VENTURES: Virginia and Tanya

PRELUDE-

An unusual beginning for our story...

A Parole Board Hearing for a disbarred attorney convicted and sentenced to Life for a murder and attempted murder 7 years before..

Her name was Virginia Shaw...

She had called her friends, Olivia Bennett-Alexander, and her team to attend her hearing.. They weren't her attorneys , Jessica and Charles Burrows were.. but she wanted them there. They agreed to come. She was grateful for that.

Ms. Yvette was also there...because she like Olivia and her crew knew Virginia Shaw when she practiced law..

The Board was not intimidated in the least by all of the attorneys present... They and they alone made the final decision and there was little to nothing any of the attorneys could do about it...They might appeal the decision or ask for another hearing...but that would have to be at a later date.

They allowed Virginia to wear her own clothing, something she hadn't done in 7 years... She looked good. She had on make up and had her hair done. A new dress and everything.. All supplied by Jessica and Chip.

"Ms. Virginia Shaw...You were convicted of Second Degree Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Murder and sentenced to Life... Since you have been incarcerated you have been a model prisoner..not one disciplinary write up in 7 years... You attend Chapel regularly...You have taught female inmates how to read and write and basic math skills.. More so you have helped close to 75 young women write writs and briefs and get their time reduced , get new trials and actually get released... You used the talents of Olivia Bennett-Alexander, Beverly West -East, Nelson East, Josie Boyd and Donnie Ray Alexander to secure the freedom of Cora Bey, accused of Murder... We believe that you are a model of redemption and reform and even though you have been disbarred and can not practice law anymore, the fact that you have secured a promise of employment if released is very promising... There for we are granting you parole... You are to check in with your parole officer twice a month...Go in peace Ms. Shaw." said the parole board.

They all clapped.

"WOUUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEE!! I thought I'd never be free again...I didn't think I'd ever walk out of there." said a contrite and remorseful Virginia Shaw... crying profusely and hugging her attorneys, Jessica Sanchez-Burrows and her husband, Chip Burrows who had successfully advocated for her and helped her get her parole, 7 years into a life sentence.

''Thank you so much...Thank you." Virginia said, in tears.

"Thank you for being so easy a client... You record was exemplary....Trust me, we've had much more difficult cases..Cases that we won...You were a piece a cake."said Jessica Sanchez Burrows

"Yes indeed." said her husband Chip..

"Olivia...Beverly, Donnie Ray, Nelson....I haven't seen you guys in sooo long, Thank you for coming out...I see Ms Josie Boyd is now an Attorney, no longer a Para-legal huh? and you've added a new attorney...Must be nice...You must be doing Good." said Virginia.

''She's Mrs. Josie Boyd now.. She's married.. She and her husband bought a house right across the street

from us." said Olivia

, hugging Josie and kissing her on the cheek.

''And this is my baby...Mrs. Bresha Billips, She interned with us after she passed the bar and we offered her a job with us about a year ago and I'm so glad she accepted." said Olivia.

hugging Bresha.

''And of course my first babies, My Neicey Poo, Beverly and her husband, Nelson.." said Olivia, hugging both of them.

"Congratulations Virginia..."said Beverly..

"Congratulations Virginia." said Nelson...

She hugged Donnie Ray..

"Hi Donnie Ray, you still takin care of my girl Olivia?" she asked.

''I do the best I can." he said. and laughed as she hugged him tightly..

She looked at Ms. Yvette and smiled.

"Yvette Jones... I never dreamed I'd be working for you...We went up against each other a half dozen times when I was an Assistant District Attorney...I always respected you and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me a second chance at life...I am soo humbled." she said.

''I was only too happy to help you Virginia.....We can use your experience around the office."said Ms. Yvette.

They all went to the building Virginia would be working in...The Bridge Building..

They decided to have lunch in their new cafeteria...

Virginia was awe struck at the building at everything.. It was all so much for her..

" Virginia in addition to your attorneys Jessica and Chip ,

who live next door to me, let me introduce you to my other neighbors who live on my street, who also happen to work in this building." said Yvette.

"Husband and wife attorneys , Jasmine and Dabnis Coley, They live in the next block...

