VENTURES: The Husband

Olivia and I were at Red Booth with her latest client and an old friend of hers Angela Mitchell...A Financial Planner...

"Olivia, sooo nice to see you again after all these years...."said Sylvia Mitchell, who was busy moving the wandering hands of another dinner guest, Attorney Frank Attaway, from under her dress....

Frank Attaway was an Attorney , Olivia had known at Bach and Bach, the private law firm she had once worked for...He had his hands up Angela's skirt and was beyond rubbing her legs, he was rubbing her behind and trying subtlely to run his hands down her panties,...

Angela moved his hands for the third time and gave him a stern look that both Olivia and I noticed..

"Yesssss Livy had a good head on her shoulders...She said she was going to start her own firm...She andAngie and that lawyer, Zoey

got together and the next thing I know..Her divorce went through, Olivia took a short vacation to New Orleans and when she came back...

She turned in her resignation and bought a Duplex/Office that you guys are in and set up shop...Now look at her..Got a staff of three lawyers,

"Your niece, Beverly right? I vaguely remember her...She was a Public Defender, she came to visit you once.

Her husband, Who also worked with you at the Public Defender's Office....

and a new lawyer....and an investigator and an office manager...

Go on girrll.." he laughed...

"Ohhh thank you...I do alright...I do alright..." Olivia laughed..

''You've done better than alright girl.....And this is husband number two huh? " asked Angela ,smiling at me...

"That would be I" I said... 'She met me when she went on that vacation in New Orleans...I was a Homicide Detective in New Orleans at the time.." I said..

"He played the Trumpet in a small jazz band...After being at Essence Fest all week...I wandered around into the local clubs in New Orleans and I caught him and his band...After his set we got to talking and we became friends...We kept in touch over the phone and a relationship bloomed..A year later..He retired from the New Orleans Police department and moved to Philadelphia and looked me up...and I gave him a job as an Investigator at my little boutique law practice and within a few months we got married." said Olivia..

"Awwwww that's a sweet story....He appears to be a much better husband than your first husband.."said Angela..

''Ohhhh myyy godddd 100 percent better....This is the man I should have married in the first place.." said Olivia.

I smiled..

"Awww he's blushing...It's okay...Olivia is a lovely girl.."said Angela, who also had a law degree...she was both an Attorney and a Financial Planner...

Frank Attaway was an attorney who had once worked with Olivia at Bach and Bach....He had dated Olivia briefly...and now like Olivia, had a law practice of his own in one of the high rises down town..He had a para -legal, and an Administrative Assistant...That was it...Still, he did good business..He hired investigators when he needed them...

He had taken a liking to Angela Mitchell years ago, when she was helping Olivia with her finances...Only problem was , Angela was then and still is ,very married..

She once again removed his wandering hands from up under her dress and off her legs..

Our drinks arrived at our table..

"Not a liquor man eh Donnie Ray?" asked Frank Attaway.

"I'm driving.."I said diplomatically..

''Spoken like a true attorney's husband...You've got him trained well Livy.."laughed Frank..

"Oh Hush up Frank....The man does what he wants.."laughed Olivia.. "Speaking of husbands, how is Len?" asked Olivia.

"Oh he and his brother's business is doing great....He's constantly on the go.. Getting new clients...He's out of town now..In Los Angelas...I haven't seen him in a month...He's supposed to be coming home this weekend.."said Angela.

This drew a groan from Frank Attaway. It was known that he'd carried a torch for Angela Mitchell for years...

Her phone rang...

"Ohhh speak of the devil....It's Len...I have to take this..excuse me guys.."said Angela.

''Oh Sure...Go ahead.."said Olivia..

''Don't let us stop you." I said.

II-

"Hey Baby....How are you doin, this is Lenny..." said Len Mitchell..

''Heyyy Honey....I've sure been missin you..I can't wait until tomorrow night when you come home.."said Angela Mitchell.

"That's what I called about baby.... I won't be coming home Friday, I'm still in L.A.....Business snafu.. You know how it is.. Maybe I'll make it in by Sunday...I'm so sorry baby.." he said.

