Guilty! The Trials of Phil Ferguson

by Sean Russell

  andtheircommitments.Anditwasaparticularlysorepointforhertofallshort financially.Herparents’paststruggleshauntedher.

  SheconvincedPhilthatnorealharmwasdoneandthateveryonewasdrinking

  andhavingagoodtime.Thingsjustwentalittletoofar,andshesawsomething she wasn’t prepared to see. Phil resolved his internal conflict by writing an articleinthe Daily Nationontheresponsibilitiesofmaintainingsoundethicsas an attorney. It was well-written and generally well received, even by the head manhimself,Jimmy.

  Eitherhemissedthepointorhedidn’tcare.

  Notlongafterthat,Philhadseveralweeksoflongofficehourswithaprocession ofimpossibledeadlines.

  The funny upside was that Phil had significantly more billable hours. It meant moremoneyforhimandthefirm.

  CHAPTERSIX

  TherewassucharacketatherfrontdoorthatMickeythoughttheBlackClothes Policehadcometovisit.Butthensheheardachild’svoice.Itsoundedfamiliar.

  Sheopenedthedoorandgasped.

  It was Amanda. What was she doing outside the door at 2:00 a.m. in a blood-splatteredshirtandapanty?

  ShewassodazedbyAmanda’sappearancethatforamomentshehadstopped

  hearing.Mickey’shearingreturnedandshecouldhearAmandascreaming.She

  decipheredthewords.

  “IkillTanko!!Lordhelpme!!IkillAuntMillieman!

  IkillTanko!”

  “Whatnonsenseyousayinggirl?Youmad?AuntMillieisaChristian.Sheent

  gotnoman!!”Amandawasnowsobbingandshaking.

  “Whoboyinterferewithyou?Tellme,Iwouldbus’

  hescunt!”

  Amandafoundthestrengthtotalkagain.

  “AuntMilliemanTankotriedtorapeme!Istabhewithascissors.Thepolice gonnacomeformeandputmeinjail!”

  Mickey read the sincerity in Amanda’s eyes. The child believed what she was saying,butclearlyshewasconfused,clearlyshewasinshock.

  Aunt Millie had named Mickey the pariah of the village because of her sinful ways.“LustistheworstsinandMickeywillburninhell,”wereAuntMillie’s words.No,thatwomancouldnothaveaman.Besides,thereweremorepressing

  matterstobedealtwith.

  TheshockedlittlegirlneededattentionandMickeywasgoingtotakecareofher bestfriend’sdaughter.

  Mickey broke into action. First she took Amanda into the bathroom where she tookoffthebloodyclothesanddisposedofthem.Thenshebathedthepoorgirl, scrubbing her from head to toe. She dried her off and dressed her in a nightie.

  Amandacalmedvisiblyasshewasbeingpamperedbythemostevilwomanin

  Georgetown, at least according to Aunt Millie. She was still trembling and her eyes kept darting towards the door as if she expected Tanko or the police to comeburstinginatanymoment.

  Mickey put her to bed. This did not help. Amanda was haunted by her recent ordeal.Mickeyresortedtoashotofbrandy.Thatdidthetrick,butMickeyhadto putitinsometeashemadeforAmanda.Amandarefusedtoaccepttheshotglass Mickeyhadpresentedtoher.Shehatedthesmellofalcohol.Shedrankthetea, stoppedshivering,andwentstraighttosleep.

  Mickey considered what had just happened. It would have jolted a normal personandleftthemdisturbed.However,Mickeyhadbeenthroughtoomuchfor

  thislittledramatoputheroff.ShewasconcernedforAmanda.Shewasagood girlandshewasherbestfriend’sdaughter.Shewouldmakesuretohelpher.She didnotwanthertosufferhermotherCindy’sfate.Cindywasaprofessional,a business woman like Mickey, but somewhere along the line she had become carelessandAIDStookherlife.

  MickeycouldnotkeepAmandaaround.Shewasbadforbusiness.Shewouldbe

  intheway.Worseyet,someofhercustomersweresuretoacceptAmandaasa

  bonus without any indication of an offering from Mickey. She would have to takeafewdaysofftolookafterthisgirl.Besides,shewasduealittlevacation.

  After all, thriving in the world’s oldest profession was hard work. She gave it some more thought. Then she knew what she had to do. Tanko or Tanka or what’shis-namewasgoingtowantblood.Hewasnotgoingtogotothepolice,

  buthewasgoingtomakesurehegothissatisfaction,whichmeantnothinggood forAmanda.

