Night Magic (19 page)

"Nightmares. I have been having them for two
weeks. Some nights I dream I'm out deep in the bayou fishing with
Poppy. Suddenly he turns into a large black snake with a mouth the
size of a football field closing in on me. In another one I'm in a
huge old house and all of a sudden hear footsteps. I know some
horrible creature is coming after me, but I can't find a door."
Savannah jerked a paper towel from the dispenser on the wall.
Wetting it in the sink, she dabbed her face with it.

"Damn!"

"I haven't been getting much sleep lately.
Some nights I'm actually afraid to close my eyes. There's this one
dream where I look down and blood is all over me--" Savannah took a
shuddering breath.

"Listen to me, this is not real. Just tell
yourself LaShaun and Monmon Odette have no power. It's all smoke
and mirrors."

"I know that in the light of day. But at
night in my dreams it's a different story." Savannah smiled weakly
at her friend.

"Is there anything I can do?" Charice put her
arm around Savannah's shoulder.

"Yeah, get me a garlic necklace. That should
ward off any evil." Savanna gave a short forced laugh.

"And anybody else. Seriously, girl, what can
I do?"

"Charice, this is a bogey man from childhood
that I have to face alone."

"No you don't." Charice stared off as if
seeing something written on the dingy green wall.

"Yes I do. I have to come to terms with this
somehow, but you stay out of it. Especially stay away from LaShaun.
One of us with getting hexed is enough." Savannah didn't like that
look in her eye and nudged Charice in the ribs in an effort to
joke.

"Hmm, oh sure. Now, how are you feeling?"

"Better. No, it's true. This is the first
time I've talked about the dreams to anyone. I'm feeling steady
now."

"Well, you do look less jittery. Come on, you
know you've done your homework. Go, girl."

"That's true. One thing about not being able
to sleep, I got plenty of work done putting together information
for Simmons."

For the past few weeks, Savannah and a local
attorney had teamed up to build the government's case. Savannah and
Gralin Mencer did extensive research to show how Batton Chemical
had violated clean water and air statutes. Savannah picked up her
leather portfolio and took one last look at herself in the
mirror.

"I shouldn't have to tell you this, but you
know you can call me to talk anytime." Charice stared at Savannah's
reflection.

"Sure thing, Pork Chop."

"Shh, don't call me that. Somebody might hear
you." Charice glared at her.

"I think it's cute, Pork Ch--"

"Yeah, almost as cute as Miss Burpee."
Charice smirked.

"Hey, that's low."

"Uh-huh, big line in the third grade annual
school play and you let loose. I told you not to drink that
carbonated cold drink before the curtain went up. `Today we pay
tribute to our founding fathers--URPP!'" Charice laughed as
Savannah pushed her out the door into the hallway.

"One youthful mistake and they never let you
forget."

"You started it."

They teased each other about embarrassing
moments from childhood until the demons of the night were
completely dispelled. Entering the crowded court room, both women
instantly became serious. Seeing her father wave to her, Savannah
lead the way to the seats he had saved for them. Savannah and
Charice sat on two rows from the front. The hard wood benches were
behind a low wooden gate that separated the attorneys from the
audience. Savannah was encouraged to see Gralin Mencer, a local
attorney who had been active with the citizen's group, already
sitting at the one of the long tables on the other side of the
gate. With his head bent towards Jason Simmons, the attorney from
the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection, he wore an intense
expression as he spoke.

"Where is the opposing lawyer I wonder?"
Antoine nodded towards the second empty table to their left.

"I figure they will make an impressive
entrance soon. I expect some heavy hitting hired gun to show.
Batton Chemical has too much on the line," Savannah said.

"Yeah, but we got the feds on our team."
Charice winked at her.

"The feds have been beaten in court many
times, so don't think the verdict in our favor is in the bag."

"Still I feel between them and us, we have
got a good shot."

"I hope you right, cher." Antoine patted
Charice on the back of her hand.

