"‘What a story! But I have something to show you. This is my FBI badge. I am with the FBI. When you landed in my office, I knew it might be the big break I was looking for ten years,’ said Mr. Stevenson.
"‘What’s next?’ asked Eva.
"‘That depends on what the diary and your records prove,’ said Mr. Stevenson.
"‘Okay, why was Eddie beating on you?’ asked Mr. Stevenson.
"‘He went to my apartment when I was not home. He pays the rent, therefore he has a key. I forgot and left a picture of my mother and father lying on my bed. That is how he figured out who I really was. The daughter of the man he killed,’ said Eva.
‘He was sitting in the living room in the dark with a drink in his hand when I entered the apartment. As I entered the doorway, he yelled out: you fucking bitch! I knew it was over. He asked me to verify who I really was and I told him. I also told him he was under arrest and that I was an FBI agent. He took his fist and socked me in the face and started kicking me around. He was shouting, ’You will never live to see me go to jail, you bitch!’ After a few minutes of his abuse, I looked on the end of table and realized he had left his gun sitting on the table. With both eyes almost shut, I reached over and grabbed his gun and shot him several times in the head. And that is how it happened.’
"‘Did you tell anyone else about what really happened?’ asked Mr. Stevenson.
"‘No,’ responded Eva.
"‘Good. If you do, we will both be dead before the sun sets today.
"’Let’s get the records and take them to the bank and put them in my safe deposit box. I will give you a key in case something happens to me,’ said Mr. Stevenson.
“After they got the records, Eva called Nick and asked him if she could stay with him for a while,” said Lola.
“Oh boy, what a story! Let’s see. Nick is your uncle, right?” asked Ted.
“That’s right, and much later he married Eva. So she became my aunt. The FBI had the case transferred out of state. They knew that many of the officials in Louisiana were corrupt and could not be trusted,” said Lola.
"‘Nate and Zola were not in any of my records. They have only recently moved to New Orleans. Lucky for them that they were still living in Harrisonville when most of the corruption was taking place,’ said Eva.
"‘Nate and his wife dodged the bullet here but that family has been under investigation for many years. During the time when the father Buddy was living, he was indicted for murder but the main witness, who was a state senator, died suddenly. Charges were dropped and the case was closed. But that family has a long history of illegal activities. That generation is gone but the next generation was trained to be just like the parents. Nick is the only honest one to ever be born in that bloodline. Even the great-grandfather had criminal genes,’ said Mr. Stevenson.
“Ella was so upset over Eddie being murdered by this little bitch that she put a contract out on her. Ella did not know that the FBI was involved. She called in her big guns to find out more about Eva,” said Lola.
"‘I want her investigated,’ said Ella as she spoke to the chief of police. ‘I do not have a good feeling about her. She’s got more going for her than just a pretty face. If I have anything to do with it, that face will not be pretty for much longer. You have her fingerprints. Put them through the system and see what comes up.’
"‘Ella, I put her fingerprints in the system and it said ’classified.’ Something is wrong. She is working for some government agency,’ said Chief Wise.
"‘Do you have any connections in DC that could find out who she is?’ asked Ella.
"‘I have one associate, but she would want to be paid a lot of money. At least $10,000 would be her asking price. If she got caught, it would mean jail time for her. Plus, I want $5,000 for my services. Everything must be in cash,’ said the chief.
"‘Get the information and I will pay your fees,’ said Ella.
"Ella called in her circle of associates and told the situation. ‘Nate and Zola, I want you to get out of the business. We are in for some hard times to come. I don’t know all the details but it is not good. You are not involved in our business here in New Orleans and I want my grandchildren to grow up with a father and mother who are respected by the community for good works. So this is your last day of being involved with my enterprises,’ said Ella.
“Zola was more like her mother than her father. She and Nate agreed to leave the business but both had plans to return one day,” said Lola.