  MickeywouldtakeAmandaoutofthecountry.

  ShewouldtakehertoBarbados.Shehadacoupleofcontactsthereandshewas sure she would find a place for her. Anywhere in that country was safer than Guyanaforthatchild.Onapersonalnote,MickeydidnotconsiderTankotobea threat.Hewouldbeafooltotouchher,consideringherclientbase.Ifhedared

  touch her, he would be a missing person for a very long time in a very short time.

  Mickeysmiled.ItwouldbenicetovisitBarbados.

  Shealwayshadfunthere.ShewouldgetAmandaapassportandaticketandfly outwithherthedayaftertomorrow.Mickeyknewtherewerewaystodothings

  andsheknewwhichbuttonstopress.Theywererightthereinheriphone.She

  tookadoubleshotofbrandy,andsoonshewasoutcold.

  CHAPTERSEVEN

  Jade was not looking forward to her meeting with Jimmy. He was just creepy andshedidnotwanttobeassociatedwithhim.WhatdidPhilgethimselfinto?

  Shehadtofindout.Itwasanunseasonablycoolnight,darkwithnomoonand

  few stars to illuminate the sky. The foreboding atmosphere presented by the weather only served to unsettle her. She spotted Jimmy sitting by the bar. Not that she could miss him, he was waving at her, his gold Cartier making itself evident. Her stomach churned but she willed herself to guts it up. She put a confidentfaceon.Atleastwherehesatwaswelllitandinviting.

  She walked over to him. He offered her a seat. The waiter came over as if on cue.Jimmyofferedheradrinkandthewaitertookherorderandretreated.

  “Solet’shaveit,let’shavealook.”

  “My, we’re in a hurry.” Jimmy raised his eyebrows and leaned back. Then he smiled. “Goodnight, Jade.” Jade decided to be civil. There was no point in aggravatingtheman.Hehadwhatshewanted,andhewasclearlyinthemood

  forgames.Shewasgoingtohavetoplayifshehopedtogetwhatshecamefor.

  Jadeknewhowtoplayhardandshewaspreparedtoplayashardassheneeded.

  “Goodnight Jimmy. You look fresh after having such a long day, especially at your age.” She smiled at him just a little tauntingly. Jimmy was absolutely unfazed.

  “It’sallinthemind.IfeelmoreenergeticnowthanwhenIwasinmythirties.I runfivemileseverydayandspendonehourinthegym.Ihavethemoneyand

  thetimetobeashealthyandasfitasIwanttobe.”Heleanedforwardandgazed intoJade’seyes.“Ihavelotsofenergytospare.”

  Jadeheldhisgaze,butkeptfocusedonthetaskathand.Shewasapprehensive aboutplayingwiththisman. Gut’situp,shethoughttoherself.

  “Energyisrelative.Youmaylightabulb,butnotacity.”Shedressedhimdown withhereyes.

  “Thepicturesareupstairsinmypenthouse.Wecangonowandlookatthem.I’ll sendyourdrinkup.”

  Jadeglimpsedthewaiteroutthecornerofhereye.

  “I’lltakemydrinknow.”

  Jimmy waved him over. She took a sip of her drink, and her expression transmittedherapproval.ShefollowedJimmytohispenthouse.

  CHAPTEREIGHT

  Philip Ferguson was born into money. He never had to struggle much. He
was oneofthosefortunatesoulswhowasanaturalatmostthings.Hewasattractive withasmoothcomplexionandasmilethatevenTyresecouldenvy.Hehadan

  athletic build, and he looked good in anything he wore, from cut off jeans to designersuits.Hisfamilyknewstruggle.

  Hisfatherandunclehadbuiltahugeconstructionbusinessandhardwarestore chain.Thebusinesseswereworthaboutsixmilliondollars.Hisfatherwasinthe processofclosingatwentymilliondollarcontractforsomeluxuryvillasonthe west coast. They worked hard and they were honest. They were known for the qualityoftheirworkandtheirattentiontodetail.

  They also delivered on time. Their reputation grew over the years and they strovehardtomaintainit.Itwaspayingoff.

  Despite their success in building, the family did not feel that they had arrived.

