“Your threats mean nothing to me, Marvin. Now listen, and listen good. I’m shortening your delivery date. You have until the end of the week to get my money. No more excuses. It’s not becoming of an executive of your caliber. If you don’t have my money, I have no problem taking other measures to see that you do what I ask. I’ll be in touch.” Slam!
Marvin grabbed his ear and rubbed it as the sound of Peaches slamming the phone down vibrated throughout his head. He slammed his own phone down on the cradle and pushed back from his desk. Standing up, Marvin took an empty coffee cup and threw it against the wall. Yvonne rushed in with a worried look on her face.
“You alright, Mr. Thomas?”
Quiet engulfed the neighborhood as Rachel drove into her subdivision. It was just as she’d left it, but it seemed to have a different feel to it.
As Rachel moved toward her street, she realized that it was she who was different. She would no longer take life for granted. God giveth and he taketh away. Life and family were to be cherished, and while she might be living one of the best times in her life, she couldn’t ignore the fact that God had blessed her with the things she had. The moon and the stars, the sun and the rain, night and day—they were God’s gift to mankind so they would be utilized for man’s benefit and His glory.
Rachel pulled into the garage and turned off the engine. Looking over her shoulder, she gazed at a sleeping Serena and smiled. They were home, and this was where she was going to stay. She was going to be a friend, partner, and lover to her husband. She was finally growing up.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
Wednesday came before he knew it. Cecil placed his notes in the attaché case in preparation for his meeting with Robert Jordan and Regal Resorts. After pondering over the case all weekend, he realized this was a cut-and-dried case. There wasn’t a written contract with Marvin’s signature on it that stated he had sold his shares to Regal Resorts. It was Marvin’s word, through Cecil, against Regal Resorts. Since Cecil was armed, thanks to Yvonne, with a copy of the minutes from the board of directors’ meeting at Thomas and Richmond Tecktronics, Inc., indicating that the board was not in agreement with a buyout/merger, Regal Resorts had no leg to stand on.
With great precision, Cecil placed a newly drawn-up document for Regal Resorts to sign relinquishing any claim and interest they might have had in Thomas and Richmond Tecktronics into his attaché case. He stopped in the small bathroom that occupied a small area of his office and checked his tie in the mirror and patted his hair. The light in the bathroom made his Princeton ring and Rolex sparkle. Satisfied, he stepped out of the bathroom, picked up his attaché case, and headed to Jordan’s office a few blocks away. He was ready.
Cecil arrived at Jordan’s office in fifteen minutes flat. Jordan was a senior partner at Jordan, Whittier, Jacobs, and Black. His name was not only legendary in Atlanta but all across the United States, his having defended some big names in business in several high-profile cases including Enron and WorldCom. Jordan’s record of successful wins was higher than the number of floors in the Empire State Building.
A pretty brown-skinned secretary sat at the reception desk when Cecil approached Jordan’s office. Her hair was brownish-red with blonde highlights and was pulled back tight in a ponytail, so tight it made her eyes slant. She had a gracious smile for Cecil, and the name on the desk plate read Cynthia Brown.
“Good afternoon, Miz Brown,” Cecil said, offering a gracious smile in return. “I’m Attorney Cecil Coleman, and I have a twelve o’clock appointment with Robert Jordan.”
“He’s expecting you,” Cynthia said. She got up from her desk and walked around it. “Mr. Jordan is waiting for you in the conference room down the hall.” Cynthia pointed. “First door on the right.”
It was difficult not to stare at this woman’s gorgeous body. Cynthia wore a red St. John two-piece suit with matching red three-inch heels. She was almost as tall as Cecil, and the rest of the package was a head turner with all other assets in the right place. Cecil had to put his hormones in check and redirect his mind and energy to the purpose intended. He thanked Cynthia and headed out the door just as another black female with a short Afro, in her late thirties or early forties, passed him.
“Hi, Peaches,” Cynthia said. “I hope this is the right file. You know we needed this a couple of days ago.”
