Inspiration 24

http://goo.gl/1eLv66

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

To be falsely accuse of something can be extremely hurtful. Proving your innocence can often be nearly impossible, especially if the accuser is dead set on revenge. 

How will the next target handle charges that could cost him his career?

5

A Lawsuit

Derrick called a meeting of The Bald Eagles. Once again, they met at the old shack. This time the doorkeeper asked, "Which book most offends?"

Darren replied, "The Diary of Anne Frank."

Darren and Scott entered. Derrick got straight to business. "Well, it seems little Kyle LaFontaine grew some balls. He didn't break. That wife of his is made of granite, and his mother must be an ice queen. Next step?"

"Thibodeaux?" a voice asked. "He didn't print a thing."

"Maybe," said Derrick.

One of the older men suggested, "You know, Christopher Reynolds does represent white folks, too, but he seems to lose those cases."

"What are you driving at, King?" asked Derrick.

"He lost my case. I don't think he properly represented me. I think I'll bring a malpractice suit against him. You know he just married LaFontaine's sister. He wanted to be financially stable before he started a family. Said he didn't want to rely on Momma and Daddy. I think a lawsuit will put a little hurt on him."

"Good thinking." Derrick paused. "You know, the Reynoldses and the LaFontaines have been joined at the hip a long time. What can we dig up on Raiford Reynolds to discredit him?

"No," said Scott impulsively.

"No?" asked Derrick.

Realizing he had spoken, Scott thought fast to cover his slip. "I already looked. It was hard as hell to find one photo to doctor to make his relationship with Kyle look questionable. The worst you might find on him is a little police brutality, and that wasn't racially discriminant. We would probably applaud his tactics, actually...

 "Why are you defending him so hard?" Derrick scowled.

"I'm not. I'm being realistic and trying to keep us from screwing up again. Go ahead and hit his son in the pocketbook and reputation. The detective's is written in stone

"Besides, that family is filthy rich, mostly because Dr. Reynolds wrote thirteen novels about Detective Rusty Rose, three poetry anthologies, and seven books on teaching. I would suggest that if you go after her, you not attempt to hurt her. Question her character. Tarnish her spotless reputation. She said her door is always open. Maybe if she closed it with a male student inside, you could accuse her of sexual harassment."

"You volunteering?"

"No." Scott shook his head. "I wouldn't be a good candidate. I'm too old."

"You're seventeen, aren't you?" Derrick gripped the podium. "You sure sound a hell of a lot older."

"Seventeen is old enough to consent. Get a freshman in there."

"I get your point. Let's start with the son. Any dissent?" With no opposition, it was agreed to let King bring a suit against Christopher Reynolds.

A week later, a courier appeared at Christopher Reynolds's law office just as he was opening for the day. "Christopher Reynolds?" asked the young man.

"Yes."

The man handed him some papers. "You've been served."

Christopher opened the packet and mumbled, "What the hell?" Inside, were the documents stating King's lawsuit and malpractice charge. King was seeking two million dollars. Christopher called his father-in-law.

Saul Blackwell instructed his son-in-law to drive to Baton Rouge so he could review the grievances. When Christopher arrived, Saul looked over the packet. "Is any of this true?"

"I lost. That's true. I advised him to take the settlement, but he refused. His case wasn't strong."

"Well, what do you want to do? He has a high-powered attorney this time. Irene Dellaine is the same, forgive my French, bitch that put a hurt on Bertram and Gautier just after Chris's murder when Raif was still in mourning. She's good. King could garner a lot of sympathy."

"Should I settle even though I did my best? That'll damage my reputation. I'm just starting out, Saul. I can't afford a black mark on my record."

"You've got malpractice insurance, right?"

"Yeah."

"Settle." He leaned back in his chair. "Come to work for me for a little while before you strike out on your own. Let me shelter you under my wing. We're family. I promise you they don't wanna take me on."

"I'm a good attorney, Saul. I did not misrepresent him."

"I know. He's part of the new white supremacists. You lost to a black attorney. This is retaliation. Let it go and settle. Soon, nobody will remember. Besides, in a couple of years, I'll need a good partner before I retire. This could be the best thing for you. You won't have to struggle and represent slime like King."

"But I feel like a failure." He dropped his face into his hands.

"Bullshit, Christopher!" Saul slapped his desktop. "I've had a dozen lawsuits against me. Don't sweat it. Give him the money and let him rot in Hell. If you fight it, you bring attention to yourself, and you don't want that."

"Very well. Handle it. Will you want me to move to Baton Rouge?"

"No.  You can stay in Eau Boueuse. It'll be my office there, but for the next two years, don't take any case without consulting me first."

"Yes, sir," said Christopher dejectedly.

"Hey, chin up! I need you, Christopher. I don't wanna wait for Tate to finish law school. Work for me two years. After that, I think we'll start Blackwell and Reynolds, Attorneys at Law, with offices in Baton Rouge and Eau Boueuse."

"I can live with that. Thanks."

Once again, Derrick appeared enraged. Christopher had not responded the way he wanted. It was time to move down the list. Without a meeting, he called Scott Ball.

"Hello?" Scott answered.

"Meet me at the Waffle House on Route 12."

"Who is this?"

"Derrick."

That was the end of the conversation. Scott had been summoned.

Cover by Christopher Chambers.

The apparent attackers & the victim with his support: Derrick, Scott, Christopher, Saul