Moving Heaven and Earth

 

      

Olivia Marissa Bennett-Alexander

Graduated , Philadelphia High School for Girls

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

J.D.-University of Pennsylvania Law School

Passed the Bar, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Deleware, Louisiana, Texas, California

 Speaks French and Spanish Fluently...

Worked as a Public Defender, -Philadelphia PA.

Worked for Bach and Roach LLC, as Associate Attorney

Founding partner-Alexander & West , Attorneys at law..

Divorced- Elwood Barnes..,Corporate Attorney 

No Children, two miscarriages..

Married-Donnie Ray Alexander

Beverly Cheryl West-East

Graduated , Philadelphia High School for Girls

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

J.D.-University of Pennsylvania Law School

Passed the Bar, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Deleware, Louisiana, Texas, California

 Speaks French and Spanish Fluently...

Worked as a Public Defender,-Philadelphia PA.

 Founding Partner-Alexander & West Attorney's at Law.

Daughter of Olivia's Older Half Brother, James West... Olivia's Niece

Married to Nelson East.

Nelson Sean East

Graduated, West Catholic High School-Philadelphia PA.

B.A. Administration of Justice, Pre-Law- St. Johns University, New York City
Psychology Minor...

J.D. -St. Johns University Law School, New York City..

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

Speaks Spanish , French and Russian Fluently...

Worked as Public Defender, -Philadelphia PA.

 Associate Attorney at Robert Foxworth and Associates.

Associate Attorney at Alexander and West , Attorneys at law.

Married to Beverly West

Donnie Ray Alexander

Born and Raised in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Educated in New Orleans Public Schools..

Associates Degree- New Orleans Community College-Administration of Justice, Pre Law

Homicide Detective, New Orleans Police Department, Retired.

Principal Investigator, Alexander and West Attorneys at law-Philadelphia PA.

Married to Olivia Bennett

Also a semi-professional musician

Josephine Boyd

Born in Philadelphia PA.

Raised in Red Hook Section of New York City 

Bachelors of Science, Architecture from Fisk University

Master in Business Administration- University of Pennsylvania.

Para -Legal -Alexander & West Attorneys at law.

JD- Drexel  University -The Thomas Kline Law School..

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

Associate Attorney-Alexander & West, Attorneys at Law, Philadelphia.

Married to Paris Boyd

Bresha Billips

Graduated from Philadelphia High School For Girls

B.A. Administration of Justice,/ Trial advocacy /Pre Law- Lasalle University, Philadelphia PA.

J.D.- Middleton Law School, Bayside ,Pennsylvania.

Passed the bar, Pennsylvania, Deleware, New Jersey, New York, California.

Speaks Spanish and French Fluently...

Associate Attorney at Alexander and West , Attorneys at law...

Married to Attorney Tony Billips.

THE OFFICE OF SPECIAL PROSECUTOR, MICHAEL  LAWRENCE,,

Michael Lawrence studied the information on us.....

"They beat me twice....I should have known a little more about them.....Three are PENN graduates...They all seem very astute....

.And as someone who has followed Olivia's career for years...I know she has trained them all well.. Especially that cute little niece of hers..and her niece's husband.." he said speaking of

her niece ,Beverly...

and her husband, Nelson, who had been with Olivia the longest....

"I've got the book on them and on this case..I'll be ready for them this time." said Michael Lawrence, confident that he had this case in the bag...

 And at the "Fishbowl."

"You know , you could make it easy on yourself...If you confess and save the state a big trial.. You'll almost certainly get some years in prison...knowing Olivia and Beverly like I know em...You may even see the light of day and get out one day...They're pretty good lawyers as lawyers go...but if you force a trial....That guy Michael Lawrence....He really burns for you....He's gonna put you on the table ,make sure you get a needle...Is that what you want Lincoln?" whispered Lt. Tragg...

"I want some coffee....I've been in here for over eight hours....That's what I want..." said Lincoln..

"And that's what we brought you...Good Coffee...Not the swill they probably serve you here." said Beverly..

Putting a hot Thermos filled with good coffee in front of him..

Lincoln looked up...

"OLIVIA, YOU GOT MY MESSAGE!" he said, smiling for the firs time.. 

 "I certainly did and I'm here....Lt. Tragg I am going to respectfully ask for the room ,so I can talk to my client.." said Olivia.

To our surprise...Lt. Tragg smiled snarkily...

"But of course ." he said and quietly walked out and slammed the door.

I was a cop, A Homicide detective in New Orleans... I knew that although they aren't supposed to be...These interrogation rooms are bugged...The cops are outside listening and possibly watching the entire thing. I motioned to Olivia and all of the attorneys not to say anything leading..

