Chapter 18
The opening night of the Titanimum’s Lakeside Resort and Hotel had a magical feel. The lights were low as jazz music bellowed from the bandstand throughout the grand ballroom. Sarah and Shereka arrived shortly after the doors were open. When asked by the Maitre d, they presented their reservation for two. “Right this way ladies, Mr. Titanimum has arranged special sitting.” Sashaying in their long flowing black evening attire, they followed closely behind the gentleman.
Within a few minutes of being seated, two other couples joined them. Rosette and Brent Ayers the founders of Ayers Petroleum Products arrived, followed shortly thereafter by Woodrow’s eldest son, Thomas Titanimum and his wife, Barbara. They introduced themselves and became further acquainted.
Woodrow and Bridget neared the table. All eyes turned toward them. Bridget though elderly and frail still had it when it came to dressing for a special occasion. Her professional beauty make over came with an eloquent gown and matching stole. The women at the table looked at her in awe.
As they were being seated, Brent acknowledged her by saying, “Woodrow. You didn’t tell me about your new lady.” Everyone at the table chuckled. Woodrow pretended not to hear the remark.
“Greetings everyone, I’m so glad you all could make it. Bridget and I have looked forward for this day it seems for an eternity.”
The head waiter arrived, after acknowledging the proprietors and special guest he explained the menu for the evening. “Your waitress will be Yolanda Ramirez. She will be with you in a few minutes to take your dinner request.”
Sarah was praised for her great interior designing prowess. “Thank you. It was my pleasure to have provided my service to such a great couple.”
Yolanda suddenly appeared at the table. She took their dinner request. “I will be back with your drinks.”
After dinner was served, it was now time for dancing. Multi colored lights from beneath the dance floor became ablaze. Woodrow asked, “Bridget would you mind if I dance with the lovely Sarah Giltry?”
“That would be fine.”
“Sarah, may I have this dance?”
“I’d be delighted Woody.”
Barbara implied, “Sounds like somebody has had a little too much to drink.” Everybody at the table suddenly became quiet as Woodrow and Sarah took to the floor.
“You have some nerve. How could you have asked me to dance knowing we have been secretly seeing one another?”
Woodrow spoke, “There’s no need to be paranoid. No one suspects anything. Our extramarital affair is safe.”
“You’re right. Bridget doesn’t have a clue.”
On their way back to the table, Kristy tapped Sarah on the shoulder. She looked back and noticed her business associate. “Hi Kristy, you made it after all.”
“I have been here for a while. My date and I are seated with two other gay couples. I must introduce them to you. It seems someone’s ingenious idea has us seated together.”
“Excuse me Woodrow; I’ll meet you back at our table. I’m going to make a slight detour.”
The party continued into the night. Sarah and Shereka ventured outside past the pool area to brightly lighted Lake Titanimum. Shereka’s high heels became stuck in the sand causing her to stumble. An African American male helped her to regain her composure. “Are you alright?”
“Yes. I’m fine.”
“I’m Zen. And you are …?”
“I’m Shereka Oakley. Just call me Sherek. This is my friend, Sarah.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Sarah.”
She replied, “The pleasure is all mine.”
Shereka and Zen then strolled along the paved walkway around the lake before taking a seat on a bench reflecting back on a delightful night.
In the wee hours of the morning, the festive night concluded. Shereka was happy that she met a nice man named Zen and Sarah once again put an exclamation mark on a successful work accomplishment.
Chapter 19
Detectives Noland and Gibbons succeeded in convincing a judge to grant a warrant to have Brisband’s home searched. Several police arrived to serve the warrant the following afternoon. After a thorough search of the house, they took into their possession the firearm they sought. Ballistic test were needed to solidify the witness statement. The results of the testing would not be known for weeks.
In a few months, Brisband and Johnny Davis would be appearing in civil court to face bribery charges.
Johnny had been thinking about Sarah quite often. His marriage was on the mend but still he wanted to see Sarah. Knowing she was in town for a convention, he sent a text message inviting her to meet him at Jerry’s for a happy hour drink. He went to the establishment after work hoping she would take him up on his invitation. Just as he was about to give up waiting for his mistress, he sensed someone standing behind him. Turning around he realized she had indeed showed. “Hi Johnny, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”
“Hi Sarah, don’t worry about it. You were worth the wait.”
“Your big court date will be coming up soon.”
“I know.”
“I must be a fool. I haven’t been linked to the bribery allegation. Why am I here with you? I know this is a risk. If things don’t go your way, you may be put away for a long time behind bars.”
“Things have to work out.”
“But if they don’t Johnny then we do have tonight. Let’s find a way to make tonight ours. Try not to think about Vera. Pretend you are not her husband tonight.”
“That’s not hard to do. She is away visiting her mother for the next two weeks.”
“That’s great. I was thinking about taking a few weeks off from work in Los Angeles. I’ll phone Kristy tomorrow to cover my work while I’m away.”
