Donnie sits at the beat up table under the poorly lit light and examines his cards. He does not have a good hand. Should he bluff? He has more on the table than he does in his pocket. Will is gonna have to fork over some more of his precious dough.
“I’m in but I need another IOU. I’m good for it. I paid the last one.” Donnie insists upon continuing to play.
“You paid the one before the last one. You still owe the last one,” one of the other thugs growls.
“It’s coming. My manager assures me the deals are piling on. They pay when it’s completed. I have to wait a few weeks, that’s all.”
Donnie has given this song and dance before and they are not going to buy it again. They really have not taken to him. They only let him in because Mac told them he is loaded and cannot play for anything. It’s easy money. Putting up with him seems like a no-brainer until he actually shows up. His money is not worth his constant whining. It is time to get rid of him.
“Then you can play in a few weeks but you got two days to pay up for last time and this time. Now get out before we tear up Mommy’s boy’s pretty fat face.” One of the thugs motions to a very large, well-built man wearing iron knuckles and standing in the back of the room.
“No, you can’t send me away. I’m good for the money. I really am,” Donnie protests and resists.
The other men stand up and are ready to help take Junior out the door. The man with the brass knuckles is closing in. The only thing Donnie fears more than losing the ability to gamble is feeling any physical pain so he leaves the game and heads to home.
Pinky is quite comfortable in their bed with her boyfriend when Donnie arrives home. To say he is upset is an understatement. He is devastated. Instead of telling her to leave he exists and heads to a hole in the wall bar and asks for Lou.
Lou gives him enough cocaine for himself and to share with about a hundred of his friends. Donnie has always paid Lou and Lou has no idea he is down on his luck. He figures Donnie’s going to host one of his big parties and entertain all those boys who ridicule him behind his back but use his drugs when he comes calling. The boy is too dumb to see it and too lazy to care.
Donnie has other plans for the cocaine. He needs some fast money and selling it to the guests he previously gave it to freely is his destination. He calls them one by one and tries to sell his stash but none of them are buying. They want it without pay like they got it before. They tell him to hand it over and he runs. This is never going to work. Donnie is left to his own devices to sell the massive amount of cocaine Lou handed him.
He calls a dealer he used to know and offers him a portion of the profits. The dealer is interested but then Donnie gets cold feet. He is not sure he should be making alliances so he decides to find some help from the internet. It is a silly thing to do but Donnie has never been a smart boy.
And that is when Donnie meets Officer Drake, an undercover officer called in by Ken’s investigator once he sees Donnie on the move selling drugs. He meets with Donnie and after the solicitation, promptly arrests him.
Donnie first calls Will, who nearly does a cartwheel when he hears the news. Nothing could be better than this. Telling Donnie there just isn’t any money to bail him out the next call Will makes is to Billy.
He likes Billy. Billy is his kind of guy. They have nothing in common with each other but Will knows that Billy says what he means and means what he says. There is no fooling Billy. Billy made it clear that Will is in big trouble and that he may be severely punished. Will certainly hopes that does not happen and for some reason, he trusts that Billy will do his very best to make the whole mess disappear. If Billy cannot do it, no one can.
“I’ve already heard from Ken but Will, this is your one chance to get it right.” Billy is waiting for this call.
“Tell me what to do, Boss, and I’ll do it.” Will finds solace in being at Billy’s command.
“You’re going to tell the authorities that you can’t bail out Donnie because he’s taken all the profits and is depleting the company. He even told you to dump sludge into Lake Michigan to save money so that he could gamble more of it away. That will hit the news like a flash and I’ll be there to tell them that you’re cooperating with the government and that Donnie is the real culprit.”
“You’re an angel sent by God Almighty, Billy Solomon. Yes, you are.” Will is forever indebted to the young attorney.
“I’m pretty sure He would disagree. I’ll meet you at the police station in thirty minutes. Don’t say a word until I get there.” Billy is raring to go.