Cecil stopped in his tracks. Peaches. Peaches, he repeated over in his head. That was the name of the woman Trina was talking about—the woman who was making Marvin’s life miserable. What was the likelihood that this could be the same Peaches? It’s not a common name, and the Peaches Trina had been talking about lived in Atlanta. He’d have to inquire about her once he finished with Jordan.
“Is there anything wrong, Mr. Coleman?” Cynthia asked.
Cecil straightened up his shoulders. “Uhh, no...no. I thought I had forgotten something, and I was just trying to remember if I put it in my briefcase. First door on the right?”
“Yes, that’s it.”
The other woman named Peaches stared at him and smiled. “Thank you,” Cecil said, and walked out of the office.
Swallowing, Cecil couldn’t get Peaches out of his mind. He didn’t know much about what was going on, and hadn’t paid much attention to Trina’s ranting and raving about this part of Marvin’s problem. He couldn’t wait to finish with Jordan.
Voices could be heard as Cecil entered the conference room. The trio comprised of Vincent Kinyard, David Eason, and Jordan stopped and looked up as Cecil came into the room and found a seat at Jordan’s insistence. Cecil tried to gauge their moods, but they were a stoic bunch and gave no hint to what they were thinking.
“I’m not going to prolong this meeting but get right to the point. Coleman, I hope you’ve had time to rethink the decision to fight us for the shares Marvin Thomas gave up. We can avoid a nasty, drawn-out trial. Kinyard and Eason are prepared to complete the documents necessary to transfer the stock and continue with buyout procedures. I hope your coming here this afternoon means this was what you plan to do, so we can get this over with and have lunch. I wouldn’t mind a round of golf. How about you fellas?” Jordan nodded at Kinyard and Eason.
Cecil opened his attaché case and took out his notes but left the contract in the case. He observed the men at the table whose eyes seemed hopeful, waiting for him to concede.
“Gentlemen, I come here this afternoon with the same mindset as you, and that is to conclude the matter in this case so that we can move on with our lives. However, it has never been my intention to settle the dispute over the shares in your favor. In fact, I find it rather presumptuous of you all to think that I or my client was ever going to give in, no matter how you may perceive this case to be. It is not cut-and-dried as you may believe.
“I offer for your edification a copy of the minutes of the last board of directors’ meeting of Thomas and Richmond Tecktronics, Inc., that was held on Friday, October 24. In the minutes you will find, under Action Items, the text of the board’s decision to support Mr. Marvin Thomas in securing his fifty-two shares in Thomas and Richmond as well as their unanimous agreement not to support a buyout. Without the agreement and signature of the board of directors of Thomas and Richmond Tecktronics, Inc., you have no other recourse but to bow out gracefully.”
Jordan took the copies of the minutes and passed the other two to Kinyard and Eason. He scanned the document, specifically looking for the Action Item entry. After reading it, he crumpled up the piece of paper and threw it across the table. “I don’t know who you think you’re trying to fool with this piece of garbage, Cecil, but this document doesn’t mean a hill of beans to me. You come in here slinging your fancy rhetoric, but the bottom line is those shares belong to Regal Resorts, Inc.”
“You should be held in contempt,” Kinyard lashed out. “You were the one who came to us with this offer. And just like that you want to take it back. What kind of lawyer are you?”
“I don’t apologize for my actions,” Cecil said. �
�I work on behalf of my clients.”
“Well, you should have advised your client against selling his shares before you came to us with the offer. That’s what Jordan would have done,” Kinyard said.
Cecil was fuming. “Since you weren’t there, you don’t know how I advised him, but it’s none of your damn business. The point remains that there will be no buyout, and since there’s no evidence or record of any stocks that belong to Marvin Thomas being sold to Regal Resorts, this case is closed.”
“I’m going to have you disbarred, Coleman,” Jordan shouted, standing up and pointing his finger at Cecil. “You’re not going to get away with this.”
Cecil smiled. “I already have.” He quickly took out the document that he had drawn up for Regal Resorts to sign. “Jordan, I have a form that I’d like for your clients to sign that relinquishes any claim and interest they might have in Thomas and Richmond Tecktronics.”