"Ohhh Len...I bought something extra special to wear for you in the bedroom that I know you'd like."cooed Angela..

"Awwww lawwwd girl...I'm gettin hard just thinkin about it...Ummmmmm, well you keep it warm until Sunday Night okay baby?" he said.

"Okay baby!" said Angela, hanging up and looking sad...

What she couldn't know was that her husband was actually in Philadelphia ,across town at Bottom of the C. restaurant...

"You're back..." said the woman..

"Yeah, had to reschedule a uh business deal.." said Len

"You know, when I lived in Philly...I always wanted to eat at this restaurant...MARRYING YOU was a big come up for me.." said the woman...

"Speaking of that...Come here....Walk me to the men's room.." said Len..

"You are soooo bad...Walk you to the men's room...Tee Hee." she giggled as she got up and followed him..

Beverly and Nelson were sitting not too far from them, enjoying their meal..

''Stop staring at me Nelson and eat..."said Beverly...

"I-I-I can't help it...you look so...so...so sexy.." he said..

"I must...I've caught a couple of guys in here...breaking their necks....but all this...everything in this dress is YOURS...ALL YOURS...AS MUCH AS YOU WANT!!" she said and smiled and leaned over and gave him a sweet kiss.

A kiss that sent Nelson in orbit...

"WOWWW! Years ago when we were working at the Public Defenders Office I could only dream of ever hearing you say that to me...In fact I couldn't even dream of it.." said Nelson..

''Well, you're not dreaming now ....I was a fool...I missed out on all this good loving and happiness searching for my Knight in Shining Armor and he was right under my nose the whole time, working with my Auntay...She kept telling me that you were the guy I needed , but I didn't listen..I kept thinkin a fly guy, fast talking, smooth slickster was what I wanted...I'm going to spend the rest of my life making you the happiest man ever ,because you've made me the happiest girl ever..."said Beverly...

"You already made me the happiest man alive...You did that a longggg time ago..."said Nelson..

"aWWWWWW" said Beverly and they continued to kiss as their entree's arrived..

Meanwhile in the Men's room....just a few feet away...

"Ouuuuuuuuuuu tee heee hee...Ohhhhhhh my god!" screamed the woman..

"Ummmmmmmmmmm" she moaned as Lenny lifted her up...slipped her panties down and off and began moving inside of her slowly...

"OHHHHHHHH WIFEY!!!" moaned Lennny...

"UMMMMMMMMM HUSBAND!" she moaned..

"OHHHHHHHH.....AWWWWWWWWWWW!" he moaned as he plopped on a bench and this woman began to move up and down on him slowly...driving him insane...

Beverly and Nelson were finishing their meals when Lenny and his "wife " returned to their table..

"I love you sooo much husband.." said the woman..

"Not as much as I love you baby!" said Lenny..

As their meals arrived..

At Red Booth, Both Olivia and I had excused ourselves, while

"Frank ,just because Olivia and Donnie Ray excused themselves doesn't give you permission to grope me, now move your hands.." said Angela Mitchell.

Frank Attaway frowned..

"Baby...for six long years, ever since I met you , you've known how I feel about you..."he said..

"Frank, I'm a happily married woman...and you know that, you've always known that.."said Angela..

"I know.....but your husband, Lenny...Something funny about him...He's gone a lot, and he never takes you...Nobody goes on that many business trips....Don't you find that weird? It's his brother's business and yet he's always the one going away somewhere...doesn't that strike you as a bit strange.?" asked Frank..

"My brother in law doesn't have the people skills, He's not as personable as my husband..My husband brings in the new clients...My brother in law is better at the books, handling the money and the day to day...But Lenny is soooo charismatic...He's the real go getter /" gushed Angela..

"You think that....but I'm telling you ,It doesn't look right for a married man to be gone as much as he is..I think something shysty is going on...You need to look into it."said Frank.

"Stop it Frank...Just stop it...I trust my husband...You need to get over me and find yourself someone just for you..."said Angela as Olivia and I returned..