"Man, I'm glad I took off to be here at least
on the first day. Maybe I'll bring the class here as a field trip.
Look at everybody that showed up." Charice waved at several
acquaintances as she turned around to scan the crowd.

"Will you sit still, you just saw all those
people at Sack Daddy's the other night. Quit squirming." Savannah
poked her in the side.

"Look, there's Rodney. Hey, Rodney." Charice
half rose from her seat.

"I bet your students behave better than you
when they come. Good gracious." Savannah shook her head.

"Hello! Look at this fabulous ebony prince
that just walked in. Girl, look. Oo-wee." Charice whispered
loudly.

"Quit pulling on me. What is it--" Savannah's
eyes went wide with shock.

"He's looking over here. Thank you Lord, he's
coming this way. Quick, is my hair all right?" Charice could barely
contain her excitement.

"Savannah, fancy meeting you here." Devin, as
impeccable as ever in a tailored navy suit with red paisley tie,
gave her a dazzling smile as he extended his hand. His other hand
held a fine leather briefcase.

"Hello." Savannah stared at his hand for
several seconds before taking it.

"Friends of yours?" Devin stood obviously
waiting for an introduction.

"This is my father, Antoine St. Julien, and
friend, Charice Collins. Poppy, Charice, this is Devin Martin."
Savannah spoke shortly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. St. Julien.
Savannah spoke of you often. And it's very nice to meet you Ms.
Collins."

"Yeah." Antoine gave him a long look up and
down.

"What are you doing here?" Savannah already
had a good idea. She had only just finished saying Batton Chemical
would bring in big guns. And in Louisiana, they did not come any
bigger than Clayton, Briggs, and Schuster.

"Batton Chemical's been a client of the firm
for over twelve years. Mr. Clayton has handled much of their work
personally, but in this instance he felt I could be more effective.
Truth is he hasn't been in a court room for some time." Devin
lowered his voice for the last sentence and leaned down close to
Savannah's ear.

"I see."As contemptible as it might be,
Savannah had to appreciate the tactic. Not only was Devin a skilled
litigator, but he was African-American. His presence would do much
to diffuse the charge of environmental racism.

"And you? Of course, you’re a member of the
Citizens for a Clean Environment. Well, seems it's about to start.
I hope we get a chance to have lunch while I'm in town, Savannah.
Ms. Collins, Mr. St. Julien."

Seeing Judge Duplessis enter, Devin went to
the counsel table opposite the government attorney. One of the
young law clerks trailed behind him carrying several large brown
envelopes. Placing his briefcase on the table, Devin opened it and
began organizing papers in preparation.

"That's Devin? Low down, no good Devin? Man,
of all the rotten luck. Why do all the worse ones have to be so
fine?" Charice puffed in dismay.

"Believe me, you don't want to pay the price
of having that weasel crawl into your life." Savannah folded her
arms and sat back.

"Is he good?" Charice gave Devin an
appraising look.

"One of the best young legal sharks in the
country." Savannah tried to keep the growing sense of doubt about
their chances from showing.

"No, I meant is he good. You know." Charice
nudged her and winked.

"Girl, please! Is that all you can think
about? The man is scum, toxic radioactive scum." Savannah closed
her eyes in exasperation.

"I agree, I agree. I hope he gets his for the
way he body slammed you when you weren't looking. But I'm just
wondering, you know. Come on, you can tell me." Charice grinned
impishly.

"I am not having this
conversation with you, Charice. I am
not
."The bailiff ordered all to stand
as the judge took the bench.

Watching Devin go through his opening
statement, Savannah was almost hypnotized by his smooth delivery.
Every motion, every facial expression seemed to say that Batton
Chemical was being wrongly accused.

"Despite anything that Mr. Simmons has said,
we are sure that Batton Chemical will be vindicated. We will
present evidence that the state and federal environmental agencies
gave conflicting orders as to what regulations are under which the
Big River plant is required to operate. The permits were obtained
and standards followed in a good faith effort to fully comply with
accepted state and federal laws. Further, we will demonstrate the
extraordinary steps my client has taken to not only assure safety,
but to address any legitimate concerns of the surrounding
community."