"You just sit tight Lincoln...Don't say anything to anybody about your case...We are going to get you arraigned as soon as possible...just go to your cell and be ready." Olivia whispered.

''Don't talk to cops, guards and especially other inmates up in the jail cells about your case." said Beverly.

'everybody is looking for an angle to get out of here...Trading information on a high profile prisoner is the easiest way...So button it up." advised Nelson..

"We got some charactor witnesses that will vouch for you..."said Josie.

"And a bail Bondsman.." said Josie.

Lt. Tragg was in a side room watching and trying to listen to everything... We were whispering...So he couldn't hear anything... He only saw us talking and Lincoln drinking the hot coffee..

"Nothing like good hot coffee...Thanks Liv....

"Oh and Gail is with us....she's safe." whispered Beverly...

Lincoln smiled..

"Thank you ...I was worried about her." said Lincoln.

"You just sit tight...everything is going to be alright." said Olivia.

 

We had been by his apartment with Gail and she had packed an overnight bag for him already....

He gave Nelson his car keys... Nelson was going to go by his place and get his car, bring it to our place..

"You just sit tight Lincoln." said Beverly...

"Yeah..we're gonna get you out of here." said Nelson.

"Take care Lincoln." said Josie.

"Yes, take care Lincoln." said Bresha as we walked out of the police station.

Lincoln was handcuffed and led to the elevator that would take him to the holding cells above..

to await his arraignment.

II-

NIGHT TIME- 8:00 PM... TUESDAY NIGHT!

Yvette's team and ours had used this gimmick a few times... "Night Courting" a client , we called it.

We usually arraigned a client the traditional way...but this was special circumstances.

NIGHT COURT- Just a few hours later.

In Philadelphia, Night Court only operates two nights a week....Tuesday and Thursday, Tonight was Thursday...and fortunately...We got an arraignment date of 8:00 pm. 

The Judge in this case would not be the Judge in the actual case....

Lt. Tragg was not there... Night court was too low profile for him...Neither was Michael Lawrence, who surprisingly didn't know anything about Night Court...No witnesses...No media..and a bunch of  Judges  and ADA's who were mostly older Judges and ADA's about to retire...It was lightweight. It was in session from 7:00 pm- 10:00 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays...We were quite fortunate to get a date.

The ADA that did show up was not going to be the ADA that tried the case...He had only the basic out line of the case at hand... He basically wanted to go home...So he didn't really put up much of a fight.

"I know you didn't expect to be taken out of your cell this late at night..but I told you we were going to get you out of here." saud Olivia.

"I trust you baby...but you're right...I didn't expect this.....I didn't know the courts were open this late at night.." said Lincoln.

"Only on Tuesday and Thursday Nights...From 7:00 to 10:00 pm." said Beverly.

We presented 10 charactor witnesses , all from the courthouse.

Olivia, Beverly, Nelson, Josie and Bresha presented 2 witnesses a piece...

"As you can see , iur client is a solid citizen...with no criminal record, who has been falsely accused of a crime with very suspicious , circumstantial evidence." said Olivia.

"This is the work of an over zealous police detective, in love with making a big headline." said Beverly...

"And Possibly a Egotisitical Special Prosecutor with an axe to grind and a personal vendetta against our client." said Nelson..

"Our client looks forward to his day in court  so he can defend himself against these outrageous charges."argued Josie...

"We are prepared to offer a vigourous defense and we give our word, our client will show up at any and every hearing he is supposed to show up at." said Bresha.

I smiled.. This was the same song and dance we had used before and had been very successful..Somewhere, somehow, our luck was going to run out with this..I was just hoping it wouldn't be this time..

Lincoln Lewis...although just recently having been acquitted of multiple charges in a big case was a solid citizen...He had no priors and no criminal record...He was released on his own recognizance..without bail..and surprisingly without having to wear an ankle monitor..

"I don't believe it....Liv, Bev, Donnie Ray, Nelson...Mrs. Boyd, Mrs. Billips...you all are the absolute truth....You will definitely be kept on retainer when this is all over." said Lincoln..

Our Bail Bondsman laughed...

"Well it looks like I'm not needed here..." he said.

"No, I suppose not..Thanks for coming anyway." I said..

We left the courthouse with our client, a free man for the time being.

We took him to our place and down in our sub-basement , where he was reunited with his fiance, Gail Reddick..

"OHHHHHHHH LINCOLN, LINCOLN....YOU'RE FREE!" said Gail...

"For the time being baby, I am..Come here, give daddy some sugar....." said Lincoln..

Taking her in his arms and kissing her passionately...

