The Crossing (9 page)

“May I see the letter?” I asked.

“You certainly may NOT, and you know better than to ask.
 
Carson, I suggest you talk with Henry, I assume he is your client too.
 
Maybe you can get him to confess and make this whole thing easier on everybody and easier on this community.”

“Judge, I don’t believe he’s guilty, so I doubt that he will confess.
 
But, since I can’t see the letter, what can you tell me about this attorney, Benjamin Abernathy?”

“He’s high profile, very expensive and sponsored by the NAACP.
 
Read into that what you want, but I have my doubts that he cares one way or the other about Henry Walker.
 
He’s just looking for media attention, and whether Henry is guilty or not has very little to do with his involvement,” he said candidly.

“What’s your take on those citizens camping outside on your sidewalk?” I asked.

“I don’t like it, but they aren’t any citizens I recognize from this community.
 
They aren’t breaking any laws and I’ll tolerate it as long as they don’t; however, I have instructed Raymond to keep his people away and avoid any contact or involvement unless there is trouble.
 
Having some ‘over zealous’ cop making this bad situation worse is not something I need!”

“What about Leroy?
 
 
Did you give him the same instructions?” I asked.

“I did, and obviously you haven’t been by the sheriff’s office this morning.
 
He has another group camping on his sidewalk, and Leroy’s instructions are exactly the same.
 
They are not to get involved unless trouble starts, and I don’t want one of his deputies to be the one who starts it.” Judge Graves was serious.

“Okay Judge,” I said as I stood up. “Thank you for your time.
 
I’ve got to go talk with Henry about Mr. Abernathy, but could I get you to do me a favor?”

“Maybe,” he said with a frown. “I’ll try, what is it?”

“Return Jack Logan’s phone call and tell him what you have just told me.
 
That’s a fair request, isn’t it?”

Judge Graves folded his arms and stared at me before speaking. “I guess so anything else?”

“I don’t know, I’ve got to talk with Henry and get his input on this Mr. Benjamin Abernathy.
 
I’ll let you know, I’m sure we’ll be talking again soon.” I said bluntly.

“Good,” he replied sharply. “And during your visit, see if you can get Henry to confess.
 
I promise, it will go a lot easier for him if we don’t have to drag this mess through the court.”

I didn’t acknowledge his statement, but just shook his hand and walked back through his waiting area into the main hall.
 
Looking outside, I saw things had not changed and each small group continued to occupy their positions on the sidewalk.
 
I walked down the steps and past each group as I headed to my car.
 
Once again, no one spoke to me as I passed.

I made the short drive over to the sheriff’s office, and found something very different. Organized on the sidewalk that ran in front of the building were at least two dozen colored men and women wearing Sunday clothes and carrying signs similar to those I had seen with the group downtown.
 
However, this group was a little more organized and was singing religious hymns while walking in a circle just outside the front door of the office. They were waving their signs, but didn’t appear to be making a disturbance – or at least one Leroy wanted to get involved in!

Across the street, and opposite the singers and sign wavers, was another group.
 
About a dozen young white men had gathered and were watching the activities in front of the sheriff’s office.
 
This group didn’t look organized at all and walked back and forth, pointing fingers at the demonstrators across the street.

I made my way, unchallenged, past both groups and through the front door of the sheriff’s office.
 
Deputy Scotty Perry was sitting at the front desk.

“Carson,” Scotty shouted. “Do you know where we can find a marching band?
 
I’ve already got the parade and just need some good music!”

“Ha,” I laughed. “They are doing alright without music and must be part of a choir, because their singing is actually pretty good.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Scotty explained. “I can’t hear them from in here and Leroy won’t let us go outside.”

“Is Leroy in?” I asked.

“Nope, sorry.
 
You need me to call him on the radio?” he offered.

“It’s not necessary; I just need to talk with Henry for a minute.”

“He’s here,” Scotty laughed as he tossed me the keys.

“I don’t need the keys,” I said, tossing them back. “I won’t be up there but a few minutes.”

I walked up the stairs and into the cell area; Henry was sitting on his bunk.
 
Unlike my last visit, Henry was now wearing a county issued orange jumpsuit.
 
Somehow his clothing made him seem guilty, as if the decision had already been made.
 
Maybe it had.

“Hi, Carson,” Henry said as he stood up. “You come to get me out of here?”

“I wish, but unfortunately not today.
 
I need you to tell me about Benjamin Abernathy?”

“Who?” Henry frowned.

“The lawyer, Mr. Benjamin Abernathy, he’s a NAACP lawyer who has your signature on an affidavit authorizing him to represent you.”

“So that’s what that was?” Henry questioned himself.

“Come on Henry, talk to me.
 
What is this all about?”

“Carson, when I couldn’t reach you, Yarnell started making some phone calls.
 
I have no idea who he called, but he came down here yesterday morning and said he had found somebody who could help me – for free!
 
He had this piece of paper for me to sign, and I signed it.
 
That’s all I know, you need to talk to Yarnell.”

“I will, don’t worry,” I agreed.

“Did I do something wrong?
 
Am I in more trouble?” Henry pleaded.