Olivia's cousin and Attorney Kayla Bennett-St. Jacques and her husband, Attorney Ray St. Jacques, they live down the street from Me..

and Attorney Tony Billips, He's Olivia's new attorney, Bresha Billips's husband, they live on Jasmine's block..." said Yvette...

"WOWWWW and they live across the street from you Liv?" asked Virginia.

''Yess, right across the street.. My team is the only ones who don't work in this building..but we are all very close...All of us have worked together from time to time over the years.." said Olivia.

''Here come your future co-workers Now observed Beverly..

"Heyyy Keith ,Bee Bee, Sofia, Kahlil, Jade." said Nelson.

"Hey Guys."said Donnie Ray.

"Heyyy Keith ,Bee Bee, Sofia, Kahlil, Jade." by Josie.

"Heyyy Keith ,Bee Bee, Sofia, Kahlil, Jade." said Bresha.

''Heyyy Everybody." I said.

"Hiiiiiii" said Bee Bee.

''Hola"said Sofia.

"What's up guys?" said Kahlil.

We came in with Bee Bee and I, Sofia and Kahlil and Ms. Jade.. We wanted to meet our new office manager. We knew she was a paroled ex-con...and we knew she used to be an Attorney..a very flamboyant attorney.

"Guys this is Ms. Virginia Shaw, our new office manager.." said Ms. Yvette.

''Well Hello..." she said. She was very pretty..

"Virginia this is Attorney Keith Jones.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance.." I said.

His wife, Attorney Beatrice Evans- Jones.

"Hello...You can call me Bee Bee." said Bee Bee.

"This is Little Mamasita , Attorney Sofia Garcia -Ahmed.."

"Hola Mami" said Sofia with a smile..

and her husband, Attorney Kahlil Ahmed..

"Hello."said Kahlil.

"And last but not least...our investigator, Mrs. Jade Lee-Ho" said Ms. Yvette.

"Hello." said Ms. Jade.

"Such an Attractive group.. Such nice people, thank you for allowing me to work with you." said Virginia.

She felt warm ,being around all of these new young attorneys and being with her new staff....She almost felt like crying again..

She was going to like it here.

II-

We all finished our meals and took Virginia up to our office..

"Oh Yvette this is incredible... When I knew you, you were just an Associate Attorney at McCluskey/Cozen/Connor and Pratt and look at you now, A Partner...A Friggin Partner!!! Got your own Suite and staff, Four Attorneys and an Investigator... I'm proud of you baby girl.. I'm proud of Olivia too, got her own law firm... You girls are bosses...That's Black Girl magic.. I would have had that, I got greedy, I got involved with the wrong people and in short I was stupid... I implore you young people to stay honest and to work hard...Look at your boss lady...She didn't cut any corners..She stayed on it and she's a partner ....Me? I'm a disbarred attorney, all I have is the law, All I ever wanted to be was a lawyer.. I had that and I blew it..but at least being your office manager, I can be around the law still.."said Virginia to all of us..

We took it all in...She was a sobering experience for the four of us... We knew all about her..

VIRGINIA ELISE SHAW-

Born in Chicago .Illinois

Educated in Chicago Public Schools

B.A. -Trial Advocacy/ Pre Law/Administration of Justice/-Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois

J.D.- Northwestern School of Law, Evanston, Illinois

Passed the Bar in Illinois/ Ohio/Pennsylvania/New Jersey/New York/Deleware

Speaks Spanish and French Fluently

Chicago Public Defenders Office

Assistant District Attorney-Chicago

Personal Attorney for Mr. Henry Lott Sr. in Chicago and New York City

(Moved with him to Philadelphia.)

Philadelphia Public Defenders Office

Assistant District Attorney- Philadelphia

Married to U.S. Attorney, now Judge Stephen White, Divorced

Associate Attorney- Bach and Roach

Associate Attorney- Smith and Cohen

Associate Attorney- The Harris Group

Personal Attorney for Mr. Henry Lott Sr. full time

Convicted of Second Degree Murder, Conspiracy to commit murder

Disbarred

Life sentence, Paroled after 7 years.

Ms. Jade had given us the entire breakdown the week before.

We all had a vote the week before..

We all sat and voted unanimously that if Virginia Shaw was granted parole. We would hire her as our office manager.

