Criminal Defense

by Alice J. Harris-Wood

  “Redd kept the moonshine business going and the palace and the Gentlemen’s Basement. Many of the big shots hung out at Redd’s place. All three businesses were alive and well. Business was better than ever. Redd was one of the best repeated clients at the Gentlemen’s Basement. He had all kinds of liquor but loved his moonshine,” said Lola.

  “The women were running after Redd but he only wanted one thing from them. That was to make love with them as if it was Nina. Some of the women realized this but thought he might fall in love with them. But that never happened,” said Lola.

  “One night, Redd came home from the palace and Ida, the housekeeper, was lying on the kitchen floor. She was dead. The doctors said she died of a heart attack. The boys were older, around eight years old. The boys were big enough to help around the house and the farm. Redd had dreams for them; he wanted to them to go to college and become honest businessmen. He also wanted them to understand how to protect and take care of their business,” said Lola.

  "With all that was going on with Redd, he needed help. Shortly after Ida died, a little young girl of about nineteen years old knocked on his door, stating, ‘I am looking for work. I just moved here last week and the operator at the boarding home in town said that you might need some help with the kids and housekeeping,’ said the young girl.

  "Thinking to himself, Redd looked her over. She was cute, but not his Nina.

  “After a few seconds, Redd said, ‘Come in and let’s talk.’ Rita started working that day and Redd liked her a lot, but she was not Nina,” said Lola.

  "Rita and Redd became an item. Folks sometimes referred to her as Mrs. Redd. And she would reply, ‘Not yet.’

  "One day out of the blue, Redd came home early, stating, ‘Rita, I need to talk to you. I am getting older and the boys are men and I need a wife. Will you marry me?’ asked Redd.

  "Rita, looking shocked, said, ‘Yes.’

  “Rita knew her marriage to Redd was not going to be the same as it was when he had Nina but she was ready to settle for second place. Rita was at least hoping for a big wedding but Redd wanted to just go to the justice of the peace and got married, so that is what happened,” said Lola.

  “As the years passed by, the boys were getting older and they started hanging around with Redd. They would listen and hang on to every word he spoke. They loved their father and wanted to be just like him. He had learned over the years to be a fair man but if you crossed him, you would pay the price,” said Lola.

  “The boys were smart in every way, that is, street-smart and book-smart. They learned how to work the farm and how to manage the palace very quickly. In fact, they had some ideas to run past Redd. When it came time for them to go off to college, Redd was happy but sad at the same time. He loved the boys and would miss having them around. But at the same time he wanted them to get quality education. They both got scholarships from the same university and off they went,” said Lola.

  “Lola, did they ever try to contact Candee to let them know that Nina had died?” asked Ted.

  “No, Redd said that he wanted to let them have a clean break from the past.”

  “So all those years passed and they never heard from them again?” said Ted.

  “That’s right, never again. Candee and Frank were only in their late twenties and had plenty of time to change their life and to start over again,” said Lola.

  “After the boys went away to college, what did Redd do?” asked Ted.

  “Redd got totally involved with the palace and his moonshine sales. Moonshine was very popular in the South. It was cheap and easy to get. Redd did not pay any taxes or fees connected to moonshine. With the blue laws in some of the northern states, moonshine at Sunday speakeasies was very profitable even in the South,” said Lola.

  “The twins were very popular at the college. They were popular for several reasons. They were making and selling moonshine in the woods near the school and having poker games on Saturday nights. They were very smart and both were majoring in business. These subjects and the material came very easy to them. In fact, they were in the top five percent of their class,” said Lola.

  "Even some of the staff at the college became regular customers. Because they were very good-looking, the girls were chasing after them. They had the charm and looks of Nina and the business sense of Redd. They were not running these businesses because they needed the money but because they saw opportunity and it was in the genes.

  “The boys informed their father about their business activities and Redd told him to stop making moonshine and that he would make deliveries in suitcases once a month. Redd did not want them to get caught making the liquor and get kicked out of school,” said Lola.