One hour later, they were at Johnny’s. In Vera’s absence, she was now the lady of the house. Their adulterous affair had risen to a new level of forbidden passion. She had now tainted the bed he shared with his wife. Johnny lived in a secluded community. He had one next door neighbor and a few others along the winding road that led to his home. On one occasion, Johnny thought out loud after they engaged in several sexual acts in succession, “How are we going to quench this incessant need we have for one another?”
“Don’t even ponder that question. I am yours whenever you need me. All you have to do is beat your bribery charge.”
Sarah moved out two days before Vera returned home.
Chapter 20
The ballistic tests were finally completed. The results proved the bullet that had grazed the victim had been fired from the handgun taken from Brisband’s house.
The Police once again converged on Brisband’s home, this time to put him under arrest without bail for the attempted murder of Clyde Jeffreys.
The news spread like a bombshell exploding.
Johnny was relaxing at home in front of the television, when the sitcom he was watching was interrupted by a newsbreak.
The reporter on the scene stated, “I am here at the home of the wealthy construction businessman Harry Brisband. A short time ago, police entered the dwelling after being let in by a female. She appeared to be a young woman perhaps half his age. At this time, we don’t think the woman has any connection with the impending arrest of Mr. Brisband. We’ll have some footage to play in a few seconds. It’s our understanding the warrant served was granted by a judge earlier today. A reliable source tells us that he possessed the weapon that was used in the attempted murder of Clyde Jeffreys. The same source tells us that Brisband is also targeted in an ongoing Federal Investigation. We’ll be sure to provide more information regarding this new finding as information continues to surface. While waiting, we are going to show the footage of when the officers arrived.” The news clip started as a woman emerged from the house as the officers neared.
“Is there something wrong officers?”
“We have a warrant for the arrest of Harry Brisband.”
Shortly after that remark, the officers ente
red the dwelling. The clip ended and the reporter interviewed several people including his neighbors. A few minutes later Brisband exited his house wearing handcuffs. He was being escorted by officers to an awaiting police cruiser.
The news reporter managed to put a microphone in his face, “What can you tell us about your arrest?”
“All can say is that I am innocent. I have nothing more to say.”
“I am Ron Jenks with WWTV News sending you back to Matt De Bois in our live news studio.”
“Thank you, Ron.” Addressing his audience Matt emphasized, “Remember you heard and saw it here first. We just brought to you the arrest of prominent construction contractor, Harry Brisband.”
After the conclusion of the newsbreak, Johnny received a call on his cell phone from Sarah.
“Hi Johnny. Are you alone?”
He tried to speak quietly, “Why are you calling me? My wife is in the next room.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I just wanted to hear your voice.”
“Listen up. Let me tell you about something I saw on the news. You’re never going to believe this Sarah.”
“What am I not going to believe?”
“I watched the police cart off Brisband to jail. They arrested him for the attempted murder of a man.”
“Why would he want to kill anyone? I hope it has nothing to do with anything we’ve done.”
“I hadn’t thought about that way. Do you really think it could?”
“Possibly, but I hope not. After a brief pause, she stated, “He should not expect the option to post bail.”
Johnny went on to say, “In addition, the news report mentioned that Brisband is being targeted in an ongoing Federal Investigation.”
“What other illicit activity could he have possibly been involved?”
“I have to go now. We’ll finish our conversation later. Okay. Bye. I’ve really got to go.”
“Bye Johnny.”
He turned around as Vera finished approaching.
She stated, “You didn’t have to hang up.”
“No. It’s nothing that can’t wait. This is our afternoon. That sexy lingerie you’re wearing is really working a number on my libido.”
“So big boy, what are you going to do about it?” He scooped her up into his arms and then toted her into their bedroom. Vera noticed he had become a love beast between the sheets. Sarah had actually spiced of their love life. Physically Johnny would make love to Vera, but in his mind, he would have sex with Sarah.
Chapter 21
Lucinda informed David, “We have been invited to Amanda’s wedding.”
“Who’s Amanda?”
“She’s Sarah’s sister that lives in San Francisco.”
“Okay, I remember her very well.”
“Her fiancé Damien Richardson is a certified public accountant.”
“The wedding is going to be held in Los Angeles at an upscale retreat. I hope you can take time off from work so we can attend.”
“Lucinda, I think you should go alone.”
“Why, David? Why should I go alone? Why can’t my husband attend with me?”
The people at her wedding probably will be on a different social economic level. You will fit in nice. Just go without me.
“You should not feel that way.”
“Since you are going to be a lawyer, you would be acceptable to them.”
“David that has to be the most asinine thing I have ever heard.”
“I don’t expect you to understand Lucinda.”
The Clyde Jeffreys’ attempted murder court case in Dallas started the same week that Lucinda left to attend the wedding in Los Angeles. The prosecution called to the stand a ballistics expert that showed the striations on the bullet retrieved from the victim matched the markings in the chamber of the gun confiscated from Brisband’s home. Brisband would later contend that he must have inadvertently left his house open allowing someone to enter. Since he hadn’t bothered to fix a broken lock on his gun display, he believed someone took the weapon, attempted the murder, and then returned the gun.