Ms. Yvette cleared it with the Partners and she went to the Parole Board.. It was a done deal.

III-

"Virginia, it's Wednesday.... You just got out of prison, Get yourself together and report back here next Wednesday Morning..." said Ms. Yvette.

"Thank you Vettie girl...I am so grateful to you, Olivia...the whole gang... I gotta find some place to live.. It will be a lot cheaper than what I was used to..Condo life...you know?" laughed Virginia.

"Here is my realtors card...She sold all of us our homes, Including Olivia and Beverly...She'll find you a nice place in my area.."said Yvette.

"Thank you Vettie ,You have really been good to me.. I'm staying at a halfway house right now, but I plan to rectify that soon." she said,.

She headed to her Halfway house room.. It was comfortable and a far cry from what she had been used to when she lived in the top Condos in the middle of center city and commanded a six figure salary.

Those days were gone forever...She was a disgraced, disbarred former Attorney and an ex-convict...but had been given a break.. At least she was no longer incarcerated.. She was no longer in prison... She could see the sunlight, feel a warm breeze...Go to bed when she damn well pleased and she had a job..

A good job as an Office Manager at a nice law firm....in a great building with great people around her..

She unpacked her suitcase a little bit.. She looked at dossiers her parole officer had given her of the people she would now be working for and with....

KEITH JONES-

Born in Philadelphia PA.

Mother, Nancy Jones, Court Stenographer

Father, Judge Keith Morrison

Graduated from West Catholic High School

B.A. Administration of Justice, Trial Advocacy, Pre Law- Howard University

J.D.- University of Pennsylvania Law School

Fluent in Spanish, French, German

Passed Bar in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Deleware ,New York, Texas, California

Associate Attorney- McCluskey/Cozen/Connor/Pratt

Married to Beatrice Evans

BEATRICE LYNN EVANS -JONES

Born in Philadelphia PA.

Graduated from Philadelphia High School For Girls

B.A. -Administration of Justice, Trial Advocacy ,Pre Law- Temple University

J.D.-University of Pennsylvania Law School

Fluent in Spanish and French

Passed Bar in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Deleware, Texas, California

Associate Attorney- McCluskey /Cozen/Connor and Pratt

Married to Keith Jones

SOFIA CARMELITA GARCIA-AHMED

Born in Philadelphia PA.

Graduated from Philadelphia High School For Girls

B.A. -Administration Of Justice, Trial Advocacy, Pre Law-Temple University

J.D.-University of Pennsylvania Law School

Fluent in Spanish and French

Passed Bar in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Deleware and New York, Texas, California

Associate Attorney -McCluskey/Cozen/Connor and Pratt

Married to Kahlil Ahmed...

KAHLIL ABDUL AHMED

Born in Philadelphia PA.

Graduated from Central High School

BA.- Administration of Justice, Trial Advocacy, Pre Law- Temple University

JD- University of Pennsylvania Law School

Speaks Arabic languages fluently, fluent in German and Russian.

Passed Bar in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Deleware and New York, Texas, California

Associate Attorney-McCluskey/Cozen/Connor and Pratt

Married to Sofia Garcia

YVETTE DENISE JONES-LOCKWOOD

Born in Philadelphia PA.

Graduated from North Catholic High School

BA-Trial Advocacy, Pre Law, Administration of Justice -Lasalle University

JD -University of Pennsylvania Law School

Fluent in Spanish, French and Russian

Passed Bar in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Deleware , New York, Texas, California.

Associate Attorney-McCluskey/Cozen/Connor and Pratt

Senior Associate Attorney-McCluskey/Cozen/Connor and Pratt

Managing Partner- McCluskey/Cozen/Connor and Pratt

Married to District Attorney Investigator-Gary Lockwood.

She basically wanted to know about us, Me, Bee Bee, Sofia and Kahlil... She was impressed with our records.. She kind of knew Yvette since they had gone up against each other in court a number of times..

She knew Yvette's husband, D.A. Investigator, Gary Lockwood..

Last time she had been on the street, He had been a Detective, A Lieutenant in Internal Affairs...He was in the D.A.'s office now and had married Yvette...Wow!

They all were doing good and they all lived in the same close knit neighborhood.