“Lola, Nate and Zola were your mother and father and they were truly corrupt parents,” said Ted.
“Yes, now you are beginning to understand my defense,” responded Lola.
“The FBI came and kept a low profile because they wanted to get the biggies at the top of the corruption ring. They started with Chief Wise. Agent Stevenson was given a team and he selected Eva to be a part of the team,” said Lola.
"‘Chief Wise, if you cooperate with the FBI, you will be given full immunity and will be allowed to retire with a full pension. Do you understand that this situation is serious?’ said Agent Stevenson.
"Without hesitation, the chief said, ‘You will have my complete cooperation.’
“The chief was a very greedy man and wanted the $5,000 that was agreed upon with Ella. That day, he went to see Ella and gave her an envelope with a detailed report on Eva. Even the changing of her name and her family history was included,” said Lola.
"Chief Wise understood Ella’s mentality and as he entered into the club, he pulled out his gun. ‘Ella, here is the information you wanted. Now give me my money,’ said the chief.
"She handed the chief an envelope with the money and after he took it, he pointed his gun at Ella, saying, ‘I read the report. Eva is an FBI agent. This is the end of our relationship. Don’t try to contact me about anything. I will be testifying for the FBI on your massive organization. You can expect to go to jail for life. I suggest that you leave the States today or be arrested tomorrow. They have all the proof necessary to lock you up. Eva kept a diary and has her father’s detailed records. I was told this by a close associate. Leave now before it is too late,’ said Chief Wise.
"Ella sat quietly by herself and then started talking out loud, ’I will not die in jail. I will die on my own terms. First I need to tell Zola where all my money is located. The Feds will take all the nightclubs and houses but they will not get my cash.
"‘Next, I will send the information to Zola in the mail and after that, I will write my own obituary. In my obituary, I will give honor to my mother, who was black, and my father, who was French. My father and mother loved each other until they died. Eddie and I loved our families and helped them when they needed it,’ said Ella as she outlined her course of action out loud.
"‘After I finish my paperwork, I will call my hairdresser. I want my hair, my makeup, fingernails, and toenails to look fantastic. I will put on my dress for the wake. Without telling anyone anything, after dinner I will have my favorite cup of tea and lace it with arsenic. I will lie in my bed and look like a porcelain doll baby when they find me,’ thought Ella.
“Her hair was done, nails painted, makeup perfect, and after eating her favorite meal, she had her tea. That was the end of Eddie and Ella. My mother and father were standing by to take over,” said Lola.
“Did anyone go to jail?” asked Ted.
"Oh yes, the FBI took the corruption case out of state. The next day, Ella’s body was found by the maid. The next day, a large group of FBI agents dissented on New Orleans and broke down into small groups. The FBI was determined to send a message that the days of deep-rooted corruption was over.
“Every crook that was listed in Eva’s notes and her father’s records were rounded up. There so many that they had to take them to a special location for arraignment. Based on who they were, some were given limited immunity. This corruption case lasted for about five years. The FBI had a hundred percent conviction rate,” said Lola.
"Eva beca
me friends with Mr. Stevenson and one night at dinner, he said, ’My family has a strange past too. As of tonight, I want you to call me Eric. My father divorced my mother, when I was four years old, for another woman that he was in love with. I was born in Harrisonville, NC, and they lived in Harrisonville. After the divorce, my mother moved to New Orleans for a new start. As a kid growing up, my father never visited me or my mother. He would send child support on time and on my birthday and Christmas, a card with a large sum of money enclosed.
"’My mother changed my last name and her last name back to her maiden name.
"‘The return address for my father was a town in California. In fact, he owned a large vineyard in southern California. My father and his wife were multi-millionaires. I went to visit them but never told my mother. I stopped in to visit their winery and taste their wines. His wife’s name was Candee and his name was Frank. Located on the vineyard was a large bed and breakfast. I spent two nights there and Candee and Frank paid a lot of attention to me, but I could not bring myself to tell them who I was,’ said Eric.