  “Nick and Nate were so good at selling moonshine that Redd wanted to expand in other colleges. During spring breaks, the twins would sell to Greek fraternities for their houses and beach parties. The distribution system that was set up was well organized with colleges in the South and the North as far as New York,” said Lola.

  "‘By the time we graduated, we will have plenty of money to go legit,’ said Nick.

  "‘Our future partners are chemistry majors and have shown me figures that suggest that biofuels will be the thing of the future. We are only in our early twenties, and if we start developing our product now, the biofuel market will be ours. Pop’s generation did whatever they had to do to make it. Now it is our turn to do it our way,’ said Nick.

  “Nick and Nate were alike in many ways but also different in many ways. Nick wanted to go legit. On the other hand, Nate secretly loved the criminal life. That lifestyle gave him power and influence over others,” said Lola.

  “Not long after graduation, they returned home and worked the college operation from the farm but they could not grow enough corn to keep up with demand. So, Nick called on his chemistry friend to develop an additive to put in the liquor in order to increase the supply. The friend came up with an additive which proved to be wonderful. Production was back on track,” said Lola.

  “Rita worked hard, taking care of the house and cooking for Redd and the boys. Redd was spending most of his time at the palace, especially the Gentlemen’s Basement. Rita was not getting attention. Many people wondered why she stayed with Redd. Deep down inside, she loved him and was willing to do anything to just be with him,” said Lola.

  “The moonshine competitor that Redd had killed was Rita’s oldest brother. Rita never knew her brother, for he left home a few years after she was born. There was fifteen years’ difference in their ages. She never told anyone that he was her brother. Her brother was looked upon by the community as the lower class in Harrisonville. She had status and money and influence which she thought was enough,” said Lola.

  "Thinking to herself, Rita said, ‘I have cleaned this house, cooked his meals, and raised his boys, and what do I have to show for all these years? Now he has killed my brother.’

  “Rita quietly drank a few glasses of moonshine and sat in the dark living room, waiting for Redd to come home. The longer she sat, the more she drank,” said Lola.

  “Rita fell asleep and when she woke up, Redd was in the bed fast asleep. She picked up Sue (his handgun), walked right over to him, and pointed the gun to his head, stating, ‘Nina is gone and now you can go with her.’ One shot to the head killed him. Then she put Sue under her chin and pulled the trigger. And that was the end of that generation of criminals,” said Lola.

  “Oh my, oh my!” looking stunned, Ted was lost for words.

  “Nick and Nate closed down the palace for the night and came home. As they entered the house, they could smell the strange odor of death in the air. The house was completely dark and totally calm and quiet,” said Lola.

  “Walking slowly through the house, they called out for Rita and Redd but no one responded. Finally, they turned on the lights in Redd’s bedroom and there they were, lying in pools of blood. Their faces were not recognizable. It was like looking at two monsters,” said Lola.

  "�
�Nick, call the sheriff,’ said Nate.

  "When the sheriff got to the house, he could not believe what he saw. ‘Do you know why she killed Redd?’ asked the sheriff.

  "‘There are no notes or indication that they were arguing,’ said Nick.

  "‘Well boys, this is a tragedy and a devastating loss for Harrisonville. Nothing will ever be the same,’ said the sheriff.

  "‘What should we do, sheriff?’ asked Nate.

  "‘Gather up everything that you want and any papers that are important. After you have secured your things, set the house on fire. It is better for the community to remember these two as a loving couple. I will make a statement that they died in the fire and could not get out,’ said the sheriff.

  “Within about an hour, the two boys had cleared the house of its entire valuables and set the house on fire,” said Lola.

  "‘Nate,’ said Nick, ‘Pop had plans for us, but I have my own plans. I want to go legit. We have plenty of money and we are the heirs of all his assets. He also has an insurance policy for $2,000,000 with the two of us as the beneficiaries. I also would like to try my hand at law school. I would like to have my own law firm someday,’ said Nick.