There was a knock at the door of her room...

It was Judge Jetty Dukes of the Legal Ethics Board...

"Virginia...Virginia...You're out!" he said.

"My goodness...You couldn't wait...Could you? I just got here..I'm just unpacking." said Virginia.

''Is that anyway for you to speak to your benefactor? After all.. I was the one who asked for a review of your prison record.. I was the one who called in a favor to old Slim Johnson of the Innocence Project and he put his best two attorneys on your case before the Parole Board.. And I put the bug in Olivia and Beverly's ear to back them up and also in Yvette Jones's ear to offer you employment.." he said.

"Well, you did do all of that, even when I thought it doubtful that I'd ever see the light of day again..I owe you that Jetty....but I know you.. You don't do favors without getting something back in return and judging by that huge bulge in your trousers...I think I know what it is you want." said Virginia..

"Heh Heh Heh...you've been locked up for seven years baby....Don't you want it?" he asked..Taking his suit jacket off, unloosening his tie, taking his shirt off, stepping out of his shoes and socks.. and unbuckling his trousers..

"Myyy goodness...You can't wait can you?" said Virginia,laughing... She did want it..She wanted it badly, but she didn't want to seem desperate. She had after all been cool for 8 years.

He pulled her to him and kissed her slowly and passionately......and slipped her dress over her head..

He did smell good and he did know how to kiss a woman and she hadn't been with a man in nearly eight years...

Her body trembled...and she began feeling sensations she thought she had forgotten...

"Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuJudge Dukes...Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu"she moaned.

"Call me Jetty Baby, Heh heh heh!" he laughed..

"Jetty!" she whispered.

Back when she was an Assistant District Attorney and he was a Judge, he had tried mightily to get her in the bed..

Even inviting her into the Judges Chambers..where they kissed a bit, but they had never quite gotten there.

He had also been part of the Board that Disbarred her when She was convicted of Second Degree Murder and Conspiracy.. but I suppose she could forgive him.. He was widely responsible for her being free, something she never thought would ever happen..

He slipped her panties down.....

They stood in the middle of the floor kissing passionately....

He lifted her up and entered her slowly and softly...He knew it had been awhile..

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU....UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM...OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH..." she moaned.

"It's alright baby...Jetty will be gentle...He won't hurt you baby..OUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" he whispered..

She felt warm, safe, good...Today couldn't have been any better....

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU..WOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU....OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" she cooed...

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU SOCK IT TO ME JETTTY,UMMMMMMMM PUT IT ON ME!" she moaned. As he sat her on the small drawer and began to pound a little faster..

"AWWWW..AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW...OUUUUUUUUUU..AWWWWWWWW LAWD!" he moaned.

She moved up and down on him on her hard, uncomfortabe ,lumpy bed..

"OUUUUUUUU JETTY MY GOODNESS!" she cooed.

She began to ride him like a surfer rides the waves..

"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! GOOOD LAWWWD!! UMMMMMMMMM!" he moaned..

They made love for the next NINE TO TEN HOURS!!

Her bed squeaking and the headboard almost shaking itself loose...

Jetty couldn't bring himself to stop...

Virginia had had about three intense orgasms...She didn't want him to stop...

It was near daybreak and they were still kissing passionately..

Doing it doggystle in the window, where Virginia looked out and could see the early morning traffic, People going to work...She was having another intense orgasm... She hadn't felt this good in years and old horn dog supreme, Jetty Dukes was really giving it to her.

They finished up on the floor...doggy style with Jetty coming so hard, she thought he had passed out..

"UMMMMMMMPH , LAWD HAVE MERCY!" he said , trying to catch his breath....

He got up, stumbled to the bathroom and washed up and got dressed...

"Ohhhh...Ohhhhhhhhh.."he moaned.. He was still trying to catch his breath... "Friday......Friday, I'll take you out for Dinner and Drinks...Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu girl..." he said.

"Are you Okay?" Virginia asked..

"Yeah...Yeah..whoooooooooooo girrrrrl you really put it on me..Ohhhh Lord.." he moaned as he stumbled out into the early morning air..

He got on his phone and called out for today!

Virginia got back in bed , curled up and went to sleep , a very peaceful sleep.

