who wears a plain white t-shirt and black work pants on a boat?” Madison said.

  “But it was all quiet? He didn’t approach?”

  “No, he’s just been watching me.”

  Cooper’s lips tipped up. Of course, the deputy was. His wife was hot. Any man would watch her if given the opportunity. “I’m sure you gave him a nice show too.”

  Madison smiled and nodded her head.

  “So, what happened at the BioDynamix facility?” Brielle asked, pulling herself up from the mattress.

  “In exchange for eight-hundred-fifty dollars to repair their fence, highway robbery, and me taking Bobby up north, they will drop all charges against Bobby.”

  “So, the Sheriff had talked to them?” Brielle asked.

  “Yep, sure did. But more importantly, the Chief of Security was very specific that I get Bobby out of the area. That’s significant and shows they believe he was in on it. Given your different sizes, there is no way they believe it was Bobby who entered their grounds or their warehouse that they saw on their surveillance footage, but they still want him gone.”

  Brielle wasn’t sure why that was significant to Brian. “Did you get a look around at what they do there?”

  “No, we were not invited past the lobby, which was pretty nondescript, no indication of what they do there based on the lobby. No signage at all,” Cooper said.

  “They say they are doing cancer research,” Sherman told Brielle, watching her closely for a reaction.

  Brielle felt anger flare inside her. “Like hell they are!”

  Sherman and Cooper exchanged glances.

  “What was that?” Brielle said, pointing between them.

  “We met your friend, Tina. She’s the front desk receptionist,” Cooper said.

  “She turned ghost-white at the mention of your name, claimed you were close once, but that you’re really just acquaintances now,” Sherman told her.

  Really? Just acquaintances? Brielle knew she shouldn’t be surprised. She and Tina had been friends for a long time. Friends, not just acquaintances.

  Sherman watched Brielle’s lips turn down. He knew her friend’s statement hurt her. “You’re a lot more than acquaintances, aren’t you?”

  “I guess not,” Brielle remarked. “Never mind that I’m her son’s Godmother.”

  “She’s afraid,” Sherman said. “That reinforces that there is something illegal going on out there. If they were doing groundbreaking cancer research, she’d be proud to work there. I’d like to get the chance to question her away from work.”

  “I tried, she quotes her NDA and won’t say a word.”

  “Maybe we’ll have better luck,” Madison said. “If she knows we will protect her, maybe she’ll give something up.”

  “So, you’re planning to stay longer than twenty-four hours?” Brielle asked.

  “Yes. We’ll be here until we’re done looking into BioDynamix,” Cooper said. “We agree with you, something isn’t right there.”

  Oh, thank God! Brielle thought. She relaxed a bit.

  “I’m going to go change into an appropriate outfit for court,” Madison said. She grabbed her backpack and sealed herself inside the master cabin. When she reemerged, she wore a nice pair of blue jeans and a button-down silk shirt.

  “We’ll have to declare ourselves as law enforcement to the police at the security checkpoint,” Sherman said. He’d run this play a few times. “And then I’ll identify myself to the judge and plead my case for Bobby.”

  “If it goes against you, I’ll present the extradition warrant. Robert Sherman is wanted by the FBI in Chicago,” she said and then giggled. “Bobby will just have to waive the extradition, thereby agreeing to it.”

  “I’m hoping for a few minutes to have a brief conversation with him before court,” Sherman said.

  Madison drove them in the SUV. They identified themselves and declared their weapons at the security checkpoint to enter the courthouse. Sherman couldn’t believe he was back here, doing this again for his brother. Of course, this time, the circu
mstances were different. Though misguided, Bobby had thought he’d done the right thing to help Brielle.

  Brielle, now there was an infuriating woman who he would like to get into bed. She hadn’t been wrong about that. He hoped once they got Bobby out, that she’d go with the flow and do what they told her to. He was honestly concerned that she’d go rogue and not follow their game plan, especially if it didn’t suit her or if she didn’t agree with the approach. Cajun women were fiercely independent and stubborn. All Cajuns were known for their steadfast devotion to family, so her hatred of him for the supposed wrong he’d done to her sister didn’t surprise him. His lips tipped up with that thought. Where in the hell had Dahlia gotten the notion that he would marry her?

  He saw Bobby within the courtroom. There were three arrestees in orange prison pajamas seated to the side of the courtroom. He led Madison over.

  “Brian, thanks for coming. This is my Public Defender, William Layton,” Bobby introduced, pointing to the short man in the cheap suit who looked like he was about twelve years old. “This is my brother, Brian, who I told you about.”

  The PD came to his feet and thrust his hand out to Sherman. “It’s nice to meet you, but I think you gave Bobby bad advice. They’re offering a plea deal, will only get him a year in the state pen. If this goes to trial, and he’s convicted, he could get eight years.”

  Sherman released his hand. “Do you know who I am?”

  “Yes, Bobby told me you’re a federal agent. But that doesn’t matter regarding these charges.”

  “My brother is not pleading guilty or taking a plea deal.” His eyes scanned over Bobby. “You okay? No more falls or anything?”

  “Yeah, they’ve left me alone.” His eyes were on Madison.

  “This is my girlfriend, Special Agent Madison Miller,” Sherman introduced.

  Bobby shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Brian never did tell me nothing about you. Where are your manners Brian, keeping the knowledge of a fine looking woman such as this from me?”

  “Don’t even,” Sherman warned for show. Yes, he’d have to talk with his brother at a later time about women. He was convinced that Brielle had not been lying. After much consideration, he was sure Bobby was gay. How had he not seen it before?

  “It’s nice to meet you, Bobby,” Madison said.

  Sherman leaned in close to Bobby’s ear and whispered. “Whatever I say, agree with me. You got it?”