“I don’t know, but I do know that paper you signed gave this Benjamin Abernathy authorization to be your attorney.
 
I also know that we have a town full of strangers, both colored and white who want to be involved in your problems.
 
I’m trying to find out who killed that poor girl and get you out of here, and I don’t need all this outside interference getting in my way.”

“Oh, no!” Henry sighed, as he sat back down on his bunk and put his head in his hands.

“Henry, I’m going to try and fix this, but don’t sign ANYTHING else until you talk with either Jack or me.
 
Understand?”

“Yes, I understand,” Henry managed. “But can I still have Jack as my lawyer?”

“You can have any lawyer you want, and my advice is to stay away from Benjamin Abernathy.
 
I’m sure he’s going to be here to see you soon - maybe today or tomorrow for sure.
 
I want you to have Leroy contact either Jack or me when he does.
 
Okay?”

“Yes, okay, I won’t talk with anyone.
 
I’m so sorry, Carson.
 
I never meant for all this to happen.”

“I know Henry, don’t worry, we’ll take care of this.
 
I’ve got to go, but please ask Leroy or one of his deputies to find me if you need anything.
 
Promise?” I ordered.

“Yes, I promise.
 
And Carson, I know Yarnell meant well, I know he did!” Henry shouted.

“Let’s hope so,” I offered as I headed back downstairs.

Scotty was still sitting at the front desk. “He hasn’t escaped has he?” Scotty joked.

“I couldn’t find him, you sure he’s supposed to be up there?” I said with a straight face.

Scotty jumped up then realized I was jerking his chain. “Okay, okay.
 
My bad joke, sorry, Carson.”

“Where is Leroy,” I asked. “I’ll buy him lunch if you can find him.”

“He and Jeff are down at the Crossing asking some questions, I assume.
 
You want me to call him on the radio?”

“I’ve got to meet Joe at Chiefs.
 
When Leroy checks in, have him call me there.” I requested heading toward the door.

“Will do,” Scotty offered, as I walked back out the front door and onto the sidewalk.

Little had changed outside, except I believe they were now singing a different song while continuing to walk in a circle.
 
I walked, seemingly unnoticed, past both groups, got in the Ford and pointed it toward Chiefs.
 
Just like downtown, no one from either group spoke to me.

~

A
s I expected, Joe had arrived and was sitting on a barstool watching the activities.
 
He had already spotted Mavis and was staring at her when I slid onto an empty barstool next to him.

“What are those?” he mumbled.

“What are what?” I asked, knowing full well what he was talking about!

“Are those tits?” he mumbled again.

Mavis was waiting on a table in the corner of the dining area.
 
Being unable to look down, she was forced to turn sideways and talk over her shoulder to her customers.
 
And, of course, unknowing customers were as shocked as I had been during my first encounter with Mavis.
 
It was humorous watching their reactions, especially the women!

“Well, if they aren’t,” I answered, “I don’t want to imagine what else they could be!
 
And besides, they have names.”

“What has names?
 
Her tits?” Joe frowned.

“Yes, one is
‘Luscious’
and the other is
‘Bodacious’
,” I answered frankly. “And don’t ask me which one is which!”

“How do you know that?
 
Wait…don’t answer that.
 
I’m not sure I want to know.
 
But, who is she?”

“That’s Flo’s sister, Mavis, and Flo told me they had names!
 
I guess you and she can discuss it later!” I laughed.

“Well, what’s up with the cigarette?
 
It just hangs there in her lips, but it isn’t lit!”
 
Joe was shaking his head.

“I’m honestly not sure,” I answered. “I don’t think Nickie will let her smoke while she’s working, but I haven’t gotten up the nerve to ask yet!”

Joe and I sipped our drinks and watched in silence as Mavis waddled around the restaurant and bar.
 
Flo had been trying to get Joe’s attention, but he was totally focused in watching Mavis.

“You haven’t eaten yet, have you?” I finally asked.

“No, but I sure could.
 
You want to have lunch?”

“Not yet, let’s talk a few minutes and wait on Leroy.
 
I need to visit with him and maybe I can buy him lunch.”

Joe and I spent the next half-hour discussing the current situation, and somewhere during our conversation, Nickie walked by and said, “Yes,” then walked off.

“Wait a minute, Nickie,” I shouted. “Yes, what?
 
Are you finally saying ‘yes’ to my offer?
 
Can we hide it from Ronnie?”

“No, smart-ass, that is NOT what I was saying ‘yes’ about.
 
I was saying that ‘yes’ you have messages.
 
Obviously, you forgot to ask, which means I do all this work for nothing!” Nickie snapped.

“So, that means the answer to the other question is still no – yes?” I chuckled.

“Yes, the answer is no, and please stop this, I’m getting confused.
 
You have a message from Jack Logan, and he said to tell you he would be in town late tonight, but don’t expect to see him until tomorrow.”

“Judy Strong,” was all I said.

“Yes, Judy Strong.
 
He will be with her this evening and see you here tomorrow for breakfast,” Nickie replied.

Judy Strong was a Vice President at Maxwell Trucking, and she and Jack had met during my investigation of a ‘Murder in Humboldt’.
 
Both he and Judy have been seeing each other on a regular basis since then.