"‘They were living in California for a reason and I didn’t want to cause them harm by bringing back their past. In those few days, we became good friends and I promised to stay in touch with them. That was the last time I saw them. My cards and money continued to come. My father paid my tuition fee for all my schooling, even law school. I was hoping that he would come to my graduation ceremonies but that did not happen. While at the vineyard, I took plenty of pictures. One strange thing that struck me was that they never talked about their family. Therefore, I didn’t talk about my family either,’ said Eric.
"‘Yesterday, I got a telegram from my father’s lawyer to call him right away. There was a family emergency. I called and he gave me the bad news. Candee and my father were both killed in a car accident by a drunk driver. I needed to come to California as soon as possible. I will be leaving in the morning and will be there until I settle my father’s affairs,’ said Eric.
"‘Would you like for me to go with you, Eric?’ asked Eva.
"‘No, this something I need to do on my own,’ said Eric.
“Now that the New Orleans corruption cases were over, my mother and father were kept busy raising my brother and me. We were cute kids and my Uncle Nick gave my brother a nickname. His nickname was Toto. How he came up with that name always puzzled me. My brother’s real name was Kevin. His nickname stuck with him and everyone called him Toto,” said Lola.
“We lived just outside of New Orleans in a big white house located on thirty-five acres. The house was huge with seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, a large living room, a large kitchen, a breakfast room, a formal dining room, and a large wraparound porch. The basement had three levels. My father called it a split-level basement. The backyard had a swimming pool, a playground, a picnic grove, a bar, and a large pavilion for barbeque. My father loved his old country club in Harrisonville. It was missed by my mother and father. Because he wanted to be back in the business in some fashion, he turned the backyard into a country club. He named it Harrisonville Country Club,” said Lola.
“Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon, our country club was jumping. All the neighbors that wanted to party came to our home. My mother and her cousins would cook all day on Thursday for the weekend. At our home, we had a farm with all kinds of animals. If they were cooking chickens, she would go get a half dozen of chickens and kill them. Her cousins would help her prepare the chickens and all the side dishes and desserts. It was wonderful to see my parents enjoying themselves,” said Lola.
“From Friday to Sunday, guests at the club were white and black. Spook Jackson, who lived on the farm next door, was a regular. He could play the piano by ear. Toto would sit with him and watch him play and sing. My mother was also good at playing by ear and singing. I guess I was a chip off the old block because I also had my mother’s talents,” said Lola.
"My father loved to drink, mostly beer, but he also made moonshine that was the favorite drink. The guests did not have to buy any food but were expected to bring Papa some beer. If beer ran out, the guests understood that they needed go get some more.
“My mother’s cousin opened up a bar with a restaurant in town. He asked my mother to work for him. She worked only on Sunday nights, singing her favorite songs. The patrons loved her. Toto was very talented and Mom would take Toto with her. He could dance, sing, and play the piano and it got the crowd going. He was only about seven years old but was cute as a button. She made him a tux of all white silk with a black bowtie, white top hat, and white patent leather shoes. He was cool. His stage was the countertop of the bar,” said Lola.
“What ever happened to Eric, Lola?” asked Ted.
"Eric flew out the next day to California and went straight to the vineyard. To his surprise, there was another relative that greeted him at the door. He said, ‘You must be Eric, my older brother.’
"‘I am Eric, but who did you say you were?’ responded Eric.
"‘Your brother,’ replied the man.
"‘My name is Robert,’ said his brother.
"‘I just found out about you today. They kept you a secret,’ replied Robert.
"‘They kept both of us a secret,’ said Eric.
"‘Our parents’ law firm is going to read the will and a letter addressed to both of us,’ said Robert.
"‘May I have everyone’s attention? The order of business today is to read a letter in private to Wright’s two sons. After that, the will can be read,’ said the executor. ‘But before I get started, I’d like to say a few words about my true friends, Frank and Candee,’ said the executor.