“This is bullcrap, Coleman. We’re not signing anything.” Jordan took the document and tore it into pieces. “You’ve not heard the last of us.”
“Hold up, Jordan,” Vincent Kinyard said. “Why don’t we make Mr. Coleman an offer?”
“What are you talking about, Kinyard?” Jordan asked with a frown.
“I say that if Mr. Coleman wants us to sign this document and forget about Thomas and Richmond, that his client pay us the sum of one hundred thousand dollars for all the time wasted in pursuing this. Mr. Coleman will retain his reputation, and there won’t be any bad feelings.”
“Sounds like something I could live with,” Jordan said. “How about it, Cecil?”
“Do I look like a fool to you? Paying one hundred thousand dollars is like admitting an offer was tendered, whether it was or not. And I’m sure my client won’t agree to this.”
“This is our best offer. Take it or leave it,” Jordan said with a smug look on his face.
Cecil stood up. He looked from Jordan to Kinyard to Eason. He placed his notes back in his attaché and shut it with force. “I’ll get back with you.”
“Soon, or else we take it a step further.”
“Good day, gentlemen.” And Cecil walked out of the conference room and down the hall. He wanted to strangle Jordan. Jordan was pursuing this out of spite. Thomas and Richmond Tecktronics had made a name for itself, but given the history of its origin, Cecil thought Jordan might be more sympathetic and advise his clients accordingly. Well, he had a record, too, and he was going to win this case.
Just as Cecil was about to leave the office, he remembered Peaches. He went back to Cecil’s office and was grateful that Ms. Brown was still there and the office was empty. Surprise registered on her face when Cecil re-entered.
“Hi, Mr. Coleman. I didn’t expect to see you again. Everything go okay?”
“Well, let’s say it was enlightening. We’ve still got a few things to clear up. But the real reason I came back was to ask you about the lady who came into the office when I was about to leave. I thought I recognized her, but I wasn’t sure.”
“You mean Peaches. Franklin is her last name; I don’t think Peaches is her first name, though.”
“Would you do me a favor?”
“What kind of favor, Mr. Coleman?”
Cecil handed Cynthia his business card. “I need you to keep this completely confidential. I believe I know her, but in order for me to know for sure, I need her first name. I want to surprise her if she’s who I think she is. When you get it, you can call me at this number.”
“Sure, I’ll do it. I think that’s so cool when people can hook up after years of not seeing each other. She thought you were cute, too, and she didn’t seem to recognize you either. I see you have a ring on your finger.”
“It may not even be her,” Cecil offered. “I think I just want to satisfy my curiosity. Don’t go to any trouble.”
“No, I’d be happy to do it, Mr. Coleman. I’ll do it discreetly.”
“Oh, and yes, I’m happily married. You have a good day, and if you can get the information, that would be great.”
Cecil walked out, noting the disappointment on Cynthia’s face when he told her he was happily married. He was happily married, but if he’d ever slip, he might have to check out Ms. Brown, even though she worked for the enemy. But he did get something out of it—a last name for Ms. Peaches.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
Consumed with her laundry list of things to do today, especially all the heads she was scheduled to shampoo and make pretty for the various high school home-comings, Claudette didn’t see Ashley shuffle into the visitors room until she was upon her. Her face lit up when she saw Ashley.
“Hey, Ash,” Claudette said, reaching out to give her a hug. Ashley offered her cheek. “So what was so important that you insisted I come today? I’ll have to work all night to get heads done for homecoming.”
“Thanks, Claudette. I can always count on you. You know, you’re my very best friend. Sylvia used to be; we’ve lost our connection. ‘A friend is one who walks in when others walk out.’ That is a quote from Walter Winchell. I like his sayings.”
“Wow, Ash. Don’t make me shed any tears up in here; I’m on the verge. But I will tell you, the girls love you. In fact just this past weekend, Rachel said she wanted to accompany us on our next visit to see you, which will be soon.”