  There were no professionals in the family, not even an engineer. Phil was the first to break that working-class mould. They spared no expense and gave him their full support in his legal pursuit. Phil heeded his father’s advice about his careerchoice,theadvicebeingbestowedsincePhilwasagefourteen.Philwas unawareoftheworthofhisfamily’sbusiness.Hehadvieweditwiththesame

  lackofrespectasheviewedhisfatherandhisunclesettingofftoworkincotton shirts,jeansandsteel-tippedbootsinsteadofwoolsuitswithsilkties.

  Philwasexcitedandproudtobring‘respect’

  to his hard-working family. He had little trouble at high school, university or even law school. He was a natural intellectual and disciplined enough not trip himselfupbynotdoingthevolumeofworkrequiredtosucceedacademically.

  Philgraduatedfromlawschoolstillholdinghisfamilyvaluesintact.Hegrewup in a Christian home with the values of honesty, integrity, loyalty and doing to othersasyouwouldhavethemdotoyou.Thesewerewhathewasimmersedin

  allhislife.HefeltluckywhenhehadtheopportunitytoworkwithJ.C.

  Chambers. Jimmy Cadogan was a well-established attorney who seemed very

  successful and business savvy. Phil’s father Isaac thought it was a great opportunity for Phil to learn and grow. He arranged for Phil’s interview with Jimmy through a mutual friend. Phil impressed Jimmy and was taken on as a juniorpartner.

  Thingswentexceedinglywellforthefirsttwoyears.

  Hisclientbasewasbuildingandhewasmakinggoodmoney.Philwaslivingthe life.Thosetwoyearswerehishoneymoon.JimmybegantoinvolvePhilmorein

  hisownprivatepractice.Phil’sreputationasasharplegalmindandhisabilityto produce results had grown in the firm. Jimmy intended to extract as much benefitashecouldfromthisyounghumanresource.Itwasalsoafterthosetwo yearsthatPhilhadmetJadeandJimmy’smisdirectedinterestinherawakened

  Phil’sdisdainfortheman.

  Jimmydidnothavetimeforrules,exceptincontrovertibleones,likethelawof gravity.Hewasinterestedinresults.Ifhehadtobribe,lieorotherwisesubvert ethical principles to win, he would. The more he used Phil to get results, the moreheexposedhimtohisrealmoralfibreorlackthereof.Itwasalsothemore heendeavouredtocoerceorinveiglePhiltohiswayofdoingthings.

  Phil could not stomach the immoral, unethical culture of Jimmy’s practice. He resignedandputuphisownshingle.Jimmytookthisasapersonalattack.

  Jimmywasofthemindsetthat‘ifyouarenotwithmethenyouareagainstme’.

  HewassurethathewoulddestroyPhil’spracticewithinsixmonthsbeforehis practice even really started. He had underestimated Phil’s financial backing through his family, and by extension their contacts. Phil had a ton of conveyancestostarthispractice.Philwasalsoagenuinelygoodlawyerwitha way of making his clients feel that they were the most important people in the world.

  His practice grew and established itself as one of the leading legal practices in theland.

  CHAPTERNINE

  Phil woke up suddenly again, but this time from a dream and not a nightmare.

  Jimmy was not in this one, Amanda was. He remembered Ms. Callender’s last appointment.She didsetanotherappointment.

  Sheturnedupwithafolderfullofpapers.Shewasprepared.Shewalkedintohis office looking sharp as usual in a yellow Dolce and Gabana minidress with matchingLouisVuittonbag,herfeetembracedbyanelegantpairofgoldJimmy Choos.Sheworeaquestionmarkonherfaceasshewalkedin.Philwasonthe

  phonewithseveralstacksoffilesonhisdesk.

  Anotherlinestartedringing.Thenhewasinanotherconversation.Justthenhis Blackberryrangandhewasbeginningtolookoverwhelmed.Amandaputdown

  herfolderandbag.ShepickeduptheBlackberry,steppedoutsideandtookthe callasshesatinthevacantsecretary’schair.Shewascool,professionalbutstill personable.Shetooknotesfromthecall.Thephonerangagainandshetookthat call. Someone buzzed at the door; she let them in. She rescheduled their appointment.Andsoitwentfortwohours.

  Philemergedfromhisofficewithawrysmile,holdingAmanda’sbag.

  “Lunchtime,Ms.Callender.”

  “It’salmosttwo.”

  “That’sright.Timeforlunch.I’mhungry.”

  “SoamI.”

  “That’swhyI’mtakingyoutolunch.”

  “Really?”

  “Let’sgo.”

  “Whataboutyouroffice,who’sgoingtorunit?”