  "Nick continued, ‘My chemistry friends have convinced me that biofuels will be a cleaner and better alternative to oil in the future. We are young and have time to invest in this alternative fuel. Our corn supply can be divided into feed for livestock, consumption, and biofuel,’ said Nick.

  "‘Nick, I like living on the edge and it is in my genes. I am going to stay on here at Harrisonville and continue running the palace. Nothing is forever, and Pop’s generation is now gone and we have to be strong and stay focused,’ said Nate.

  "‘Let’s split up his estate,’ said Nick. ‘You take the palace and I will take the farm. Any other real estate we will sell to the locals,’ said Nick.

  "On the farm, Nick and his chemistry friends designed and built a large complex with state of the art labs. In the labs, they developed better quality corn and fertilizers which enabled them to grow the crops faster. At the same time, Nick enrolled in the local university’s law school.

  “Nick’s new life was going very well. He was an outstanding law student and entrepreneur. Using corn as a biofuel caused big concerns with producers and sellers of oil. Nick, in the back of his head, always remembered his father’s plans about building an empire of businesses. Nick realized that growing corn for biofuel would be the key component of his future empire,” said Lola.

  “Nate was busy reorganizing the banking system, gaming hall, and the palace in order to modernize their systems. He loved criminal activities. It was in his genes. But before he reopened in full force, he wanted to have a memorial for his father and Rita. Nick felt that there should be closure on the old generation so that the new generation could start over without any regrets,” said Lola.

  “The memorial was held at the palace. Many politicians, law officers, and friends attended. Frank and Candee did not come. Nick and Nate had heard stories about Frank and Candee but had never met them. Nick found a note written by Candee, stating, ‘If you ever need us, put an ad in the NC Journal and we will come.’ Nick put the ad in, but they did not show up,” said Lola.

  "At the memorial, Nick and Nate spoke. Nick said the following: ‘My mother, Nina, and my father were in love. My mother died having my brother and me in the name of love. My father loved her from the first time he saw her. Now they are together. May God have mercy on their souls!’

  "Nick and Nate knew what Rita did and her name was not mentioned at the memorial. No pictures of her were displayed. All the pictures were of Nina and

  Grandpa," said Lola.

  "When the memorial was over, everyone was invited to the opening of the new palace. In fact the name had changed to ‘Palace Grande.’ A big banner across the entrance stated: ‘Nina and Redd, you will be missed,’ said Lola.

  "As you walked in, a live band and singers were getting it on. All the tables were decorated with pretty flowers, just as if Nina and Candee had fixed the tables.

  “A waiter greeted everyone at the door and escorted them to a table. A different set of waiters took their drink order which was on the house. A third set of waiters walked around with Hors d’oeuvres. After almost all the tables were filled, a long row of all types of foods was uncovered. A dance floor was designed to hold a great number of dancers at the same time. Nate had remodeled the whole building. Even the Gentlemen’s Basement was grander,” said Lola.

  “Nate and Nick were sitting at the bar and a tall, beautiful, young lady walked through the door. She had long coal-black hair, skin that was the color of pure cream, and bright green eyes. She was dressed in a slim red dress that curved with her body. She looked like she just stepped out of Vogue magazine,” said Lola.

  “Nate could not take his eyes off her. She stopped and looked around and then headed straight for the bar. As she approached, Nate started sweating and taking deep breaths. It took her a long time to make it to the bar because she moved very slowly as if she was auditioning for a part in a movie. This beauty had all the right moves. It was obvious that she was a professional at whatever it was that she did. At some point, she was standing in front of Nate,” said Lola.

  "‘Hello boys,’ she said, ‘you look like twins. Double trouble, I see. I have been traveling all night and most of the day. How about buying a lady a drink? Make that a margarita?’ she said, sipping on her drink. ‘This appears to be a nice place to work. Do you know if they are hiring?’

  "Nate, without hesitating, said, ‘Yes.’

  "Nick said, ‘Wait, what are your skills?’

