This time Quillen was short in his answer. “I take the Fifth.”
“And you also arranged for the murders of at least twenty other people who worked for your bank clients. They paid you the insurance proceeds under dead peasant policies you required them to place on their employees.”
“Fifth, sir.”
By now the audience and jury had fallen silent as they watched a drama they never anticipated.
“Last, you attempted to murder both Colby Stripling, this lady sitting here on the first row, and even me when you saw how this trial was going.”
“Fifth.”
“And every single one of these murders and attempted murders were done by the man seated in the back, one Mike Hawkins, all under your direct order.”
“Fifth.”
Again the back door opened. This time Dwayne Allison was wheeled into the courtroom by his brother, Don. A nurse followed close behind. He had an oxygen tank attached to the back of his wheelchair and a nasal cannula feeding the oxygen into his lungs.
“Your Honor,” Jack said, “Mr. Allison is in the courtroom. As you can see, he’s been severely injured, but wants to testify. May we excuse this witness briefly while I re-call Mr. Allison?”
“You may, Mr. Bryant.”
Don wheeled his brother to the front of the witness stand while Quillen took a seat beside his lawyer.
“Your Honor, Mr. Allison cannot speak at this time. I request permission for his answers to be written out and marked as exhibits for the record.”
“Granted, Mr. Bryant.”
“Mr. Allison, even though you cannot talk, can you understand my questions?”
“Yes,” he wrote.
“What happened to you?”
“I was shot outside the courthouse after trial two days ago. The bullet punctured my lung. I should be okay in a week or two.”
“Who did this to you?”
“I’ve read the confession of that man in the back of the courtroom, Mr. Hawkins. He admits to doing it under the orders of Beauregard Quillen.” As he wrote, he pointed a trembling finger at Quillen.
“Had Mr. Quillen previously threatened you?”
“We had an angry confrontation in the men’s room on this floor. Ten minutes later I was shot.”
“That’s enough,” the judge interrupted. “Mr. Leyton and Mr. Bryant, come with me to my chambers. Mr. Allison, you’re welcome to leave if you need to.”
The judge shut the door to his chambers and took off his robe. “Have a seat.”
“Look, Joe Sherrod just explained what has occurred. I’ve also read a transcript of Hawkins’s confession that Joe had completed just before we convened this morning. This case has become small potatoes in the overall scheme of things. It needs to be settled. Ace, what will your client be willing to pay?”
Leyton responded. “I’ve talked to Mr. Allison. He’ll pay the $400,000 that he got from the insurance company.”
“Not enough, Judge. I’d rather take a verdict. The jury is going to give me at least three times that much, likely a lot more.”
The judge rose from his chair and walked around to sit on his desk in front of Bryant. “Look, Jack, you and I have had our disagreements, but you’ve done a helluva job for your client. Along the way you solved crimes in three states.”
Jack nodded his head at the compliment, but his arms remained folded.
“Here’s the bottom line,” Judge McDowell continued. “You might get a bigger verdict, but I’m not going to let anything more than treble damages stand. I’m telling you that now, and, by the way, if I reduce it to treble damages, the appellate court will uphold my decision in a New York minute. Dammit, Jack, Allison didn’t kill Willie Davis. Your client is being compensated beyond her wildest dreams.”
Jack thought about what the judge said and concluded he was right. “I want $400,000 in actual damages and then treble it. That’ll make $1,600,000. I’ll wave my attorneys fees.”
“Jack, be reasonable. It’s a compromise,” the judge almost pleaded.
“Sorry, Judge, it’s non-negotiable.”
McDowell turned to Leyton. “What do you say, Ace?
Leyton walked to the window and stared out. When he turned, he said, “Allison will need a payout. “$400,000 up front and then $100,000 a month thereafter. I’m pretty sure he can do that.”
McDowell beamed as Jack said, “Deal” and stuck out his hand to Leyton.
The door to the chambers opened and the lawyers came out, followed by the judge. The entire courtroom rose.
