by Emery, Lynn
“You maybe better check on your boss?” Jazz offered.
“I’m sure he’s okay,” the young woman said. Her fidgeting betrayed her attempt to sound unconcerned. When a door banged open she hunched her shoulders and gasped.
“Don’t count on this being over, Godfrey. You no good…” The tall man stood in the open office door pointing as he spoke.
“This is a place of business, Ronald. Show some self-control,” a calm deep voice flowed, though its owner didn’t emerge.
“After what you did, you’ve got the balls to lecture me on proper behavior?” The tall man thundered back. “One of these days, Godfrey… One of these days…”
The man whirled around and stormed out of the office. Window glass rattled and both table lamps trembled when he slammed the heavy front door. Jazz looked around to find the secretary gone from her desk. All she could see was Shamekia’s head. The young woman peeped around a corner of wall leading down a corridor to other offices. A third man appeared. He whispered something to her. She nodded as he gave her a pat on her arm. Then he went into the open door and closed it. If more shouting started, Jazz was prepared to make a run for it herself. Shamekia smoothed down her blouse in a game attempt to regain some dignity.
“Would you like some coffee or a soft drink,” she stammered. Her gaze darted to the front door at least three times.
“Umm, no thanks,” Jazz said and crossed over to her. “You look like you need a drink worse than me, girl.”
“No, no, I’m okay,” Shamekia replied with a smile.
“Uh-huh.” Jazz went to a spring water cooler in the waiting room. She filled a paper cup and gave it to Shamekia. “Here, you better steady your nerves.”
Shamekia nodded and gulped down the water. “Thank you.”
“Sure. I guess lawyers get used to unsatisfied clients, huh?” Jazz took the empty paper cup from Shamekia. She handed the young woman a napkin. Then she picked up several papers that had fallen to the floor.
“That was Mr. Nelson,” Shamekia blurted out.
“The guy who’s supposed to be my new lawyer just had a meltdown and blew outta here? Damn,” Jazz said.
“Oh, well… I guess we need to get you another appointment. I mean…” The young woman stammered as she rushed to her desk.
“I came here to get out of drama, not step into more,” Jazz retorted. She swung her leather purse over one shoulder. “Nah, sweetie, I’m on my way.”
Two men emerged from the office that had been a storm center only minutes before. The man who had tried to comfort Shamekia nodded at Jazz and disappeared back down a hallway. The taller man, the color of honey, strode over to Jazz with a hand extended. Without thinking she shook it.
“I’m so sorry you had to suffer through that unsettling scene, Ms.—” The good-looking man glanced at Shamekia.
“Ms. Jazzmonetta Vaughn, Mr. Higgins. She had a two o’clock appointment with Mr. Nelson, but he…” Shamekia glanced at the front door.
“I’ll see you right away, Ms. Vaughn. Shamekia, get Ms. Vaughn a soft drink. Or maybe get one of those small bottles of organic honey infused iced herbal tea. You have one as well. Right this way Ms. Vaughn.” Mr. Higgins deftly guided Jazz into his office with a firm hand under her elbow while he gave instructions to Shamekia and offered more apologies.
Before she knew how or when it happened, Jazz had been settled into a comfortable deep green leather chair. A thick napkin had been placed in her hand and she held a crystal goblet, as promised. In ten minutes she told him about her club and the notice from the city of Baton Rouge. She gave him a copy of it to examine as well. And damned if she didn’t like the honey infused herbal tea crap Shamekia had practically begged her to try.
Godfrey Higgins, Esq. leaned back in his leather executive chair. He had let her talk without interruption. After ten seconds of silence he tapped on the keyboard of his all-in-one desktop computer. As he worked, Jazz took time to size him up. Higgins looked to be maybe in his early forties. He took care of himself. Jazz surmised he was more than a bit vain about his looks. From time to time he’d brush the sleeve of his shirt or straighten his Kelly green tie. A padded hanger held his wool and silk blend black suit jacket on a rack in one corner. His office was neat. Jazz didn’t doubt that the guy had a mirror in a drawer of his desk.