  "‘Guys, I can do everything. I can dance, sing, play the piano, bartend, and wait on customers. I am a complete package,’ she said.

  "‘Well,’ said Nick, ‘that’s the easy thing. Can you cook?’

  "‘Sir, I told you, I can do everything. Cooking is my middle name.’ She smiled as she responded.

  "‘Okay, dance with me. I have dreamed of a girl who can do everything,’ said Nate.

  "‘Touching her body is like touching an angel that just fell out of the sky from heaven, as they slow-danced to Etta James’ song. ‘At Last,’ thought Nate.

  "As they were dancing, Nate asked, ‘What is your name?’

  "‘My name is Zola,’ she responded.

  "‘That sounds like music to my ears,’ said Nate.

  “Zola and Nate are my parents. They are criminals of the second generation,” said Lola.

  “Zola was from New Orleans. She was part French and part black. She was considered Creole. She looked white but was not hundred percent. Many of her family members on her mother’s side were dark-skinned blacks. She never tried to act white; she was just herself,” said Lola.

  "After dancing, Nick wanted to see her sing and play the piano. Without hesitation, he jumped on the baby grand and shouted, ‘Let’s roll!’

  “After a few notes, she started singing Fats Domino’s song, ‘Blueberry Hill.’ Everyone who could get up started dancing. The whole Palace Grande was singing with her. If they could not get on the dance floor, they stood on top of the tables. When the song was over, they yelled for more. It seemed as if she played all night. She was enjoying herself. She played and sang her favorites, which appeared to be everyone else’s favorites too. I’m in love again, I’m walkin’, walking to New Orleans, and ain’t it a shame? Zola, all by herself, brought Boogie Woogie to a little county town like Harrisonville. That was my mother, the girl that could do everything,” said Lola.

  “Nick looked at Nate and shook his head, for he knew his brother would be okay, and walked out,” said Lola.

  "Zola went home with Nate and claimed him for herself that night. She was nineteen years old but looked and acted older and Nate was twenty-six years old. They both loved each other. Within a few weeks, they were married.

  "Zola was from New Orleans and wanted to bring her hometown to Harrisonville. Nate wanted to reorganize and it was t
he right time to make the changes. Zola’s layout included an outside component during spring and summer, with Bar-B-Q being cooked outside on large pit, clams on the half shell, corn on cob, greens, all types of salads, and a large bar. Tables with umbrella would surround the live band and singers.

  "Inside would be several bars with beautiful, decorated tables with a DJ. On the inside, the tables would be beautifully decorated with waiters to take the orders with a full menu. Zola had suggested that they be opened just on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This way, they would have the rest of the week for planning and relaxation.

  "In the plans, Zola wanted a large swimming pool so that the whole family could enjoy the Palace Grande. Nate loved the plans. Within a short period of time, they were up and running. Zola was the major entertainment attraction on Saturday night. She played the piano, sang, and danced to the local band. She was a big hit on and off the stage.

  “Zola knew that at some point she would have to tell Nate that she was not totally white. She did not know how he would feel. So she decided not to tell right away.”

  Ted looked at Lola and said, “You are not white.”

  “No, not totally,” replied Lola.

  “My grandmother on my mother’s side was black and we have a rainbow of colors in our family which makes it a fun family to be associated with. We have never tried to pass for white. We marry people that we love and not because of the color of their skin. My mother said it was the color of a person’s heart that counts and not the color of their skin,” said Lola.

  “That is the only reason a person should marry, for love. My grandparents married for love. Their love for each other is what got them through the hard times so that they could enjoy the good time. That is what I want for my wife and me one day,” said Ted.

  "The Gentlemen’s Basement and the gambling hall were opened every night. That area was remodeled, and it had its own adult exercise room and swimming pool, bar, and, restaurant. It was totally separate from the rest of the complex. After a few years, Zola decided that they should add a few amusements for the kids. The surrounding area put up hotels to accommodate outside visitors. Harrisonville had become a vacation spot for couples and families.