"Heyyy guys...We are going to call it a night...It was nice meeting up with you again....Angie , thanks for your help....I'm once again in your debt.."said Olivia.

"It was nice meeting you both.." I said.

"Same here pal....You gotta let me know the next time you're playin at Josie's...I'll come through."said Frank Attaway...

Angie's phone rang...

''Hmmmmm, Unknown number....I wonder who this is?" she said as she answered the phone..

"Hello, you don't know me, but I know you and I know you think your husband was away on businesss in Los Angelas...Well that's a lie...He's been here in Philadelphia the whole three weeks he told you he's away on business...If you don't believe me...Drive over to Bottom of the C. Dollar Bill's joint..You can catch him right now!"

(Click!)

Angela got a look of pure dread on her face...

"Angie? You Alright ??What's the matter babe?" asked Olivia..

"I-I Have to go..." was all she would say...

''Can we drop you off somewhere?" I asked..

"No thank you...My car is in the parking lot across the street...I-I have to go...It was nice seeing you again Liv and meeting your husband, Donnie Ray.."said Angela as she rushed out the door..

"I wonder what that was about?" asked Frank Attaway...

III-

At Bottom of the C restaurant..

"Baby, I'm ready to go home...How about you?" asked Lenny..

"Awww Honey Bunny, I don't feel like that drive over the Bridge....Let's get a hotel room for the night and go home in the morning."said the woman , whose name was Diane Harris- Mitchell, a realtor....

"LENNY!!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? YOU SAID YOU WERE STILL IN L.A. AND WHO IS THIS WOMAN?" screamed Angela....

Lenny Mitchell looked like he had swallowed a canary....He began to sweat profusely....His well kept secret was out of the bag now....

"Uh....Uh.....Ohhhhhhh shit....Uh.... Angie....I-I , this is not what it looks like...I uh...I can explain...." said Lenny...

"LENNY!!! WHO IS THIS WOMAN?" screamed Diane...

"THIS WOMAN IS HIS WIFE OF SIX YEARS...I AM MRS. ANGELA MITCHELL OF PHILADELPHIA PA...WHO ARE YOU?" screamed Angela as The woman looked on in Horror.

"I'M HIS WIFE OF FIVE YEARS...DIANE HARRIS-MITCHELL...OF CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY!" she exclaimed..

Nelson, sitting a table across from them and hearing the entire conversation's mouth was wide open..

"OUUUUU WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...Ole Boy has got a lot of explaining to do...." he laughed..

"AWWWWWW SUKI SUKI NOWW!" said Beverly, smiling and watching this scene play out...

"OH MY GODDD! THIS EXPLAINS ALL OF THOSE "BUSINESS TRIPS" you were taking..When you'd be gone for close to a month..You weren't on the West Coast or Europe...You were right here in Philly...Ohhhhh You Lying Liar...OUUUUUUU!" screamed the woman..

"Uh Er Ruhhh,I was on Business trips sometimes....I really was..."said Lenny..

Both women picked up the two drinks that was on the table and poured them over his head...

"Don't bother coming home tonight...I'm putting your things in boxes and leaving them on the porch...We are done...Ohhhh you dog ! You can have him!" screamed Diane Harris - Mitchell, who stormed out of the restaurant...

"You'd better get yourself a room for the night...Your things will also be in a box on the porch..You Cassanova....Oh My godddd! I believed you, I trusted you....She's not just a mistress, She's a whole nother wife...HOW COULD YOU?" screamed Angela Mitchell as she stormed out in tears...

Lenny took a table napkin and wiped the drink out of his hair....His suit was drenched...He stood up....He paid his bill and slinked out..

"One of those women...The one that came in here, I recognize...I know her...She's a lawyer too and a Financial Planner..She used to work with Auntay at her old firm...She helped her get her finances together, right after the divorce..Which helped her buy the property we live and work in and invest properly to help us generate cashflow when we were just getting started...Her name is....Angie..Angela Mitchell, yeah that's her...This must be her husband..."said Beverly..

