Page 74 of A Trial of the Heart
“Lauryn is?”
“Arthur’s daughter.”
Judge Fairbanks sat up further in his seat, glaring at me with an expression I couldn’t read. He made me nervous.
“I initially didn’t know the connection.” I quickly spoke up. I only realized after that day when I showed Rashad Lauryn’s picture. It wasn’t right, and I knew I should have spoken up then, but I had been torn.
“Are you telling me that the firm you work for is responsible for the trumped up charges that Mr. Carter had against him?”
“Yes, sir. Also, I no longer work there. I was fired.”
His expression was pure shock. His mouth fell agape and moved slightly, but no words came.
“When… When did you know the connection?” he stuttered without acknowledging the fact that I’d said I had been fired.
“A few weeks before the dismissal.”
“Are you telling me this now because of your termination as a way to retaliate against the Commonwealth Office?”
“No,” I quickly responded.
“Why now? Why not come forward when you found out the connection?” he asked.
“Honestly… The defendant is a truly stand-up guy. I wanted to speak up, but I knew the moment I did, I’d be the one suffering.” I scoffed. I knew it was selfish. I can’t take back not doing the right thing, but not doing so is eating me up more than anything else can. I didn’t want to go into detail about Rashad and me.
“Not only that, knowing the connection makes me wonder how many innocent men and women are behind bars or lives have been ruined that I don’t know about.” I’d had many sleepless nights lately thinking about the many cases I was in charge of or sat in on that may have been bogus.
“You do realize what you’re saying could cost you your bar license?”
I battled with coming forward because I knew it was a possibility that I’d also have repercussions, but repercussions ornot, I wanted to do the right thing. I hadn’t realized I had been a pawn in their chess game for many years.
“I understand, and as much I love to practice law and don’t want to give it up, I’m fully willing to accept whatever may come my way.” There was no way I wanted my career ruined, but I wanted to do the right thing no matter what. “I wasn’t a part of the plan and only found out by preparing for the case as I have many times in the past. It’s just personal for me this time.”
“Your father was a very admirable man, one of the most honest people I have ever encountered. When it came to law, he was the man for any job. He was a hell of a lawyer that played fair… truly an honest man…” His words trailed off. Whenever I was in the presence of someone that knew my father, they always spoke highly of him, and many stated I was just like him. I’d been referred to as a pit bull in a skirt more times than I cared to admit.
I didn’t disagree with anything Judge Fairbanks had said. I just didn’t understand the connection in the conversation.
“Yeah, he was an exceptional man.” I beamed at the thought of him, while instantly missing him. I had been a true daddy’s girl even in my adult life, so when he departed earth, a piece of me left with him.
“Very noble man,” he added. “Never understood how a man as honest as him ever got connected with someone like Arthur.”
“I’ve always wondered the same,” I agreed quietly. Had he still been alive, this conversation wouldn’t even be taking place. Funny how Arthur was a racist but put my father on a pedestal every chance he was given. Though the office was Arthur’s, I knew when my father was alive no backdoor shit was going on because he wouldn’t have stood for it.
Judge Fairbanks leaned back in his seat with his eyes still fixated on me. “Is there anything else you’d like to mention?”
I had a lot I wanted to mention, but it was all personal, I would deal with that on my own time.
“No, sir.”
“Ok, with the information you have given me along with what was presented in court, a full investigation is going to take place. While I do appreciate your honesty and do believe that you had no prior knowledge of the corruption, the fact that once you realized what had taken place and neglected to bring it to light can very well cause you to be at fault as well.”
I nodded in understanding. I knew the consequences before I finally decided to ask Judge Fairbanks for the sit down. I didn’t want my career to end, but it was either be the whistleblower or allow Arthur and William to continue being thugs in the corporate world and ruining innocent lives.
“I am aware, and I am prepared for anything that may come my way.
“In that case…” He stood, and I did the same as he was now telling me the time he’d allotted me had expired. “Thank you for the information, and I hope all things align in the manner they’re supposed to.”
“Thank you.” I smiled, reaching the door.