“I pulled up a copy of the ordinances they cited. The pertinent one, by that I mean—”
“I know what pertinent means. Big words were in the English section of my GED test,” Jazz quipped.
Higgins glanced at her. A slow smile pulled up his full lips at both ends. “I won’t underestimate you again, Ms. Vaughn. Anyway, the nuisance city ordinance referenced states police files are used. Citizen complaints are included by the city as well. Have you requested copies of the files used as a basis for this action?”
“No. I can do that?”
“Definitely, it’s your right as part of due process. Your request must be in writing. I suggest you do that ASAP. Many small business owners represent themselves at these hearings. I can give you some guidance for a fixed fee of $300 dollars,” Higgins said.
“Okay,” Jazz replied. A lawyer trying to save her money? She waited for the catch.
“But word your request to make sure you cover all possible documents. They could use sanitation inspections and any information on record related to your occupational license. They could use information on your building permits, liquor license, and any number of things.” Higgins tapped his keys again as he spoke.
“Sounds tricky to me,” Jazz said. She raised an eyebrow. “I knew you lawyers would have a way to make more than pocket change off us.”
Higgins appeared not the least bit offended. “The law is complicated, Ms. Vaughn. That’s why we’re still around. People find out they need us the hard way. I can give you a detailed schedule of fees to represent you in this particular matter.”
“You’ve represented a nightclub before with a notice?” Jazz asked.
“An upscale gentlemen’s club in Gonzales hired me in 2011 to fight city hall. We won, and it was within five miles of a middle-school. You can imagine emotions ran high.” Higgins smoothed down his tie.
“And?”
“The Louisiana state Attorney General’s office issued an opinion that their hastily passed ordinance was illegal. The city backed down. The club’s previous attorney had taken a different approach. I don’t hold back.” Higgins gazed at her with determination in his dark eyes. His predatory smile indicated he enjoyed taking on a legal fight.
“Then you’re hired. What’s next? I mean after I write you a check,” Jazz added with a knowing grin.
“We take debit and credit cards,” Higgins replied without missing a beat, his handsome smile still in place. “I’ll immediately file for a continuance of the hearing date to give us more time, and an expedited request for all discoverable files associated with the notice. Then I’ll find the weak points in their case.”
Jazz didn’t make a move to pull out her wallet. “I’ve done a bit of research on your law firm. You handle mostly large liability cases. Some personal injury, but only against pretty big companies. Every once in a while you take on a criminal case, mostly white collar. Why would you want my itty bitty case? You won’t rack up hefty legal fees repping me.”
Higgins sat back in his chair again. “I have a confession.”
“Look out, a lawyer fessing up to something. This should be good,” Jazz wisecracked.
“I saw the articles about your night club in the newspaper. I also knew Jack Crown. I followed that case as well. You played a role as I appreciate it, right? You were arrested, but later cleared. Sounds like a David versus Goliath kind of fight. I don’t like seeing city hall pushing citizens around,” Higgins said.
“In other words, you could get some sweet publicity mileage out of defending me. That way you’ll possibly attract clients with deep pockets who’ve gotten themselves in deep shit.” Jazz waved a hand to cut off
his reply. “Everybody has their reasons. My friend says you’re a shark, and I like sharp teeth.”
Higgins smiled. “I really like you, Ms. Vaughn.”
“I’m ready to pay, so you’ll officially be my shark,” Jazz replied with her most winning smile.
Chapter 8
Two days later, Jazz suffered through another meeting with her big sister. Okay, that wasn’t fair. Willa had good intentions, but the road to hell is what Jazz thought when Willa started being “helpful.” Listening to Willa preach could be as torturous as roasting on hot coals.
Willa sat across from Jazz in her office, arms crossed and a frown on her face. Cedric fidgeted as though he would find an excuse to bolt any minute. Her office manager, Kay, kept thinking of reasons she needed to pop into the conference room. MiMi sat at the other end of the conference table arguing into her cell phone with her mother, who was awful at babysitting little Sage. The snooty socialite hadn’t been much into her own children. Jazz wondered why MiMi kept thinking Mrs. Ora Bertrand Landry would magically become a doting, cookie baking grandmother.