"I think they can handle it from here.." I said smiling..

"Yes I agree..." laughed Olivia..

"Good Night Jo, Bree...Tell your husbands we owe them.."said Beverly....

"Good Night guys, see you in the morning.." said Josie..

"Good Nighttttt!" said Bresha.

''Good Night Girls" said Nelson..

NIGHTFALL-

We all retreated upstairs and others to their homes...It was nice we all lived on the same street. It was nice that it was about a quarter to ten...Not too late.

Downstairs in our sub-basement, Lincoln looked around..

"Nice set up they have here...They got a law library and a media room upstairs and they live above the conference room...I didn't know about this spare room .."said Lincoln..

"They gave me the full tour...This is a nice spot..." she said..

They stood in the dark ,staring into each other's eyes for a minute...

They stopped talking and kissed passionately....

"I missed you so much baby..." he moaned..

"Ummmmmmmm I missed you too." she said...

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM OUUUUUUUUUU I'VE  REALLY MISSED YOU!" said Lincoln ,kissing Gail.

"I'VE MISSED YOUR PENIS INSIDE ME!!....OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" said Gail, kissing him passionately...They fell up against the wall, 

"I'VE MISSED IT INSIDE YOU TOOO!!! OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MY GODDDDD!" he cried out...

She was so soft, smelled so good...she was driving him insane.....

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH....OHHHHHHH MY GOD!" he moaned as he slipped her panties down..

 and off...

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM" he moaned..

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" she moaned.

"OH MY GOODNESS !!!!!OUUUUUUUUUUUUWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" she screamed. He lifted her up and long stroked her..

"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MYYYYYYY GODDDDDD!!OUUUUUUUUUUU
WOUUUUUUUUU!" she screamed.

Her body trembled and she had a quick almost embarrassing orgasm....

He placed her on the dresser and began pounding into her..

"OHHHHHHH I'VE NEEDED THIS SOOO LONG!!!! OUUUUUUUUUU THAT CLOWN  MICHEAL LAWRENCE WANTED IT...BUT I WANTED TO WAIT FOR YOUUUUUUUU UMMMMMMMMM! THAT'S WHY I QUIT WORKING FOR HIM...I WANTED YOU" she yelled out...

She was having multiple orgasms.....

"AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW LAWWWDD,I REMEMBER, I REMEMBER HOW WET YOU USED TO GET...UMMMMMMMMMM!" he moaned..

HE LIFTED HER UP AND ENTERED HER AGAIN!!!

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!  WOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" she cooed.

"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! LAWDDDDDDDDDDD!" he moaned...

"AWWWWWWWWWWW LAWWWWD ,GAIL I'M LOSING MY MIND!" moaned Lincoln...

"OUUUUUUUU LOVE ME!! LOVE ME !!LOVE MEEEEEEEEEEE" she yelled out..

"BABY, I'M DOING MY BEST...OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU! " he screamed out....

She orgasmed again.....

"OUUUUUUUUUUUU!" she cooed, her body trembling, her head turning from side to side...tears streaming down the side of her face...

They made crazy love for the next EIGHT TO NINE HOURS....

They continued kissing...and making love on the floor for the next THREE TO FOUR HOURS.

"OUUUUUUUUU I'M ABOUT TO CUMMM AGAIN!!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MEEEEEEE?" she screamed...

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM" he moaned..Cumming so hard, he felt as if he were dying...

He hadn't had any sleep for the past 24 hours , nor food...but he still had enough in the tank to make sweet love to Gail....but now , he was totally exhausted....

They were both drenched in sweat.....

"Wouuuuuuuuuuuuuu there is a shower over there...we can take a nice shower together in the morning."said Gail as she rested on Lincoln's chest and slowly drifted off to sleep... Lincoln was already sound asleep and snoring..

She looked at him and smiled...

III-

THE OFFICE OF SPECIAL PROSECUTOR, MICHAEL  LAWRENCE.

"WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT?" yelled Michael Lawrence into his phone... "He was arraigned and released yesterday??  He was just arrested the day before..I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!" he screamed..

He was incensed....

"OLIVIA!!!! She and her little team are becoming more than just a nuisance to me!!!" he said to himself.

Meanwhile at our house ,we were all having breakfast...

We had buttermilk biscuits and gravy...

Shrimp and Cheese Grits..

Scrapple 

and hot coffee..

"Lawwwd have mercy, this is some damn good eatin.." said Lincoln, who was enjoying his food immensely , almost as much as he'd enjoyed Gail last night..

Gail sat next to him...

"Olivia...I think I'm going to move in with you If I can eat like this everyday.." she joked..