“Yes, sir. I’ll stay in my truck ‘til I see you come by. What cha drivin’?” Will’s hands are shaking, but he is ready to face the music.
“A black Mercedes SL. I’m leaving now.”
Billy tells Will he performed like a pro. Making his statement to the police he appears to be as humble a man as could possibly exist. A few hours later Donnie is annihilated by the press and everyone claims they are going to sue. Will is nervous and calls the brazen attorney.
“Don’t worry about the lawsuits. Some plaintiff’s attorney will call for a class action suit and we’ll take it on. They have to prove they’ve actually been harmed and that’ll be difficult to do since you haven’t been dumping that long or that much.” Billy consoles him.
“I thought you’d be on the other side,” Will answers.
“I am but I think our biggest threat is sitting behind bars right now. You’re gonna have to pay a hefty fine and for the clean-up but it sounds like the business is coming in. My advice to you is to get on the phone and secure those deals. If they have good contracts this could be an event that allows them to back out of the agreement.” Billy’s help is invaluable.
“I’ll do just that. Why you bein’ so helpful?” Will is not suspicious. He only wants to know the reason and Billy tells him.
“People like Donnie aggravate me more than I could ever explain. They take all the good that one person has done and undo it for their own pleasure at the expense of so many others who have slaved over the job. You’ve tried to protect those people and I admire your loyalty. You broke some laws in your efforts but you’ll have time to rectify your past misdeeds and you understand that you’ve done wrong. Donnie still needs to learn that lesson. I’m gonna save you like you’re trying to save all your workers but I expect better from you from here on out,” Billy preaches to the older man.
“I can’t thank you enough, Sir. Can’t thank you enough.” He is on the verge of tears. He is trying his best to do what is right in a horrible set of circumstances he didn’t create.
“It’s Billy. I only make the associates call me ‘sir’. Except for the pretty girl.” He laughs. He is trying to make Will feel better; to feel like a man. “Don’t ever tell anyone I said that. I spend a lot of time trying to convince other people I’m not sexist.” Billy pauses as the older gentleman takes in his meaning.
“I don’t recall you saying a thing. Now I get to watch you on television.” Will takes the bait and is grateful for the young man’s decorum. He is in so deep and he is relying on Billy to help him escape.
“Enjoy the show.”
CHAPTER 23
W ith many of the loose ends cleared up in Chicago there is absolutely no reason for Billy and Tawny not to travel to Nigeria and get the hands on view of the underwater lab and its fabulous scientific work. This is Ken’s baby. He dreamed it and he designed it. It is the crown jewel in his studded headdress.
Billy is as wary a month later about entering the lab as he was when he spoke to Tawny. She has no concerns about descending into the depth of the Gulf of Guinea and he is white as a ghost with fear. He does not talk much on the long trip across the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, he sleeps for more than half the trip.
“Did you take something to make you sleep so soundly?” Tawny is curious.
“What if I did?” Billy does not like admitting it.
“It’ll be over soon, Billy. I’ll hold your hand.”
/> “Don’t make fun of me,” he scolds her.
“I’m not. I meant it. I will hold your hand.”
“You can’t. You’re my associate and besides, I can’t show fear.” Billy’s face is so pale she is afraid he might get sick.
“Well, know that I’m right beside you. I‘ll offer to go down first.” Tawny does her best to comfort him.
“I’d rather go first because the longer I stand up there the worse it’s going to be for me.” He can think of nothing but this nightmare awaiting him.
“Then you go first and I’ll follow right behind. You can introduce yourself to the scientists and then introduce me since Ken will be the last one down.”
“That’ll give me something to think about: remembering their names.”
“Billy, didn’t you review the research I gave you with all their pictures?” Tawny slightly chastises him.
“Yes, but I’m better at meeting people; not looking at pictures.”
“I’m sure the view will be awesome. As soon as you see it you’ll forget about where you are,” Tawny attempts to refocus his attention.
