Guilty! The Trials of Phil Ferguson

by Sean Russell

Jade’s smile was the picture of mischief. She looked at Phil, examining his anatomy,lustclearlyinherthoughts.Philreadherthoughts.Itwassoeasy,even acavemancould.

  “That’s not fair. I’m an injured man.” Jade quickly straddled him and leaned over him, her breasts embracing his face. Phil’s primal instincts instantly took over.Thestirringinhisgroinconfirmedit.Shewhisperedinhisear.

  “IthoughtI’dmakeiteasierforyou.”Shetickledhisearwithhertongue.

  “You did, but I’m no longer interested.” Jade looked at him with fake disappointment.

  “I’drathergetsomethingelse.”

  “Really?”

  “Uhhuh.”

  “WellasItoldyou,Imadeiteasyforyou.”

  “Jade. I’m not talking ’bout no damn phone.” She leaned over on him, whispering in his ear again, exerting more pressure. Phil was aware if the increased intensity, very aware of her body. It was a very good feeling. He listenedtoherwhisperings,themeaningeverybitasdeliciousasthefeelofher bodynexttohim,herfragrancecaressinghim,inebriatinghim.

  “I’mnotwearinganypanties.”

  Philfeltlikehehadwonthelottery.Hewasnotgoingtoprison,andhehadthe mostbeautifulwomanintheworldreadytodevourhim.

  “AndI’mwet…”

  Sheguidedhimtohersourceofmoisture.

  CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO

  Jackielovedbeingamodel.Shelovedattention.

  Shelovedthecatcalls…theygaveherahigh.Shewasborntobeadiva.She

  hadeverythingandmore.

  She had the height, 5’ 11”, the smooth, flawless skin and a beautiful face with high cheekbones. She had a knack for dressing just right to show off her slim figure. The comments, better yet, the work she got, were positive proof. The clothesweremadeforher.

  She was what designers lived for, to design clothes for her to dazzle the world withtheirbrilliance.

  ShewouldbeseeingherfriendAmandainafewhours.Shehadjustbookedher

  flight to Barbados online and would finish her last booking in another 90

  minutes.Theirlastconversationhadstimulatedandexcitedher.JimmyCadogan soundedfascinating.

  Amanda was right. Jackie was attracted to men like Jimmy, rich, powerful, influential.Shepreferredthemolder.Theyusuallyhadmoretoofferthantheir younger counterparts, and were more fun to manipulate. Jackie licked her lips andpouted.ShehadafeelingshewasgoingtohavefunwithJimmy.

  Infactshewasgoingtomakesureofit.

  *****

  Jimmykickedbackinhisofficechair.IthappenedtobelinedwithItalianleather andhelovedthesmell.

  Jimmy was pleased. Everything was going his way, which was the way things should be. Business was great, both legal and non-legal. Jimmy had several businessinterestsoutsideofhislawpractice.Hewasparticularlyexcitedabouta new prospect. It wasn’t even business, it was pleasure. He’d had countless encounters before, but the anticipation of this one was intensely pleasurable.

  Firstofall,Amandawasoutstanding.Sleepingwithherwouldbeanothernotch

  onhisgun,buthehadfuckedbeautifulwomenbeforeanditcouldnottopJade.

  Shewasdrugged,buthedidn’tgiveashit.Thepleasurewasthepoint.

  Phil Ferguson’s wife… and the aftermath… he really fucked Phil up and the Fergusons. They were not going to get that twenty million dollar contract, he was. He had waited nearly three years for the right opportunity to use the ammunitionhehadonPhil.

  The delay in gratification made the conquest all the sweeter. But this time he wouldhavetwoforoneandJackielookedsohot.Hehadhadthreesomesbefore.

  Itwasnothingnewtohimandthegirlslookedgood.

  This case, though, was different. He had a feeling there was something special about Jackie. He sensed something out of the ordinary about her that he could hardlywaittoexplore.

  AmandarefusedtolethimtalktoJackiehimself.

  Initially,itfrustratedhimandhewasbeginningtogetannoyed.Hewasusedto gettinghisownwayallthetime,butAmandawasunflappable.Hethenrealized that the waiting and curiosity heightened his anticipation. Besides, he was not hardup.Hehadoptions.Itwasonlythatthesetwonewflavourshadcaughthis attention and it was time for his tongue to sample them. It wouldn’t be much longer now. They were hooking up tomorrow night. Life was great, and it was goingaccordingtoplan.Jimmy’splan.Ithardlygotbetterthanthis.

  CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE

  Phil and Jade were at home celebrating. They had been celebrating every day sinceJadesharedthegoodnews.Philwasdischargedfromhospital.

  Thesurgeryhadgonewell,buthewasnotallowedtousebothlegs,sohewas

  walkingwiththeassistanceofcrutches.Theofficewasquietandmuchofwhat neededtobedonecouldbehandledfromhome.

  Any running around Jade was more than happy to do. Phil’s father had always told him to be thankful, but growing up privileged as Phil did, he’d never internalized the concept until he experienced his recent trials. He was thankful foreverything:hisfamily,hishealth.ButmostofallhewasthankfulforJade.

  She pulled through for him and she was supportive and demonstrative. He felt blessed. They had talked out their anger and found forgiveness for each other andthoughtherewasstillsomehurt,theyfelttheirrelationshipwasstrongerand closerthanbefore.Theyweresavouringanormallife.

  Philwasconfidentthathecouldrebuildhispractice.

  Some clients even told him that they respected the way he handled himself through it all, and they never doubted his innocence. The words were very reassuring to Phil. If Phil was to have a concern, it was Teddy. Teddy was not satisfied.Herememberedtheirlastconversation.Teddyhadstoppedbytovisit himinthehospitalshortlybeforehewasdischarged.

  “Teddy…I’moffthehook.Thecaseisover.It’sbeendropped.”

  “Youfeelso?”

  “Teddy.WegotwordfromDeanMorgan,theDPP.”

  “Soyoufeelherunningthings?”

  “Teddy.You’rebeingnegative.”Philwasexasperated.

  “Iambeingreal!”

  “Real?”

  “Yeah, real. You feel Jimmy done with you? He get too far with you to turn back.”

  “Teddywhodoyouthinkheis?ItoldyouJadespokewiththeDPP.”

  Teddychuckledsarcastically.

  “Phil,forabrightmanyouarebeingigrant.OrintheQueen’sEnglish,naïve.I toldyoualreadyyouaregoingtohavetotakecareofthatman.Youaregoingto havetogetdirty.”

  PhillookedatTeddyandhisexpressionsaiditall.

  Hecouldnotgodownthatroad.Teddylookedbackathimwithpityinhiseyes.

  “Myfriend,thisconversationisupsettingyou.

  You’vebeenthroughalotandyouneedtorecover.

  Igonnaleaveyounow,butrememberthis.I’myourfriendandIwillhaveyour backwheneveryouareready.Justsaytheword.”

  *****

  Philthoughtabouthisfriend.Hewasagoodman,butsometimeshewasalittle

  paranoid. Still, he knew Teddy had a point. He had not received anything in writingfromDeanMorgan.Jadehadcalledandshewaspromisedearnestlythat

  therewasnothingtoworryabout.Theofficehadbeenoverwhelmedwithwork

  sincehisreturn,particularlyashewascleaninghouseafterrealizinghowcorrupt his deputy was. Phil knew that the wh
eels of the public service moved very slowly. Funny though, it was lightning quick when it handled his prosecution.

  Thattrainofthoughtdisturbedhim.Hetookhismindoffthisandtoldhimself thatfollowingthatpathwouldonlyseektoattractitsfruitionandhewassmarter thanthat.

  *****

  DeanMorganwasamanofmediumheightandlight-browncomplexion.Some

  wouldcallhimfair-skinned,otherswouldcallhim‘red’.Hehadslightlywavy hairwiththick,neatbrowsbelowwhichsatastraightnoseanddarklips.Hewas

  graying a bit at the temples. He sat at his desk. He was still outraged as he digestedtheconversationhehadwithJade.

  Shehadaskedtomeetwithhim,whichheagreedtowithsomereservation.He

  was concerned about the conflict of interest, because her husband was accused of murder. Jade would not have known this because Dean, being a private person, kept it secret. He had also been facing his health issues, issues serious enoughtobelife-threatening.Hehadbeenoutoftouchwithmuchofwhatwas

  happeningattheofficeashefoughtforhislife.Itwasnotbyhisdesignthathe wasoutoftouch,butratherthroughtheeffortsofhisdeputy.Deancheckedin dailyandmanytimesmoreoften,andhisdeputyDecourceyO’Nealegavehim

  the misleading impression that he was being updated truthfully and completely allalong.