During the same week of the court case, an attempt was made on the life of Jeffreys’ wife, Millicent. She was driving home late one night after stopping at a traffic light when her car suddenly was rear ended. She looked in the rearview mirror noticing the perpetrator wearing a mask that drooped down upon his shoulders. He backed up his car and then rammed her car again. The light changed to green, she sped away being followed closely by the assailant. After pulling to the side of her car, he used his vehicle to force her onto the soft shoulder of the road. Millicent lost control of her vehicle as she approached a bridge. She ran off the road, careened down a canal embankment before hitting a tree which stopped the car short of the water, as smoke emanated from its hood. The guy pulled his car to the side of the road. Seconds later, a police officer turned on his lights as he came upon the scene. The offender peeled away after firing a shot at the officer exiting his vehicle. The officer called for backup in apprehending the aggressor. After hearing a cry for help, he rushed to rescue Millicent. He managed to pull her from the car moments prior to the car becoming engulfed in flames. The officer then summoned paramedics to the scene. While he was waiting, an officer spotted the reported vehicle and was in hot pursuit. He radios ahead allowing another officer to deploy stop sticks in the road. The assailant swerved his car to avoid hitting one of them. It became airborne before spiraling out of control sideways. After it flipped, it came to rest upside down. The guy was taken into custody after being treated at a local hospital.
The Judge upon getting news of the incident put a temporary halt on the court proceedings. The thwarted plan had been orchestrated to prove Brisband’s innocence. Ginger Ivey an extremely light skin African American woman about 6 feet 3 inches tall, wearing a halter top, and a matching metallic black mini skirt, met with a man to carry out the ordeal. She was the woman at Brisband’s house on the day of his arrest. The deal went down in a secluded spot within a local cemetery. She had exited her vehicle and had been waiting. Nearly an hour went by, after glancing at her watch, she concluded that he probably would not show. A moment later, a noise could be heard in the darkness of the night. Ginger aimed her semi automatic weapon as she swiftly turned around. A male voice screamed out, “Don’t shoot lady! Don’t shoot!” She fired a warning shot. He threw his hands up in the air. “I said don’t shoot. I am Beaumont. I am here to meet with you. She outlined the plan to scare Millicent and provided him with $25,000.00 cash. He was promised another $25,000.00 upon job completion.
At the wedding in Los Angeles, Vincent noticed Lucinda sitting in the main meeting hall of the re-treat looking a little down.
“May I join you?”
“What are you doing here Vincent?”
“I was invited. Where’s your husband?”
“He is back in Dallas. I couldn’t convince him to come.”
“Maybe I can fill in for him this weekend. I mean we do have a history.” Lucinda looked at him without saying a word, seconds later, she let loose blushing uncontrollably.
The wedding march processional commenced. Sergeant Giltry walked his daughter down the isle as her mother Serena watched their every step. At the alter Amanda and her groom Damien Richardson exchanged vows expressing their love in unrehearsed words. The ceremony was breathtaking. The occasion was sealed with an impassioned kiss.
Amanda called her sister aside in the grand ballroom at the reception stating, “I believe you are guilty.”
Sarah responded angrily, “You believe I am guilty of …?”
“I believe you were involved with the murder of Jared.”
“As I told you before I am innocent. I could have never done anything to hurt my husband.”
“Also, I believe you are connected to the bribery of Councilman Johnny Davis.”
“Amanda this is your special day. This should be a joyous day for you. Try thinking happy thoughts.”
Several hours passed, the newlyw
eds boarded a flight to their reserved beachside honeymoon accommodation in Cancun, Mexico.
The morning after the wedding, Lucinda awoke to a lonely hotel room.
She phoned her lawyer friend. “Wake up Vincent.”
He said, “Who is this?”
She giggled and laughed into the phone.
Vincent repeated himself. “Who is this?”
“It’s Lucinda.”
“I didn’t expect to be awakened by an angel.”
“I know. If you are not careful, your flattery might get you everything… ”
“Oh. I concur. How about joining me for breakfast? There is a nice little restaurant down the way. I could use a nice cup of cappuccino.”
“Me too, I’ll meet you there in an hour.”
When he arrived at the restaurant, he parked next to her car. She gently smiled as he exited his vehicle. After being seated in the restaurant, Lucinda mentioned needing help with her classes. He agreed to take her under his tutelage.
Chapter 22
At the start of a new week, David went to pick up Lucinda from the airport. He arrived at the concourse where she awaited. After parking his car, David rushed over greeting her with a kiss.
“I know you are happy to be back.”
“Why wouldn’t I be happy?”
“Why wouldn’t you? Let me take your bags.” On the way home, she fell asleep. The ride went quickly.
“Wake up Lucinda, we are home.”
She opened her eyes glancing at David with a look of guilt. Sleepily exiting the vehicle she stumbled into the house.
As he brought in the luggage, he noticed Lucinda emerging from the kitchen.
“I put on a pot of coffee. The trip was long and boring.”
“So tell me about the wedding.”
“What is there to tell? Two people who have known each other for a long time decided to make their relationship legal.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I forgot you did not know. The two of them had been living in sin for the last three years. Her mother according to Sarah had been pressuring Amanda to get married for the longest. She finally convinced Mr. Damien Richardson to ask for her hand to appease her family members.”
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