“I don’t think so. Let’s not talk about it. We’ll be landing in about an hour and I can’t wait to check into the hotel. Ken arrived a little earlier so he’s probably all settled in. We can meet him for a drink.” Billy changes the subject.
“You could get drunk before you go or at least have a few,” Tawny suggests.
“No, I can’t. Drop it now.” Billy is ready to move forward.
Tawny quiets down as she feels the plane descending. It is very exciting to be arriving in Nigeria for the first time but it is also a bit daunting. Africa is a country she sees on the news or in a movie or an infomercial for starving children. She never imagined visiting the continent. When she chose environmental law she naturally assumed all her cases would be in the United States but already she’s been to a tropical island and now Nigeria.
A little apprehensive about being on foreign soil, Tawny is glad that Billy is with her now and that Ken will be joining them as soon as they arrive at the hotel. If she is going to be in Africa she is very happy not to be alone.
The plane lands and the two attorneys grab their carry-on bags before heading toward baggage claim for the rest of their stuff. It is only a four day trip but they packed for at least six. Never having been to Nigeria before, they wanted to make certain they had what they needed.
A car is waiting for them courtesy of Ken. He’s been here a few times and knows how to make them feel comfortable. Arriving at the hotel without incident, Billy and Tawny check into their rooms. As they head toward the elevator Ken is there to meet them. Tawny watches Billy’s shoulders drop as the tension in his body relaxes upon seeing his friend.
“Long flight?” He asks also noticing Billy’s pent up body language.
“Not too bad. I slept. Tawny may have found it long,” Billy offers.
“I slept some but I knew we’d arrive late evening and I wanted to try to get on this time zone. I’m going to be messed up enough so I’m trying to do what I can to avoid jet lag.” Tawny yawns to demonstrate how tired she is.
“So no drink tonight?” Ken asks a little disappointed.
“Maybe one. But I’m not staying late.”
“Me either. Let’s drop these in our rooms, unpack and meet back downstairs in twenty minutes.” Billy needs a drink sooner than later.
“The hotel has a decent bar. We’ll have one there and then call it a night.”
Tawny’s room is exquisite. It is huge and decorated with a gilded style that makes her feel like royalty. The king sized bed is lavishly covered in a golden designer comforter while the surrounding furniture could have been in a palace. She would like to stay here and skip the drink.
Opening her suitcases, she quickly hangs up her dresses and arranges her toiletries. Twenty minutes is not enough time for a girl to get her room together. She will have to finish it when she returns or in the morning. Not knowing the agenda she is not sure what the plan for tomorrow is.
Billy is already downstairs and the two men are waiting for her. Believe it or not Billy is on his phone. Who could he be calling now? The man is addicted to that thing.
“Wow, what a room! I feel like a princess. You may have trouble getting me out of it,” Tawny teases.
“I chose the best hotel I’ve ever stayed in. Between you and me I’m not sure how excited Billy is to be here. This is not in his comfort zone. I thought a super nice hotel would at least give him a safe place to return at the end of the day,” Ken almost whispers as Billy finishes his call.
Tawny smiles in response. Billy is a tyrant in the courtroom and he can scare just about anyone she knows but here the bear has turned into a cub.
“Who were you calling?” Tawny wonders out loud.
“Rebecca, if you can believe it.”
“That’s the last person I would’ve expected. What’s up with her?” Tawny is curious.
“She’s dealing with a personnel issue between Franklin and Dudley. She’s done a nice job of calming them down and putting it in perspective for them. They both want to work on a deal and they’re causing more drama in the office than. . .,” he trails off.
“Two women?” Tawny supplies the end of the sentence.
“You said that. I was thinking of two actors. You know with the drama.”
“That is so dumb. I thought Dudley belonged to Rebecca. Why would Franklin be in the middle of those two?”
