Chapter 31
It was a cold drizzly day in Houston and Frank Hill was upset. He was tired and wanted to get home, but his helicopter had been grounded. Now he'd have to waste two hours sitting in Houston traffic before he got home. He hit the intercom button on his desk.
"Leslie, get me Monique on the phone."
"Yes, sir."
Frank went to his closet and got his coat. The intercom buzzed so he went over to it and pushed the reply button.
"Yes."
"Monique is on one."
"Good," he said and picked up the phone. "Monique, honey, hey, I'm going to be in traffic a few hours tonight, can you send somebody over. I hate that long lonely drive."
"Sure, anything for you, Frank. I'll have someone in your limo when it picks you up."
"Good. You're a life saver."
Frank took the elevator to the basement garage. As he stepped out onto the sidewalk, a limousine pulled up. The valet went over and opened the door. As he climbed in his eyes lit up as he saw twin girls dressed in tight red dresses and black stockings. Their dresses were pulled up high giving him an eyeful. He climbed in eagerly and sat between them. Smiling broadly, he opened the lid on the bar.
“How about a drink, girls?” he asked.
“Vodka for us,” one of the them said.
He grabbed the Vodka and poured a glass for each of them. Soon Frank was undressing one of the girls and fondling her breasts. Suddenly the phone rang. Frank reached for the phone and picked it up.
“Yeah.”
“Frank, turn on the TV—Channel 3,” Barnes said.
“What?”
“Channel 3. We’ve got serious trouble.”
Frank turned on the limo’s TV set. "This is Diane McClure with the six o'clock evening news. In Washington today congressmen and senators were dismayed when they and members of their families received hundreds of credit cards in the mail. The cards, each with a credit limit of $5,000, were issued by MidSouth Bank of Houston. MidSouth Bank, a subprime lender, suffered severe financial setbacks two years ago when Dallas bankruptcy attorney Matt Coleman opened up its Debt Relief Centers of Texas.
“In a news conference today Senator Goss called for an investigation of MidSouth and its chairman, Frank Hill, citing mounting evidence of wrongdoing by the Texas banker,” McClure said.
The camera went to Senator Goss’ news conference.
“These credit cards to members of Congress and their families are the last straw,” Senator Goss said, holding up a fist full of credit cards. “If Frank Hill thinks he can buy his way out of trouble, he’s in for a rude awakening.”
“Senator, what about reports that Senator Bennington received large campaign contributions from Frank Hill?”
“You’ll have to ask him about that,” Senator Goss replied.
The screen went back to Diane McClure at the studio.
“And Senator Bennington was asked about the alleged campaign contributions as he left his office today.”
The screen went to Senator Bennington’s office, where he has just come out the front door. A mob of reporters surrounds him.
“Senator Bennington. Did you and your family members receive credit cards from MidSouth Bank?”
“Yes, and I’m sending them right back. I didn’t ask for them and frankly I’m quite perplexed as to why we got them.”
Another reporter said, “Is it true that you received substantial campaign contributions from Frank Hill?”
Senator Bennington shrugged, “Well, he has been a supporter but—”
“Is that why you opposed any investigation of MidSouth Bank?”
“No. No. . . . I’m sorry. That’s all for today. I have no further comment at this time.”
Senator Bennington looked around nervously and then pushed his way through the crowd. The camera zoomed in on him getting in his limo and driving off. The screen flipped back to the studio and Diane McClure.
“Coincidentally,” McClure continued. “Matt Coleman was released from prison today. It is unclear whether the events on the Hill today and Coleman’s release are related but it’s a little hard to believe that they’re not. Diane McClure here for Channel 3 News.”
The car stopped and voices could be heard outside. The driver's door opened and then slammed. Frank looked up in a half stupor wondering what was going on. The girls scrambled to find their clothes and put them on.
Annoyed by the news report and delay in getting home, Frank opened the passenger door and found himself face to face with two police detectives. They pulled him out of the car and stood him in front of Agent Radcliff.
"Franklin Benjamin Hill?" the officer asked.
Struggling, he said, "What do you think you are doing?"
"You’re under arrest for the murder of Lynn Coleman and Lori Keys. Put your hands in the air, sir."
Frank reluctantly raised his hands and said, "What's your name? Do you know who I am? I'll have your badge before morning."
"I don't think so, sir. I’m assisting these officers in executing a valid arrest warrant issued less than two hours ago. . . . You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be provided for you. Do you understand these rights?"
"Don’t worry. I've got the best attorneys in the state. I'll be out on bail in twenty minutes."
"Well, we'll see."
The officers put Hill in a squad car and he was taken to federal building. At a bond hearing an hour later the magistrate denied him bond due to the multiple murder charges and likelihood that he would try to escape.
***
The following day financial stocks took the largest nosedive since the great depression. Rumors of the imminent appointment of a special prosecutor to handle not only MidSouth Bank but other banks suspected of predatory credit card practices fueled the crash. But the mood of the country was not of panic but more of hope. For by the grace of God a vicious cancer that had been growing in America had been detected and for the first time was under treatment.
EPILOGUE
After Matt’s release from prison, thousands of newly released inmates around the country enjoyed the bounty provided by thousands of new credit cards issued to them by MidSouth Bank. Soon MidSouth was declared insolvent and shut down.
It took nearly five years to conclude the dozens of investigations and trials associated with the prosecution of key officers of MidSouth Bank and seven other institutions which later became targets of the special prosecutor. In time Matt Coleman and Bill Ross became household names as the facts behind their efforts to expose MidSouth Bank became known.
Matt’s trip to South America violated his parole and cost him another six months of incarceration. He took his additional time in stride. He had accomplished his goal of putting Frank Hill out of business and waking up the American people to the threat of excessive credit and predatory credit practices. But memories were short, so he knew he would have to do more.
While in prison Matt realized he had been called by God, so instead of reestablishing his lucrative Debt Relief Centers he returned to Dallas and started a nonprofit foundation in a restored mansion on Swiss Avenue. He called it the “Lynn Coleman Foundation.” The clinic had the same purpose, to help consumers rid themselves of debilitating debt, but diverted all its profits to a ministry devoted to stopping the rampant spread of materialism which he believed was largely responsible for the high divorce rate and the decline of the family as a dominant force in America.
A local radio station provided Matt with air time for a weekly talk show and he frequently preached at several local churches. His reputation and influence grew and eventually his weekly talk show was syndicated nationwide. Matt never remarried.
THE STAN TURNER MYSTERIES
by William Manchee
Undaunted (1997)
Brash Endeavor (1998)
Second Chair (2000)
Cash Call (2002)
Deadly Distractions (2004)
Black Monday (2005)
Cactus Island (2006)
Act Normal (2007)
Deadly Defiance (2011)
"...appealing characters and lively dialogue, especially in the courtroom . . . " (Publisher's Weekly)
"...plenty of action and adventure . . . " (Library Journal)
"...each plot line, in and of itself, can be riveting . . . " (Foreword Magazine)
"...a courtroom climax that would make the venerable Perry Mason stand and applaud . . . "
(Crescent Blue)
"...Richly textured with wonderful atmosphere, the novel shows Manchee as a smooth, polished master of the mystery form . . . " (The Book Reader)
"...Manchee’s stories are suspenseful and most involve lawyers. And he’s as proficient as Grisham . . . (Dallas Observer)
"...fabulous-a real page turner-I didn't want it to end!" (Allison Robson, CBS Affiliate, KLBK TV, Ch 13)
Plastic Gods, A Rich Coleman Novel Vol 2 Page 49