“So this lawyer is willing to represent you, but he’s not going after some big time settlement. Something ain’t right.” Willa looked at Cedric.
“Higgins has a reputation for being what folks used to call an ambulance chaser is what Willa means. He bought an RV to use as a mobile law office. When there was a plant accident, he’d park in the closest neighborhood and sign up clients.” Cedric laughed.
“Sounds like an enterprising businessman if you ask me,” Jazz replied with a shrug.
“You would see shady moves as thinking out of the box,” Willa retorted.
“Drop the snob act. You’ve been hanging around those sorority sisters of yours too damn long.” Jazz crossed her legs and folded her arms like Willa.
“You could learn from my sorors at Delta, like proper manners,” Willa mumbled.
“You mean like your esteemed buddy Loren Grady. She got three years supervised probation last year. She was dumb enough to get caught gambling with her company’s money,” Jazz snapped.
“Hey, Loren isn’t my buddy,” Willa protested.
“Humph, such golden role models. You’re right. I’ve got a lot to learn from your crew.”
Cedric raised a palm when both sisters faced each other to take their spat to the next level. “We’re here to talk about the city’s notice of closure and Higgins. Remember?”
MiMi dropped her smart phone in the sky blue leather purse and joined in. “I missed some good stuff. Hit the replay button so I can know what’s going on.”
“Willa and Jazz don’t agree…” Cedric started.
“Tell me something I don’t already know,” MiMi wisecracked and started laughing. She sobered up when the two women glared at her. “Ahem, so what is the issue at hand?”
“Willa thinks Godfrey Higgins is shady,” Jazz said in a clipped tone.
“Well let’s see.” MiMi whipped out her seven inch tablet computer. “I made some notes. He’s been reprimanded twice by the Attorney Disciplinary Board in the past eight years. Both times letters of censure only.”
“How’d you do that so fast?” Willa craned her neck to stare at the tablet’s screen.
“Public record, girl. All actions taken by the Louisiana Supreme Court are searchable on their website. I learned watching Cedric.” MiMi beamed proudly at them all.
“She’s right. Even those instances were minor charges. He got busy when his practice took off. The board said he failed to communicate with two clients in a timely way on their cases; it’s behavior covered under their professional code of conduct,” Cedric added.
“Yes, what he said,” MiMi replied.
“Okay, so he hasn’t gotten caught yet,” Willa said, stubbornly suspicious.
“Some may not like his tactics, but he hasn’t broken any laws or violated professional standards. He’s a top earning attorney in southeastern Louisiana. He may dance on the line a bit, but then so have we, Willa.” Cedric raised both his dark eyebrows at his boss/business partner. More than once he’d played the role of policing the three women when they wanted to cross that line.
Willa gave a hiss of annoyance at his inconvenient truth. “You’ve still got to be wondering why he’s taking this case though.”
“He gets to fight for the underdog and silence his critics that he just goes after the big money?” MiMi said and looked at the other three.
“Nah, I doubt Higgins gives a shit about his critics. Willa has a point. I thought of the same thing, but he loves being before the cameras. I’ve been high profile once or twice.” Jazz grinned at the memory of her exploits.
“He gets media attention. Free advertising is one thing all business people love.” Willa nodded. “But he loves money even more. I’m thinking he’s looking down the road. He wins this hearing and sues the city.”
“Damn, I hadn’t thought about suing the city. I must be slipping,” Jazz joked. Cedric and MiMi laughed with her.
“Lord have mercy. Cedric, I can’t believe you’re encouraging these two.” Willa gave him a side glance and turned to Jazz. “You get to sue the city if you win.”
“Worth a try. I sure as hell can’t sit back and let them take what’s mine,” Jazz replied.
“I agree with you there. You’d think the city would have better things to do than go after one hood nightclub. There are at least twenty around the city, more even,” Willa said.