“Keep your seats. This won’t take long.” He turned to the jury. “Ladies and gentlemen, this case has been settled. You are excused. You may or may not choose to talk to the lawyers and reporters. That is your prerogative.” McDowell turned to Quillen. “Mr. Quillen, District Attorney Joe Sherrod is walking up behind you. You are remanded to his custody. I suspect charges will be filed against you within twenty-four hours. Court is adjourned.”
Joe had the officers handcuff Quillen and lead him away. After the jury was gone, he said, “Judge, I’m obviously not a part of this case, but I’d like to put something on the record.”
McDowell nodded his agreement.
“The State of Texas hereby dismisses all criminal charges against Colby Stripling, and I personally apologize to her for what she’s been through.”
Standing beside Jack, Colby smiled as tears rolled down her cheeks.
When Jack and his team were the only ones left in the courtroom, June asked, “Mr. Bryant, I’m not sure I understand what all has just happened.”
“Ms. Davis, Mr. Allison has agreed to pay $1,600,000 in settlement. It’s all yours. I’m not taking a fee.”
“Oh my Lord,” June said as she slumped into a chair. “Thank you, Mr. Bryant. And my kids and grandkids thank you.”
“Well, I will require one small fee. I want a lifetime supply of vegetables from your garden.”
90
There was a quiet knock on the hospital door.
“Come in,” Allison said in a raspy voice.
Uncertain what she should do, Colby stopped at the foot of the bed. “I, I just came by to see how you were doing, Mr. Allison.”
Allison coughed. “Sorry. They just got that tube out last night, and I’m still pretty hoarse. Do me a favor and push that button on the bed control. I want to sit up a little.”
Colby hesitated and then did as he requested.
When he was sitting upright, Allison held out his hand and Colby took it. “I’m sorry, Colby. I started all of this in motion, and it almost caused your death.”
“It’s okay, now, Mr. Allison. I always told Jack that I didn’t believe you were trying to kill me or anyone else.”
“Still, I’ve got to take some responsibility. I thought I was being a really sharp businessman when I took out all those policies. Who would ever have thought it would lead to this? But then I thought I knew Beau Quillen. Turned out I knew the façade, not the real man. Are you going to be okay?”
Colby sat on the side of his bed. “I’m going to be fine now.”
Allison turned to face her. “Hey, how about this. I’ve been thinking a lot in the past couple of days. I’ve decided I’m not going to run for mayor. I need to focus all my time on re-building Allison Southwest. My first step is to cancel all of those policies. I could use a really good finance manager. I’m talking about over the whole company.”
Colby smiled. “I’m flattered, Mr. Allison. I really am. Only, I have a sense that the real estate market is coming back, and I like being my own boss.” She bent over and kissed him on the forehead and left the room.
Joe Sherrod knocked on the RV door and entered without an invitation.
Jack was at his desk in the back. “Joe, come on in. You need a little free legal advice?”
Joe took a seat in one of the client chairs across from Jack. “Not today. However, if you ever want a job as one of my detectives, just say the word.”
Jack
shook his head. “My detective days are behind me. I’m content to be a pro bono lawyer. Turns out I like helping folks who can’t help themselves.”
“Speaking of your pro bono clients, how’s June doing?”
Jack smiled at the thought. “She’s taken a chunk of that first payment from Allison and has donated it to her church. They’re building a new sanctuary, named in honor of Willie. What’s happened to Hawk and Quillen?”
“Quillen’s trial is in three months. If Hawk testifies like his confession, he’ll get life. I’m prosecuting Quillen, and I expect him to fry. By the way, it’s about time you, Colby and J.D. join my family for dinner. My son still wants to meet J.D.”
Jack and Colby had just returned from the sixth game of the season. J.D. had won his starting place and scored three touchdowns. Although there was coolness in the autumn air, they were seated on the patio, watching the sun set. As day turned to evening, Jack turned to Colby and asked, “Is it okay if we start dating, now?”
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