"I can't tell you how many of our guests have said that."laughed Olivia..

 

''Almost as many as have asked if she and Beverly are sisters, because there is only nine years in their age."I laughed.

"Oh I didn't have to ask that...I know Olivia's older brother Jimmy West...Great football player, all city, won two championships...he and I were in Jr. College together. I know Beverly is his daughter...I remember him bringing both of them to school for one of his games when he was in Junior college and playing semi -pro ball.... His little sister and his daughter...Everybody thought they both were so cute....Especially the ladies..I never in my wildest dreams thought that one day I'd be using their legal services.."laughed Lincoln... "How is your dad doing now of days?" asked Lincoln.

"He's in San-Francisco..He's married to an actress ,Melinda Jones-West and he has a Morning Talk show and a popular Podcast.." said Beverly...

Nelson smiled.. That explained why he hired them out of the blue...He knew who they were all along..Neither Olivia or Bev remembered him.

''Small World huh?" said Josie.

"Yeah ,How about that?" said Bresha.

Alfreda said nothing, she just smiled...She didn't know if he knew she was Beverly's mother...

After breakfast, we all met in the conference room...

"Last time you were on  trial we put you up in a hotel... This time, you'll be safer here with us ,in our sub-basement.."said Olivia.

 

"Both of you should disable your GPS on your phones." I said.

Beverly passed Lincoln a Portal...

"You'll be using this to talk to us...You'll basically be in the sub-basement,off the street and out of sight..You'll get your updates through this.." said Beverly...

"Use this phone if you have to call us...Even from here...It's a burner phone.. Don't call our personal phones or our business numbers..." said Nelson..

"You're up against a Special Prosecutor who is desperate to put you away...It's like a personal vendetta."said Josie.

"Yes...It would be best if he can't get to either of you." said Bresha.

"It's me...I'm partially the reason."said Gail Reddick , who took her laptop and pulled up her information...

Gail Patrice Reddick-

Born in Philadelphia PA.

Graduated for Philadelphia High School for Girls..

B.A. Administration of Justice, Pre-Law, Trial Advocacy - Columbia University. New York City

Minored  in International studies.

J.D.- Harvard University...

Speaks French, Spanish Russian  Fluently.

Passed the Bar in Mass/ New York/CT/Pennsylvania/New Jersey/Deleware

Partner in Two New York CityLaw Firms

Elected County Attorney of Essex County, First African-American to hold that position.

After her term was up, she returned to Philadelphia.

She worked as a Federal Prosecutor, Her immediate supervisor was Micheal Lawrence.

Engaged....engagement broken off..

She left the U.S. Attorney's office.

Now in Private Practice, Engaged to Investment Banker, Lincoln Lewis.

"You were two years ahead of me at Girls High...wowwwww, small world.. You were engaged to this guy....and now you're with Lincoln....This explains so much.." said Olivia.

"He was breaking up with your friend, Brooke...

When he and I started going together...Oh how he hated her...Talked about her like a dog the entire time we were together....and he has a deep hatred for her husband, Sean Marks,

 says things to his supervisor about his job performance...Nasty stuff like that..When Sean put together that team and you guys overturned his case and won 19 acquittals That drove him insane... He's not used to losing...That was his first loss ever in a storied career.... and now he's lost to you again... He was furious that Brooke and Sean was involved in that case...but you guys being involved in it , beating him resoundingly recently and now involved in this has put a Bullseye on your backs." said Gail.

"When I broke up with him...He made it impossible for me to work in peace..He was my boss...and I got one negative performance evaluation after the other...So I quit...I've gone into private practice...but he's stalked me...He hates my fiance and when my fiance got into this trouble...He moved Heaven and Earth to prosecute him.." said Gail..

"I don't understand...Our case wasn't federal...It was a state case....and this isn't a federal case either.."said Josie.

"The Bastard talked to D.A. Gil Garcetti...and cut a deal and got put on the case...."said Lincoln.

"If I know right...He'll probably do the same thing with this trial if he hasn't done it already." said Bresha.

"We can't worry about him...We've got a case to win..."said Nelson..

''And we've already started working on your defense...We have Gail for an alibi....and we need to look at your GPs for your car and your phone... They'll provide location." said Beverly.

Gail smiled -"Olivia...you've done well.. Your associates are aces with me..." she laughed.

"We'll all be going out.. We drink on Friday Night at the No ID Bar...and Saturday we go there for Brunch...and perhaps we'll be going out to Bayside again...You and Lincoln are welcome to go with us..

You're not prisoners in the sub-basement...but it's safer if you enjoy each other's company out of sight and off the streets." said Olivia.