  Bobby nodded.

  “If this doesn’t go our way, we have a Hail Mary, so don’t worry,” Sherman added.

  “All rise,” the Bailiff announced as the door to the judge’s chamber opened. “The honorable Basil Guidry presiding.”

  Everyone stood.

  Good, he was a Cajun, Sherman thought. That was the first break. Now he’d just need a few more.

  The judge took his seat on the bench. “You may be seated,” he said with a strong Cajun accent. “We are arraigning three cases this afternoon.”

  Sherman had never been in his courtroom before. He could only hope the man was fair.

  “Robert Sherman, please take the defendant’s chair,” the Bailiff called.

  Sherman moved to the defense table with Bobby and his Public Defender. The PD was obviously annoyed with Sherman taking a spot at the defense table. He glanced between the judge and Sherman. All three men stood. Madison sat in the chair behind them in the gallery.

  “In the people verses Robert Sherman, on the charges of criminal trespass, possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, and public intoxication, how do you plead, Mr. Sherman?” The judge asked.

  “William Layton, counsel to Mr. Sherman,” the PD announced. “My client pleads not guilty.”

  The judge shuffled a few papers and didn’t look happy. “In the matter of bail, what is the people’s recommendation?”

  “We request bail be denied, your Honor. Mr. Sherman has many priors, he’s been remanded to drug rehab instead of jail on two previous occasions, and this time there was criminal damage to property. A fence was cut, and the owners claim that the damage exceeds eight-hundred dollars.”

  “Excuse me, your Honor,” Sherman cut in. “If it pleases the court, I feel I need to identify myself to you. I am Brian Sherman, Robert Sherman’s brother.” He pulled his badge and credentials from his back pocket. “I am a former Navy SEAL, and currently serve our country as a special agent with the ATF, headquartered in the Chicago area. I have offered full restitution for the damage to the fence to the BioDynamic’s facility in exchange for the dropping of those charges. I am prepared to make full restitution to them through the court cashier today.” He made sure his Cajun accent was strong. “My brother is addicted to drugs, your Honor. Jail will not rehabilitate him. It more than likely will only feed his drug addiction. I request he be remanded one further time to drug rehab.”

  “Is a representative from BioDynamix present in this courtroom?” The judge asked.

  “Yes, your Honor,” Mike Spencer, from Biodynamix said as he stood.

  “Do you have the authority to accept or decline Mr. Sherman’s offer of full restitution?”

  “I do your Honor,” he said. “And Biodynamix does accept Mr. Sherman’s offer to pay in full today the amount of eight-hundred fifty dollars to repair the damaged fence. And if he does, we will drop the charges.”

  “So decided,” The judge said. “This court will remove the charges of criminal damage to property and criminal trespass. Mr. Sherman, you will pay the court cashier. Bailiff, please draw up the paperwork.”

  “Yes, your Honor,” the Bailiff replied.

  Sherman watched Sheriff Henderson’s face. The man was not happy.

  “And on the request for remand into a drug treatment facility rather than jail, your Honor?” The PD asked.

  “If Mr. Sherman pleads guilty to the drug possession charges, the court will consider it,” the judge said.

  The PD leaned in and whispered to Bobby and Sherman his advice that Bobby plead guilty.

  “No,” Sherman replied. “He only pleads guilty to the charges if drug rehab is approved.”

  “I can’t tell the judge that,” the PD said.

  “Well, I can,” Sherman said. He turned to face the judge. “Your Honor, if the court approves an in-patient drug treatment facility, my brother will plead guilty. However, if it will not, he requests a jury trial and pleads not guilty.”

  The judge looked pissed. Sherman guessed he’d pushed too far.

  “While I agree that Mr. Sherman had no criminal intent,” the judge said, “his repeated and habitual drug use borders on criminal.” He leaned forward and glared at Bobby. “Mr. Sherman, you have been remanded to rehab on two previous occasions. Why am I to believe that the outcome this time will be any different?”

  “If I may, your Honor,” Sherman spoke up. “This time I intend, with your permission, to take Bobby back up north with me and check him into a top-rated facility. After the mandated thirty days as an in-patient, I will keep him with me for his out-patient treatment to ensure he is staying on track. It is my hope that my brother will find gainful employment in my home area and remain with me so that I can monitor him and be sure he does not backslide this time.”

  “This court does not have any payment agreements for remand with any drug treatment facilities outside of this area,” the judge said.

  “I plan to pay cash in full for the treatment at the facility I have chosen. It does work with the courts in the Chicago area, and I have already spoken to the court liaison at that facility, who indicated that they will work with this court and provide status updates. He will be housed in the remand wing and will not be able to check himself out or leave the facility before the thirty-day mark.”

  The judge read back through his papers and then looked pensive. He breathed out a heavy sigh. “Mr. Sherman, do you share your brother’s optimism that the third time can be the charm?”

  “I do your Honor,” Bobby said. “I stayed clean for a long time after the la
st rehab. It’s hard coming out of rehab to your old life, your friends, being around other people who use, triggers. I think up north with my brother I have the best chance that I’ve ever had to stay clean. I don’t want to use drugs, your Honor. I want to be sober. I want to work. I want to contribute to society, but mostly I want my brother to be proud of me. I don’t want to be a burden to him.”

  The judge nodded. He had listened intently to every word, and more importantly, he’d watched Bobby’s face as he spoke, just as Sherman had. Bobby wasn’t blowing smoke up anyone’s ass. He legitimately wanted Brian to be proud of him. “Okay, this is your last chance, Mr. Sherman. I will be making notes that you have been advised of such. If you ever appear back in this Parish, before any judge, you will not be given the option for drug treatment rather than jail. This is your last chance.”