  TheDeputyDirectorofPublicProsecutionshadhisownagenda.Hehadhisown

  connectionsandheknewthatDeanwaslikelytobeonhiswayoutbeforelong.

  Hehadtomakesurehekepttherightpeoplehappy.Deanhadthereforebeenled to believe that Phil Ferguson’s case was a straightforward one with

  overwhelming evidence to back it up. When he agreed to meet Jade he was ambivalent.Deangenuinelyadmiredheratseverallevels.

  When she walked in he remembered the more physical attributes he admired.

  Shewalkedintohisofficeandgreetedhimfirstwithasmilethenahugandkiss onthecheek.Shesmeltlikeheaven.Heinstantlyrememberedthosemanydays

  years ago when she was always around, spending time with his sister. There alwaysseemedtobeaninvisiblebarrierlikeaforcefieldthatblockedhisevery attempttoforgeafriendshipwhichwasinnowayintendedtobeplatonic.The truthwas,JadealwaysconsideredVickymorelikeasisterthanabestfriend,and Deanbyextensiontherefore,washerbrother.

  Shehadaskedwithgenuineconcernhowhewas.

  Vickyhadmentionedthathehadbeenunwell.Deanbrusheditoffandfocused

  onthematterwhichbroughtthemtogether.JadetoldhimthatshethoughtPhil wasbeingsetup.ShesaidPhilhadneverbehavedinathreateningmannertoher and he hadn’t had any opportunity to tamper with her car. She didn’t want to prejudice the case by saying too much to him, but she had to do something becausePhil’slifewasatstakeandjusticeoughttoprevail.Shewantedhimto getthefactsbeforeproceedingtotrialandshesaidheshouldspeaktoDetective

  MobertClarke.

  Shepleadedforhimtodoatleastthatbeforegoinganyfurther.

  DeanrecognizedDetectiveClarkeasanoutstandinglawman.Hecalledtospeak

  withhimwhileJadewasthere.HewastoldthatDetectiveClarkewasonstudy

  leaveandhewouldnotbeavailableforthreemonths.Itstruckhimasabitodd.

  He called for Phil Ferguson’s file. He was told it was locked away in Mr.

  O’Neale’sdesk,andforsomereasonO’NealewasunavailableDeanthencalled

  theCentralPoliceStationanddemandedtheirworkingfileonthecase.

  Itwasfaxedtohimshortlyafterwards.Helookeditassoonasitcamethrough.

  Hewasdismayed.Onhisinitialscanofthefileitappearedtobeaverypatchy case.ItwasthenthathetoldJadethatwhathehadwasunacceptableandhewas dropping the case until he could clear matters up. She hugged him and kissed himandleft,obviouslyrelieved.

  Deanwonderedhowthingscouldhavegottensofarofftrackunderhisnose.It wasthenthatawaveofprofounddizzinessandfatiguestruckhim.

  He felt like he was going to black out. It was through sheer willpower that he remained conscious. He was reminded of just how things did get off track. He knew he wouldn’t have many more warnings—his time was near. The phone rang. He assumed it was O’Neale finally returning his calls. He was ready to givehimapieceofhismindwhenherealizedwhowasontheothersideofthe call.

  DeanMorganwaselated.Thiswasthecallhewasprayingfor.Theyhadfounda donor.Hehadanewleaseonlife.Hewasrunningoutoftimeandhewasnot

  readytoleavethisworldandhistwobeautifuldaughters.Thedoctorstoldhim thatwithoutthetransplanthehadthreetosixmonthstolive.Therewasnothing moretheycoulddowithmedication.Hisheartwasjustafloppybag,incapable ofpumpingbloodaroundtosustainlife,farlessphysicalactivity.

  Thathewasaliveandlookedaswellashedidwasatestamenttohiswillpower, indeedthedoctorsthoughthewasawalkingmiracle.Anewheartwouldfixall that,butofcourseheneededamatch.

