PATSY by Kenneth L. Ehrenthal (fantasy novels to read .txt) 📕

towards Sal and Heidi.  On it is written $250,000.  Sal's face reddens and he begins to rise in an explosion.  Heidi grabs his arm pulling him down and says to his ear, "Sal, calm down and shut up."  Heidi with her best coquettish look says, "Ben, my client lost more than that in the electronic equipment that was taken.  He also spent a night in jail on some trumped up charge, and it's been six months since you put him out of business." Heidi, you know that when you make this deal, his insurance will reimburse him for the loss, both for the equipment and his time the business was closed.  We have seen his policy."  "Come on Sal, let’s go to the court room, we can wait for the judge there."  "Hold on", says Ben, I agree we do have to consider his being held in jail and embarrassed like that.  We are prepared to go higher" He writes something else on the paper and pushes it toward them.  On it is $250,000 crossed and $350,000 is now offered."  Sal staring at the paper has contained himself this time.  Heidi smiles, takes out her pen and writes some thing on the paper and pushes it back to Ben.  Ben looks at it and blanches.  He shows to the mute police attorney.  The paper showing the crossed out $250,000 has been amended to read $3,500,000. 
 
"How much is bad publicity worth", she asks, as they both begin to leave. As they are walking out the door, the silent member of the team holds up his hand and says "stay and sit."  Patrick Kelly, dials a number on his cell, and walks out of the room.  About five minutes later her returns.  There are two things we want, first we want a no comment on anything we discussed here, and second a complete non-disclosure agreement, which we will stipulate that we will notify Sal's insurance company that they should honor his policy.  If you agree, we have a deal at $3 million, five." Ms Lowell, after we make representations to the court, you will withdraw your motion.  I'll send the necessary paperwork to your office and transfer the money to your firms escrow account. Is that satisfactory?" 
 
With a straight and neutral face Heidi says, "We agree."  Heidi grabs arm as they get up to leave.  She whispers, "don't say a word."  We still have to go into the court and have the agreement officially recognized so that we can withdraw the law suit.  When they get to the court room, the clerk directs them to back area, and to what Heidi calls the Judges Chambers.  There the four of, the judge, his court reporter and clerk are present.  "I understand that the parties have come to some resolution."  We'll go on the record now he motions to his reporter.  "An agreement has been agreed to by all three parties to this suit.  I understand that this includes a non-disclosure agreement.  Do all parties agree?  Everyone nods.  I understand that New York City and the New York City Police Department have offered Mr. Sal....... the sum of $3, 500,000 and release of his insurance claim.
And that Mr. Sal Martuccio withdraws his law suit against both parties.  This agreement is hereby sealed."  He raps his gavel.  Turns to his clerk and follows him out of the door to go to the court room.  Heidi grabs Sal and pulls him out of the court house.  "Let's go get a beer Sal, says Heidi"  "A beer", says Sal, how about some expensive champagne. OK by me Sal.  'Boy was Sid right.  You are something lady."  

 
                                               
                                                 
 
 
                                                    Chapter 15


A broad smile crosses McGinty's dark red tan face as he walks into the DA's office.  "You sure look well rested and happy Walter".  "I sure am Henry, says McGinty, as he sits down in a chair across from the DA's big desk.  "You would be too, he smiles, me and Mary, sitting on our veranda over looking the bluest water and the whitest sandy beach in the world.  We're sipping my Mai Tai and Mary her Pina Colata and the clear fresh air and feeling the soft gentle breeze.  And Henry, it's like that every day."  Sure sounds like paradise", says Henry."  "It sure is".  "I know you just got back, says the DA, "but some things have come up and it seems you’re the only one who can help me solve it."  "Hey Walter, are you saying I'm the indispensable man around here?"  "Walter, there is a case that has come to my attention and you seem to be the only one who seem to know what its all about".  OK, Hank, what have you got.  "Remember the case, about three or four years.  A business woman was raped and murdered and we sent away the killer for 25 to life."  McGinty slowly begins to answer, "Let me think."  I think the assistant DA handling it left soon after, if that's what you mean."  "Well, that certainly might the reason, but we tried to pull the records and we discovered that you had ordered the case sealed.  I wasn’t going to go around you expertise in the matter, so that's why I'm taking it up with you now."  "Hum....let me think on it.....yes I think I remember it now.  I believe that there was a National Security factor and I think the FBI or some other Fed agency was interested, so I sealed it."  "If that what it was, Walt, I think you probably did the right thing." "Anything else for me boss." Not now then and welcome back.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chapter 16
 