"‘I was the first person that they met when they landed in California some thirty years ago. I helped them with the purchasing of the vineyard. They employed many workers and gave them fair wages. On birthdays and holidays, all employees were given bonuses. They were active members of our church. I know they had a past but we have a forgiving savior in Jesus Christ. Frank and Candee were born-again Christians. They were loved by all that knew them. Thank you,’ said the executor.
"‘I want to tell you two that your parents were my best friends. I don’t know what is in this letter. Therefore, I am going to leave the room while you two read the letter together. This letter is for you only. What you read in the letter must stay in this room. That is what your parents wanted. They needed to tell you something so that you didn’t make the same mistakes that they made. Candee told me that she didn’t want that life for you two. So, read the letter and let me know when you are done,’ said the executor.
"Eric said, ‘After this is over, let’s go somewhere so we can talk.’
"‘That’s okay with me,’ responded Robert. ‘My brother, call me Bobby,’ he said.
"Eric was given the letter and he started reading.
"’To my two sons, we are very proud of the two of you. We have followed both careers. Eric is a respected lawyer with his own firm. Bobby is a federal prosecutor in the State of Louisiana. He has successfully prosecuted many cases and won. He has never lost a case.
"‘Candee and I have a past that we are not proud of. We were criminals as young adults. We had a few options but we chose the worst ones. We became very wealthy off of other people’s misery. Over the past thirty years, we have lived everyday trying to make others’ lives better. We believe God has forgiven us. May God bless both of you!
"’We pray that the two of you become best friends. We know we robbed the two of you of many years of joy you could have experienced together. Because of our horrible past, we did not want your life affected by our sins. Now that we have crossed over, it is time for the two of you to form a bond that will allow you to grow spiritually and mentally.
"‘Don’t go back and try to reconstruct our past. It will only depress you. Take your inheritance and move forward. Your inheritance is all honest money. We gave away the bad money years ago, to the church and the poor. "’We have loved both of you always, your mom and dad.’<
br />
"‘What do you think, Eric?’ asked Bobby.
"‘My emotions are mixed. I have always loved him, even at a distance. You were fortunate to have a mother and a father all your life. My mother was a good mother, so I am blessed with those memories. I did come to California and looked them up. I stayed at their bed and breakfast. They were so nice to me that I did not have the heart to tell them who I was. I was supposed to stay in touch but I felt that there was a reason for their absence from my life. I realized it was not me but them. I also went to Harrisonville and asked around about them. Many of the old-timers remembered them and told me some wild stories. I checked some of the court records but there was not much available. Based on the interviews with the older residents, our parents were gangsters. I would just like to let it go. What happened in Harrisonville should die in Harrisonville,’ said Eric.
"‘I agree and I would like for you to know that they knew who you were. I found a picture years ago of you at your high school graduation. He kept it in his Bible. I asked my mother who the boy was in the picture and she said: someone that you will love and get to know some day,’ said Bobby.
"‘I believe they decided years ago that their past was not going to interfere with our lives. They left all their best friends behind and never looked back or returned,’ said Eric.
“At the reading of the will, the executor stared at it. It was amazing how much wealth they had accumulated throughout the years. ‘The Wrights left $5,000.00 per person to everyone who is currently working for them. A college fund will be set up for migrant workers’ children to go to college. The church will receive ten percent of their total assets. The administrative staff is to receive $100,000 each. The balance will be divided between our two sons, Eric and Robert. Please use your gifts wisely to make better your lives and that of others. That is what your parents wanted for you,’ said the executor.”‘In conclusion, Frank and Candee want to be cremated and don’t want to have any type of memorial. They want their ashes to be sprinkled around the graves of their best friends from Harrisonville. They are Buddy Miller, Redd Harrison, and Nina Harrison. I believe they are all in the same graveyard,’ said the executor.
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