  Fatehadsmiledonhim.Hewouldlive,providedallwentwellwiththesurgery andhisbodydidnotrejecthisnewheart.Deanknewinhisbonesthathewould

  befine.Hehadnotimetospare.Hehadtobeonthenextflightoutoftheisland toMiami.Itwasamiracleitselfthathehadaccesstoareplacementheart,but his friends and family had somehow found a way to make it happen and keep himalive.Hewouldhavetostartalloveragain,cleaninguphisofficeandthat uselessdeputyofhis,butthatwouldallhavetowait.Hehadtofocusonhimself and getting through what lay ahead. He had no time for calls, except to his secretarytoletherknowthathewasoutofofficeandtohiswifetomeethimin Miami. He just got a text from a friend at the airline. They were holding the flightforhim.Hehadtogonow.

  CHAPTERTHIRTY-FOUR

  Phil and Jade were having dinner at home. It was a candlelight dinner. They wereseatedatasmalltableontheirbalconywhichgavethemawonderfulview of the West Coast. At night the lights illuminating the streets and residences belowwereminiaturisedbythedistancetheyheldfromtheirobservers.Itwasas if Phil and Jade had their personal, twinkling Christmas lights blanketing the landbeneathforanightlyvisualfeastallyearround.Theyhadchosenaridgelot for just that purpose, so they could enjoy many evenings taking in that view together.

  Themoodwassetasithadbeensincethenews.

  Itwasliketheyweredatingforthefirsttimeagain.

  The memory of almost losing each other for eternity was still fresh in their minds.Jadethoughtsheheardaknock,butshewasn’tsure.ShescoldedPhilin her mind. They had a doorbell, but nobody rang it because nobody noticed whereitwaslocated.Phil’sideaforittoblendin,herideaforittostandout.

  Actually she got it twisted. It was her idea to have it blend in. Good thing she heldhertongue.Thereitwasagain.Definitelyaknock.

  “DidyouhearthatPhil?”

  “Yep.I’llgetit.”

  “No.Iwill.”

  Jade got up from the table and checked herself. She had plans for Phil and the evening. She had dressed with that in mind. No point in revealing that to their visitor.Shesecuredherwrap.Shewasbare-skinnedbeneathit.

  Sheopenedthedoor.Thepersonsontheothersidemadehergasp.Theywore

  theuniformofthecountry’sconstabulary.

  “GoodnightMrs.Ferguson.Wehaveasubpoenaforyourhusbandtoappearin

  courtthedayaftertomorrow,inthemorning.Heistostan
dtrialforattempted murder.”

  “But that can’t be, officer. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Dean Morgan, assuredmepersonallythatthecasehadbeendropped.”

  The second officer, who had not yet spoken, seemed a little sympathetic. He steppedupandleanedslightlyforwardashespoketoJade.

  “Mrs. Ferguson, we are following orders here.” His voice dropped as he continued to speak. “I know your husband is a good man. But the fact of the matter is that Mr. Morgan left the office suddenly this afternoon on a medical emergency and the deputy took over and immediately issued these orders. If I wasn’tapaidcivilservant,IwouldtellwhatIthinkaboutthedeputyDPP.

  Myonlyconsolationtoyouiswhatmygrandmotherlikedtotellmeintheface of wrong doings. God don’t like evil. Goodnight Mrs. Ferguson.” He retreated withhispartnerintow.

  Jade returned to the dining room. Her eyes welled up with tears. Phil watched herreturn,andnoticedthedocumentinherhand.Hecouldtellbeforeshespoke.

  “WhenamItoappear?”

  “Dayaftertomorrow.”

  “Thatgivesmeadaytogetalawyer.”Philgotupandwentforhismobile.He hardlyseemedbothered.Jadewasperplexed.

  “You’rehandlingthisbetterthanIam.Areyouokay?”

  “Funnyenough,Iam.IguessIhavebeendesensitized.”

  “Oh…”

  JadewasstillnotsurewhatwasgoingthroughPhil’smind.Shewasconcerned.

  She would have preferred an outburst of some sort. After all, this was outrageous.

  Phil was on the phone with Mitchell Drakes, the lawyer who he had initially askedtorepresenthim.

  They agreed to meet first thing in the morning. Phil hit a number. It speed-dialledTeddy.

  “Hibuddy.Youbusy?Ineedtotalk.”

  “Sure.What’sup?”

  “No.Imeaninperson.”

  “Sure.Youwantmetopass?”

  “No.Iwillbethereintwentyminutes.”Jadepaidcloseattention.

  “WhowereyoutalkingtoPhil?Whereareyougoing?”