 
Two weeks later Sid is again out the gates of Sing Sing.  Nothing has changed, except the weather, which is now more like prison atmosphere.  He goes through the same procedure and enters the garishly yellow interview room.  Royster enters and hands Sid a piece of paper.  "Good", says Sid. "You did your homework!"  He looks at the paper:

                                                                                                                                  I pick lady at LG
                                                                                                                                  I take lady to howse 
                                                                                                                        I pick up fare take to LG
                                                                                                                                  Go home
                                                                                                                        I go to work
                                        Go home
                                                                                                                                            Go to work             
                                                                                                                                  Get arested
                                                                                                                                  Go to jale

"Well Mohammed, that's a start," says Sid.  “But I have one very important question to ask and I want you to think about it very carefully.  Did you ever see a doctor or a nurse or anyone who scrapped your cheek or took blood or anything like that"?  “NO!” answers Mohammed.  Sid thinks, then where the hell did the DNA come from?  “Now Mohammed”, he says, “we are making some headway.  There were things that the police failed to do in your case.  Because of that we believe that we can get a judge to look over the evidence and perhaps give you a new trial.  But I still want you to know that this is going to take time.”  Mohammed answers, “Thank you”, Mr. Sid, “for all that you are doing.”

 
                       
 
Chapter 17
 
 
Sid pushes back his seat and closes his eyes.  That same thought keeps interrupting his train of thought...Where the hell did the DNA come from.  I've never talked about this case with Heidi, maybe if I go through it with her she can discover something that I just can see.  I believe George is just as stymied as I am.  He looks at George who is fast asleep.  Landing at LaGuardia he is now at the scene of the beginning of the crime.  Is there something here we haven't considered.  There she is.  Has it just been two day?  Heidi leaps into his arms.  Oh, hi George" she says.  George grunts!  He limps off to find a cab, saying, have a good night lovebirds."  Heidi has brought her Beemer and they are soon cruising down the Grand Central to the City.  Yea, I know LaGuardia is in New York, but for real New Yorkers, Manhattan is New York.  How was you trip? She asks.  Do you really want to know now, smiles Sid?  Well, not really. How are you?  Sweetheart I missed you terribly.  Me to!  Next time I travel I want you with me.  And not George also, she grins.  George is alright but....  I know honey.
 
The parking garage is about two blocks from Heidi's apartment.  "You know Sid, I've bee thinking.  Whenever I stay over at your place we just walk a few blocks and we're at work.  When we're here it takes almost an hour to get down town."  Yes, says Sid.  "Why don't I leave some of my cloths in your place? Oops, am I being to forward or presumptuous."   "Presume on" says Sid.  Then during the week we can stay at your place and have more morning fun time together."  "And what about the weekends? Says Sid.  "We have lot of fun time on the week ends."  I think that that is a capital idea".  But don't you think the rent you pay for your place is kind of high for two days a week."  "Well....." she says.  "Why not just move in".  It's been six months, which I know is not very long, but......" "Sid are you sure?"  "Hey lady you re the one giving up her high class apartment on the upper West Side." 

"By the way Sid, because of the euphoria of your return and everything else, I forgot to tell you something."  Oh!Oh! Thought Sid, she’s pregnant.  What is that sweetheart?  Sid tried to act nonchalant.  "We closed Sal's case today."  "What said Sid", releasing a long breath of air, I thought today was the opening hearing?  "Well, they wanted to settle and so we settled."  You settled? Yes. Well..... I can't tell you since we have a non-disclosure agreement, but I'll write it down and swallow the paper and deny I told you anything."  You sound so melodramatic.  OK write it down.  I'll tell you but I'll swallow my words."  $3,500,000. Plus he will be able to receive payment from his insurance company".  "Oh my god!" gasps Sid.  "I'm flabbergasted."  "Well my dear you get a millionairess and a room mate all in one
 
 
 
Chapter 18
 
 
"Margie, I think its time to call the crew together", says Sid.  Let's say 2 pm in the conference room."  The group gathers in the cramped room.  They notice a stranger, to some of them anyway, among them.  "Hi guys, says Sid.  Sid introduces Heidi to his staff.  He tells them that she is a lawyer and that she might be able to give a different and fresh take on the Mohammed case.  They all nod, hello!  As he begins, George limps in.  He smiles at Heidi and heavily sits down.  As you all know there are two issues we need to spend time on.  One is the background of the victim and the other is how the DNA was gathered from Mr. Mohammed and if it wasn't his whose was it.  George, I'm putting you in charge of the DNA group.  With you contacts with the police and medical examiners office you should be able to break through this "Iron Curtain" of nonsense.  Mary White will head the second team.  I'll ask each of you to choose a preference