IV-

SUNDAY-

Everybody met at Curley's Bar to watch the football game, Alfreda Johnson, Olivia and Beverly's office manager had a caterer friend who put together a cold cut tray with meats and cheeses , mayo, mustard and rolls for sandwiches as well as condiments..

She sat on her boyfriend, ADA Rockland Cambridge's lap.... .

There was a table of beers and martini's. She had really laid out a nice spread.

Ms. Yvette and our whole crew was there, Gary, Myself, Bee Bee, Sofia, Kahlil, Ms. Jade and Danny Ho...

''This was great..Alfreda and her caterer really out did themselves.." said Ms. Yvette.

"Man, I must say...It has been so enjoyable with Lt. Tragg out on that boat...If he wasn't... No way we could have set this up and enjoyed ourselves." said Gary...

"I know right? I'm really going to hate it when his 60 days are up..."I said, sighing..

''Well don't think about it...Enjoy it now.." said my wife, Bee Bee, smiling.

"Yes...enjoy!" said Sofia, making snadwiches for the four of us.

''You know, the four of us have been a clique since college, but I feel like we are a part of an even larger clique." said Kahlil..

"I can agree with that..." said Jade..

"Mmmmmmm pass me some mustard baby." said Danny , who was making sandwiches..

Ms. Olivia and her crew was also present..Donnie Ray, Beverly, Nelson, Josie, Paris, Bree and Tony..

"Pass me some Mayo." said Olivia, who was making sandwiches for her and her husband, Donnie Ray.

"This is sooo nice... All we are missing is a band and this would be just like home in New Orleans." said Donnie Ray, who was busy making sandwiches..

''This is soooo nice, sooo relaxing."said Beverly.

''Isn't it though?" said her husband, Nelson..

Josie was busy making sandwichs for her and her husband, Paris.

"The Game should be starting in a few minutes.."said Paris...Happy to be surrounded by his girlfriend and their other friends..

''Are you happy baby?" asked Bresha, sitting on her husband's lap..

"I'm mad happy baby."said Tony, who truly was happy.

We took up all of the tables in a section of the bar....

Curley, the bar owner and a retired homicide detective was only too happy to have all of us there..We ordered a lot of drinks and tipped well..

"Look out guys, here comes the second sandwich tray and condiments.." He said as we all clapped. It arrived in time because we were putting a dent in the first tray...

Jazzy, Dabnis, Kayla, Ray, Jessie and Chip all joined our party....

"Heyyyy guys..Sorry we are late." said Jazzy as she and her husband , Kayla and Ray and Jessica and Chip took up the remaining seats..

''Well at least the game didn't start yet." said Dabnis.

"Ouuuuuu sandwiches..."said Kayla.

"Beer !" laughed her husband Ray....

"I was hoping Virginia would come.." said Jessica.

"Your wish was granted there she is.." said her husband, Chip...

Virginia walked in..She looked sensational...Not at all like an ex-con or even a recently released con...

She smiled.. She looked at her new building mates and her new office mates and long time friends, and smiled. She felt warm,welcomed...and most of all comfortable.. She was grateful to be invited to this party...

She had been practicing law a lot longer than most of them with the exception of Olivia and Yvette..and she was even a few years older than the two of them...She was sorry she would no longer be going into court or into a tense negotiation, but at least she'd be close to it.. She'd be working in a law office, with attorneys she trusted and who so far didn't treat her like a convict or outsider...She saw herself as being an advisor, a voice of reason, someone who would allow the younger ones to pick her brain from time to time.

The best thing was ,she was free.

Sitting across from us on the other side of the bar was Pennsylvania States Attorney

Tanya Mosley, who was running for re-election and was now under federal indictment for lying about experiencing COVID-related hardship on an application where she asked to withdraw $83,000 from her Philadelphia retirement account. she was sitting with her attorney..

Alvin Davis.

"They're having quite a wing ding over there." noted Alvin Davis, smiling.

"That's Yvette Jones-Lockwood..She put together the defense of Olivia Bennett-Alexander last year... If the so called best defense attorneys money can buy went to her when THEY needed a lawyer.. She is who I need... And I want Olivia and Beverly too..They beat this son of a bitch Bill Strong ."said Tanya.