“That’s good to hear—about the girls, I mean. But to answer your question, I was wondering how Marvin is doing and what’s happening with his company.”
“What’s with your sudden preoccupation with Marvin and his company?”
“Marvin was so good to me when I was going through my own trials with William. Do you remember how he immediately went to bat for you when Kwame got into trouble because of the fire?”
“How can I forget? It also brought Tyrone back into my life.”
“Claudette, whenever I get out of here and I will, I want to settle down, maybe get married again. I want a man just like Marvin. Rachel is so fortunate to have snagged that jewel.”
“You don’t know how fortunate.” Claudette went on to tell Ashley about the recent events, including Rachel’s receiving the picture from the brazen Peaches and Claudette’s, Mona’s, and Sylvia’s attempt at being detectives and what they found out. Claudette shared the moment they all came together in Ex-Files fashion, and how it brought Rachel and Marvin back from the brink of splitsville.
Nostalgia led Ashley to shed a tear. “I miss the group. If it weren’t for you, Sylvia, Rachel, and that crazy Mona, I wouldn’t have made it. My divorce was so devastating, and then to have William walk back into my life, which was what I thought I wanted, and have it go so sour.”
“That was in the past, Ash,” Claudette said, rubbing her arm. “Look toward the future.”
“I know, Claudette, but the future seems so far away.”
Claudette put her head down. She couldn’t offer any assurances that would make Ashley feel any better about her plight. Possibly, with good behavior, Ashley might get released early, but that was a stretch to say the least.
“Unless there’s something else you want to know, I’ve got to be getting back to the shop. I’ll let you know when the girls and I are coming. I’ll even bring Reagan with me.”
A smile formed on Ashley’s face. “I’d like that. Oh, do you have Marvin’s address? I’d like to send him a word of encouragement.”
“You’re lucky I have my address book on me. He’d like that, Ash. You’re always thinking of others.”
Claudette wrote down Marvin’s address, folded the piece of paper, and placed it in the pocket of Ashley’s prison outfit. “Give T my love and kiss Reagan for me,” Ash said finally.
Claudette stood and waved good-bye to Ashley. She waited until the guard came to escort Ashley back to her cell. After standing there a few minutes, a worker passed by and gave her a Kleenex to wipe her face. That was the first time Claudette had shed tears for Ashley—her best friend.
Ashley stood in line and waited to use the ph
one. She hadn’t heard from her father in almost a week, and it probably was because he didn’t take her seriously. Well, she wasn’t weak little Ashley. After all, look what she’d done to William. The downside to that was that the people of the State of Georgia had spoken and given her free accommodations for life in a no-frills environment where she didn’t have to cook or required a good job to make ends meet.
She’d accepted her fate because she may have deserved it. And according to the judge, William’s life was not hers to take, no matter how he may have treated her.
Next in line to use the phone, Ashley tapped her feet. She didn’t relish the task of calling her father, who was objecting to her request for money. Mr. Robert Jordan was a hero to many, but to Ashley, he was just Dad. She didn’t care if she was in jail, the money was hers, and Attorney Robert Jordan would not dictate to her what she was to do with it.
It was her turn, and Ashley dialed the number she had committed to memory. She waited while the operator sought an acknowledgment that the receiver would accept the charges...then she heard a familiar voice...a weary voice, a voice that accepted the charges, even though he was not equally happy to hear her voice.
“Daddy,” Ashley began, “I need you to bring the money to me today—a certified cashier’s check. I’d appreciate it very much if you could come within the next couple of hours.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
“Cecil, I’m so looking forward to this party.”
“So, you and your cousin are reconnecting. I thought you said he was one of the sorriest black men you knew. This is quite a three-sixty; and a party to boot.”
“I judged Kenny wrong. Yes, he had his issues—what black man doesn’t—but if I think back, he was always industrious. He just had that other side to him—the partying, the womanizing. It was a shame how he treated some of those women. I’m equally amazed at how he ended up with Sylvia. She seems like she’s always been a class act.”
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