"Thank You Olivia.." said Lincoln Lewis..

"Thank You Olivia." said Gail.

IV-

For the next few days , we immersed ourselves in the case...

In the Law Library... Beverly, Josie and Bresha were as usual researching Laws, Predicates and Like cases related to this  and going through the  case file, autopsy report and crime scene reports and photos...

Beverly was also doing a cross check of boththe murdered man and his associate, trying to see if they had anything to do with their last case...involving wire fraud , mail fraud and extortion. What she found was interesting..

"These two guys may have been guilty of running the Ponzi scheme that Lincoln took a fall for.. Nobody ever looked at them close...but these records Donnie Ray found show us a lot." "said Beverly...

"They were into graft up to their necks..What if one got rid of the other to shield himself.?"said Josie.

"And then framed Lincoln because he either discovered what they were doing  or he knew all along and told them to shut it down..." said Bresha.

Next door in our  Media Room,

Nelson and I were looking at potential jurors for the case..

He too was looking at Case files, Autopsy Reports and Crime Scene Photos and Reports with me..

'We need to look at two of Lincoln's Business partners...the dead man ,Buddy Newton and this other guy..Daniel Sleigh ,,,These two guys may have been guilty of running the Ponzi scheme that Lincoln took a fall for.. Nobody ever looked at them close...but these records I  found show us a lot." I said.

"Okay, we nedd to be looking at educated jurors...Ideally, jurors that understand the financial world...Bitcoin and the like."said Nelson.

"Good Luck with that...but do the best you can." I said.

And in the conference room, Olivia was meeting with Lincoln and Gail via Portal.

They were both in the basement..

''Did you know what Sleigh and Buddy Newton were up to?" she asked.

"Not while I was on trial, but once the trial was over and I went back over the books and checked the electronic records....I pretty much figured it out....I confronted both of them, the day before Buddy's death and told them to shut down whatever they were doing or I'd shut them down..Of course they both laughed it off, denied everything..The next day....Buddy was dead and I was framed." said Lincoln..

"I'm going to subpoena Sleigh.." said Olivia.

THE OFFICE OF SPECIAL PROSECUTOR, MICHAEL  LAWRENCE.

"WHAT ARE YOU TELLING ME?? WHAT ARE YOU SAYING TO ME?" screamed an irate Special Prosecutor, Michael Lawrence..

"My Operatives checked every hotel and I mean every hotel in this city, plus relatives and friends of both Lincoln and Gail Reddick... They're not in a hotel and they're not at any of these people's homes..My guess is Olivia and Beverly have put them up somewhere...He was released on his own recognizance.. He's not wearing an ankle bracelet...There is no activity on his or her credit cards or debit cards...And no evidence they've left town...." said his investigator..

"Olivia....Olivia...She thinks she's outsmarted me... Stop hunting...I'm going to take the fight to her.. I'm going to pay her a little visit tomorrow.

The next day...Our doorbell rang...

"I'll get it.." said Alfreda...

''Good Morning mam....Could I have a word with your employer..I am special prosecutor, Michael Lawrence." he said.

"Come in....Liv....you have a guest." said Alfreda...

We all happened to be sitting at the conference room table..We had a hearing to go to tomorrow..We were preparing for that. 

 "Special Prosecutor Michael Lawrence...Welcome to our humble abode...I was wondering when you'd show up." said Olivia.

"I can imagine, you're not here to offer us a proffer are you?" I said with a smile.

"He doesn't look like he's in the proffering mode." said Beverly....

"NO I AM NOT HERE TO OFFER ANY PROFFER!!   I know what you guys have done...You got your guy out as quick as possible..You made sure I wasn't a part of the arraignment...and now you've got Lincoln holed up with a relative or one of your many friends......ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY IS HE HAD BETTER SHOW UP AT EVERY HEARING, EVERY DAMN HEARING OR I AM GOING TO PUT A WARRANT OUT FOR HIS ARREST AND CHARGE YOU ALL WITH OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE...NOW THAT'S THE NAME OF THAT TUNE!" he said.

"Wow! you've got us shaking in our boots...This aint our first rodeo... We aren't some first year public defender that you can intimidate....You need to go on with your threats." said Nelson.

"Don't Worry..Mr. Lewis will be at every hearing he's supposed to be at..." said Josie.

"Is that all or do you have more to say?" asked Bresha.

"Well, you've delivered your message and we've delivered ours to you...So if there is no more...You can leave now!" said Olivia, smiling..

"The door is this way." said Alfreda, showing him the door..

He reluctantly walked out of our office...He realized he had made a fool out of himself and had proved nothing...

(TO BE CONTINUED)