"That other woman said he was HER HUSBAND!" said Nelson laughing..

"Goofball....You're MY HUSBAND....and right now...I want to go home with you and make love all night...I'll ask Auntay in the morning.." said Beverly..

"CHECK PLEASE!" said Nelson loudly...

Beverly cracked up laughing...

"Goofball!" she said.

Sometime that night while Beverly and Nelson were heading home....At the Condo where Angela and Lenny called home... Yelling and screaming was heard....Then five gunshots....then one loud scream...A male voice and then a thud...

IV-

THE NEXT MORNING-

A Friday Morning...We were all having breakfast in our apartment.. None of us had any pending cases, so we were just winding down...

Hot coffee was brewing...

Pancakes

Hash Browns

and sausages...

"Auntay, remember that woman, that financial planner, Zoey hooked you up with when you starting this firm, right after your divorce from Bumm Ass Elwood,Angela Mitchell...Well we saw her last night..She came in the restaurant and caught her husband with another woman, who said SHE WAS HIS WIFE!.."said Beverly..

"Mannnnnnnn that guy looked like the cat who swallowed the canary...Both women were pissed as you can imagine and they dumped two drinks on his head and told him not to bother to come home..either home!"said Nelson, cracking up...

"Awwwww Suki Suki now." laughed Beverly's mom, Alfreda , our office manager, who had joined us upstairs for breakfast...

"Oh My god...She was our guest at Red Booth last night...She and another ex-colleauge of mine..We ran into both of them at Mulberry Street...We went to see Reed Nelson and his Quintet play and we all wound up in Red Booth for drinks..She got two phone calls..One she said was from her husband, saying he would be in Los Angelas until Sunday.......And here he was in Philly the whole time...Well I'll be and with another woman? Claiming to be his wife??? Oh My God! That's what that second call must have been...She looked like she'd seen a ghost and left the three of us there." said Olivia...

"I'd be interested in knowing who that second call was from....Whoever it was tipped his wife off that he was there at Bottom of the sea with another woman." I said.

"Ummmmmmmmm Umm Ummmmph! I know he knew that he had stepped in it last night when he was confronted by both of his wives."laughed Alfreda.. "Nasty Dog!" she added..

''Wowwwwww you guys had an interesting night....I was home watching Netflix, sick as a dog."said Josie.

"You feelin better today baby?" asked Olivia...who thought of Josie as dearly as she did her niece, Beverly...

"Oh yes...much better...Glad we have a light day..." said Josie.

"Glad we got all of that filing done...We can just chill." said Beverly....

At this very moment...

at the condo where Angela and Lenny Mitchell call home..

Photos were being taken and the condo was being dusted for Prints and DNA...

"There are a lot Prints and DNA in this place Doc."said one of the Forensic specialists and Crime Scene Investigators..

"I would expect there would be...A man and his wife lived here..."said Hazel..."Who is he?" she asked.

"His name is Lenwood Mitchell...He's an Advertising Executive. He and his brother run an advertising agency... He was hit with three gunshot wounds to the chest...one to the arm and the kill shot, to the head.." said another worker.

"Where is his wife?" asked Hazel...

"I don't know..She's not here.." said another worker...

A gun was found in the corner...It was warm...

Lt. Tragg was just coming in....He looked around....

"Whoa....looks like somebody lit this guy up.....Is that the murder weapon? "he said looking at the gun in the corner and lifting it with a pen...and motioning for another police officer to place the gun in a plastic bag..

"It could be....It was smoking when we arrived..."said Hazel... "The killer wore gloves because there is no fingerprints on the gun and possibly no DNA...but we'll know after we test it.."said Hazel..

''Where is the wife?" asked Lt. Tragg.

"We don't know...She wasn't here when we got here." said Hazel.

"Okay guys, get all of the manpower you need, question everybody in this building and the buildings behind it..Check the Street cams ,Traffic Cams and ATM cams...Check all of these stores around here, and I want reports and fast..."said Lt. Tragg...