“Hey, Candy Girls isn’t a ghetto hang out. We have working people who get lunch at my place, even families. Don’t be comparing my place to major dens of iniquity,” Jazz protested with heat.
“Hmm, den of iniquity. You were listening to Reverend Fisher’s sermons I see.” Willa grinned when Jazz scowled at her.
“You two stop with the sibling rivalry for one minute.” MiMi scolded. She sighed. “Now Jazz, do you need help with your legal fund?”
“I’m good for now.” Jazz looked down at her peep-toe red pepper sandals.
Willa stood and strode to her desk. She pulled out her checkbook. “You need my help.”
“No I don’t,” Jazz shot back and stood. “I’ve got it covered, okay.”
“This is a loan.” Willa wrote the check while ignoring Jazz’s angry huffing and puffing. She extended it to her. “I’ll go to Higgins and make one out to him if you don’t take it.”
“Legal cases have a way of stretching on for months and draining bank accounts, Jazz,” Cedric said.
“You can take care of yourself, we get it. But don’t be stupid. Take the money,” MiMi urged.
Jazz stared at Willa for fifteen seconds. They both knew her savings were running low. Candy Girls had pretty much drained what Jazz called her war fund. Jazz also knew Willa would never ask to be repaid. Still she didn’t reach for the money. “You’ve got two kids. Can you afford this ‘loan’?”
Cedric answered. “We signed two huge contracts in the last few days. One of our current accounts paid invoices of quite a hefty amount. That overdue bill had me sweating for a minute. Crown Protection is doing fine.”
“Okay.”
Jazz pushed down the urge to hug her sister. Though she’d find it hard to admit, Jazz worried about Willa and the kids. Sentimentality didn’t come easy for her. Instead Jazz shrugged, took the check, and put it in her matching red pepper leather hobo bag. “But I’m going to pay you back.”
“You sure as hell better,” Willa clipped.
Jazz frowned as Cedric and MiMi exchanged a look. “What?”
“You two,” was all MiMi said with a sigh. “Okay, so since we all need money…”
“No,” Jazz, Willa and Cedric chimed in sync.
“You just said even if Higgins files a lawsuit against the city of Baton Rouge it could be months, years even,” MiMi argued.
“Higgins says he might find an investor for Candy Girls. Why is that funny?” Jazz spat when Willa barked a skeptical laugh.
“Who is going to invest i
n a small strip joint in a seedy part of town? I’m sorry,” Willa said raising a hand. “But we all know it’s true.”
“Real estate in mid-city is going up in value. You might have noticed that more trendy businesses are opening in the area,” Cedric replied. He nodded when the other three looked at him in surprise. “Looks can be deceiving. The city has demolished over a dozen houses that were being used by drug dealers. The police are using high tech methods to track crime and target gang activity. I have a couple of friends who are buying property at the city auctions.”
“City auctions?” MiMi blinked at him.
“When folks don’t pay their property taxes, the city has an auction. You pay the taxes, and the property becomes yours. The previous owners have twelve months to offer a settlement or appeal. I got Candy Girls and the building behind it where I live when Lorraine owed taxes and couldn’t pay up.” Jazz grinned when her friends gazed at her with appreciation. “I was paying attention when she complained about her bills. Lorraine kept saying she wasn’t going to give the city a dime until she got ready. By the time she got ready, the fines and interest had grown.”
“What a dumb move,” Willa said.
“Lorraine ran her business into the ground, and still blames me for it. Now she’s got a shack on the last piece of property she owns. She got sense enough to hurry up and pay those taxes after she lost Candy Girls.” Jazz sighed. “But now I’ve got new problems.”
“Well at least we can deal with the legal system. What about Cleavon and Kyeisha?” Willa asked. She glanced around at Cedric.
“He’s still locked up. The guy has outstanding warrants, and other charges,” Cedric said.
“Yeah, he’s not going anywhere any time soon,” Jazz added. “Plus, witnesses saw him with Kyeisha, so now the police know he was the last person to have seen her. So he’s a ‘person of interest’ in her disappearance. I hear Lorraine is scared spitless. Those two heffas were up to something.”