  “IfIdon’tleavenowit’sgoingtorunme.Ineedtoeat.”

  Philtookherhandandusheredheroutofherseat.

  Shetookherbagandfolderfromhim.TheyleftforlunchinPhil’scar.

  Phil remembered the drive to the restaurant. It was a typical sunny day in the Caribbean…absolutelybeautiful.Thebrightsunshineilluminatedthecoloursof theflowers,thetrees,thehouses,everythingwithabrilliancethatcouldnotbe transmittedbyanyfilm,electronicorcelluloid.Youhadtobethereimmersedin ittotrulyexperienceitsthebeauty.Itwasoneofthosedays.

  They sat at the restaurant on the waterfront eating and in easy, relaxed conversation. The sea was a brilliant blue contrasting at the horizon with the palerblueofthesky.Thesunwasstillhighenroutetocreatingastunningsunset threeshorthourslater.

  Windsurfers with their multi-coloured sails decorated the ocean canvas which servedasthepicturesquebackdropforPhilandAmanda’slunchdate.

  “So,Sandracalledinsickthismorning.”

  “Sheleftyoustrandedlikethat?”

  “It’snotlikethat.Sheonlyfellillthismorning,andshetriedtogetsomeoneto fillin,butshehadnoluck.

  Noonewasavailable.”

  “Tough luck.” Amanda made a quick, painful wince. It’s effect was cute. Phil smiledback.

  “Jadesometimesfillsin,orshewouldhaveifshewerehere,butshe’sinLondon defendingherthesistocompletehermasters.”

  “Ambitiouswoman.”

  “Ambitious,bright,industrious,beautiful.”

  “Soundslikearealcatch.”

  “Sheis.”

  “Thenyoudeserveher,you’reacatchtoo.”Shelookeddeepintohiseyes.She wasnotsmiling.

  Philfeltlikeshewasprobinghissoul.Hewasnotusedtosuchintensity,such confidence.Hebrokethesilence.

  “Youwereagodsendtoday.Itwasgettingcrazywhenyougottotheoffice.”

  Shesmiled.

  “Inoticed.”

  “Youhadanappointment?”

  “Idid.”

  “And you were prepared.” He gestured to her folder sitting in the vacant seat b
esideherbag.

  “Howdidyougetin?Ididnotbuzzyouin.”

  “Iwalkedin.Itwasnotlocked.”

  “That’sright.Sandrasaiditwasstickingsometimes.

  She’ll have to make sure it gets done when she comes back to work. It’s a securityconcern.Anybodycanwalkin.Lookatyou.”

  “Yeah, look at me.” She sat back. She looked at her waist, her chest and then directlyatPhil.Hefollowedhergazewithhisuntiltheireyesfinallymet.

  The chemistry brewed and became electric. They were feeling each other, the wayamanandawomandowhentheyareintenselyattractedtoeachotherand

  everyword,everyaction,everynuance,reallyfeltgood.

  “Yes,youshouldbechargedwithassaultwithcriminalintent.”

  “Areyougoingtoprosecutemeordefendme?”Shegavehimanobviouslycoy

  look.

  Phil was getting intoxicated, and it was not from alcohol. It was her. He was

  falling into her. She was so much fun to talk to, so easy to be around. He was vulnerable.Jadewasawayforthreeweeks,sofarawayonhermission.Philwas spoilt. He loved company and was unaccustomed to being alone. The stress of thedisorganizedmorningandAmandabeinghissaviourdidnothelp.Hedidnot wanttohavelunchanymore.

  He wanted to have her for himself alone, just to talk, just to enjoy her—her essence,herpresence.Withoutrealizingit,hevoicedhisthoughts.

  “Okay, my condo is ten minutes away, maybe twenty with the traffic. We can discussyourcase.”Philsmiled.Hewasrelieved,andalittleembarrassed.

  Hehadnotintendedtosaywhathesaid.Ordidhe?

  “Let’sgotomyplaceinstead.”

  *****

  Amanda’scondowastwostoriesupwithaviewfromthebalconyoverlooking

  theSouthCoast—Dover,St.Lawrence,WorthingandHastingsbeacheswereall

  a feast for the eyes from this vantage point. The condo was well-appointed, modern,butmoreclassicthantrendywithanopenplansothatyoucouldbegin toenjoytheviewimmediatelyuponentering.Philadmiredtheplace. Sheknows howtodressaroomas wellasshedressesherself.