“Franklin likes the work that Rebecca does and wants to work with her more. Dudley doesn’t want to give him any of his work and wants to be exclusively with Rebecca.” Rebecca has never been so popular.
Tawny wants to know how her former mentor has handled the situation. “What did she do?”
“She talked to both of them individually and then together. She agreed to give Franklin a project on one of her smaller cases but reminded him that Dudley is her premier associate. Franklin expressed his interest and Rebecca said she would consider it but needed to talk to me first. She’s learned from her past and I like that.” Billy sees Rebecca’s growth.
“Your favorite thing to deal with when we get back home—human resources.”
“I think she’s gonna get the job done. I hope so anyway. Let’s get that drink.” Billy steers her across the lobby.
Inside the bar they order a drink and Ken reveals the agenda. He is saving the trip underwater for the day after tomorrow. The lawyers are going to be treated to a tour of the southern part of Nigeria. They only have to sit in an open car and experience the beauty of the countryside.
Tawny is excited about seeing the lush rain forest and maybe meet some of the natives. She doubts they will see much poverty. Ken would avoid bringing them down the day after their arrival. He will show them only the best the country has to offer.
Sleeping late, she takes her time getting ready in the plush room. She could enjoy life in this room for a long time. She showers to get ready, washing her thick auburn hair. Tonight she will lounge in the huge jet tub and forget that she is only a lowly associate attorney and pretend she is queen of the world. It will not be difficult in these surroundings.
Billy can hardly wait for the day to end and tomorrow’s as well. Sightseeing is not his favorite pastime but it will give him an opportunity to relax. Meeting Ken at noon for lunch they locate an authentic little place and sample local cuisine at its finest. Even Billy is impressed.
Boarding a trolley-like bus they set out to experience the wonders of the city. Experiencing the architecture and the culture in its rawest forms, they learn how different and how similar this country is to their own. It is enlightening in every way possible. The afternoon flies by and in no time, they are searching for a place as wonderful for dinner as they had for lunch.
Dining in a spectacular high-end seafood restaurant they enjoy the best shellfish. Inhaling it, Billy watches as it disappears from Tawny’s plate.
“Do you want another?�
� He teases.
“Yes. Can I have another one?”
“No.”
“Then why’d you ask?”
“Are you enjoying the tour?” Ken cuts in and asks them both. And both truly are. It is a fantastic experience and they are soaking in every moment. “We’ve run a little late, especially with this dinner. Why don’t we check out the farm land the day after tomorrow instead of trying to fit it in tonight?”
“I’m all for that. I have to say I’ve enjoyed every moment of today,” Billy responds.
“And you’re dreading tomorrow.” Ken finally breaks open the Pandora’s box.
“I’m sure it’ll be as great as today. I’m just not a big fan of water. To be honest the thought of going that far down makes me nauseous.” Billy cannot hold back any longer. The fun of today’s trip did not make the fear of tomorrow’s disappear.
“Finally, you tell me what I’ve known all along. You don’t have to go if it’s going to make you sick.” Ken gives him an out.
“No, I’m going for it. Are we taking a speedboat or a helicopter?” Billy needs to know the particulars.
“Copter. We’ll get there quicker and get it over with. I do believe that once you’re down there you’ll forget your fear. The view is amazing.” Ken tries to make him calmer about his decision. After finishing lunch, the group heads to the rain forest for a few hours before returning to the hotel for a light dinner.
“Let’s order drinks on the veranda and watch the sun set.” The sunset is mesmerizing and it makes them all thankful for taking the trip. Even Billy is relaxing as he watches his last day before the descent under the gulf ends.
Then the day arrives. Billy’s stomach is killing him and he is sweating profusely. This is going to be the worst day of his life. No matter what he tries nothing takes his mind off of that elevator trip. If he does not vomit before getting into the lab, he surely will once he steps off the elevator and into it. Humiliation will be complete in a few hours.
Limiting Liabilities: Book Two - The Martinique Files Page 30