"Damn, I see what you mean. He ain't no slob
at this," Charice whispered.

"Wait until he really gets into it." Savannah
stared ahead grimly. At the first available break, she planned to
pull Gralin and Simmons aside to coach them on what to expect from
Devin in the way of tactics.

"You look worried, which is makin' me
worried, cher."

"Don't expect the worse, poppy. He's good,
but he's not invincible. We've got a strong case." Savannah
squeezed his arm.

For the next two hours Devin called
preliminary witnesses. It was obvious from the way Simmons cross
examined them that they were not crucial to the case. Devin was
simply attempting to lay the groundwork for proving that Big River
was like any other business that could benefit the community. A
parade of engineers and industry experts took turns talking about
the plant's safety features, back up plans, and the kiln process
that produced the aggregate for use in construction. Under cross
examination, Simmons got several to admit that the process was so
new that the safety procedures had never been truly tested. He even
got one of scientist to admit that it could take several years
before the effects on people who come into close contact with the
aggregate could truly be evaluated.

"That Simmons is doin' some job up against
Mr. Big Time." Antoine smiled, encouraged that his side seemed to
be holding its own.

"Redirect, your honor." Devin rose a few
seconds before Simmons sat down again.

"Go ahead, Mr. Martin." Judge Duplessis
nodded his head without looking up from the notes he was
taking.

"Mr. Bankston, you just stated under cross
examination that it could take years to evaluate the safety of the
aggregate."

"That is correct." The small balding
scientist adjusted his heavy frame spectacles.

"Isn't it also true that tests show that even
under extreme conditions of heat, exposure to large amounts of
water, and other elements that might be encountered in the
environment have shown not leaching of dangerous chemicals?"

"That is also correct."

"And isn't it also true that the extreme
conditions would not be expected to occur in the natural
environment?"

"Most definitely. We tested at temperature
200 degrees Fahrenheit just as one example."

"So, what would you conclude from this?"

"That under normal weather conditions, the
aggregate should pose no threat whatsoever."

"Thank you. No more questions, your honor."
Devin strolled back to his seat.

"As it is now noon, this court will adjourn
until ten tomorrow morning." Judge Duplessis dismissed court with a
sharp rap of his gavel.

Outside the court room, groups on both sides
compared notes and opinions. Antoine was still upbeat despite the
obvious score Devin had made at the end.

"It's the first day; Simmons got time to put
on our witnesses. That Devin won't be so smart faced then." Antoine
reassured several committee members.

"Sorry I didn't get here for the first day.
How did it go?" Paul had finally been able to make his way through
the milling crowd to find them.

"I'd say it was about what and what. We
holdin' our own." Antoine clapped him on the back before moving off
with his friends to pick up sandwiches and root beer at Snooky
Boo's.

"Sounds like Mr. Antoine is encouraged." Paul
walked between the two women as they headed for the exit and lunch
at the fish net.

"Well, this is just the beginning." Wearing a
distracted expression, Savannah bumped into several people."I kind
of agree with Mr. Antoine. Seems like we've got a fighting chance,"
Charice said.

"Hey, earth to Savannah." Paul laughed as he
gently steered her from yet another collision course. "Snap out of
it."

"Savannah, Savannah."Devin caused heads to
turn as he came towards them. The crowd parted around him. Some
were hostile, but quite a few were impressed at the tall handsome
figure he cut.

"I meant what I said earlier. I will be
pretty busy while I'm here, but I'd like to have dinner sometime."
Devin spoke without acknowledging Paul or Charice.

"I don't know if that's a good idea,
Devin."

"Why not? You may be opposed to the plant,
but we certainly have more to discuss than this case."

"Oh really?" Paul looked from Savannah to
Devin.

"Devin, this is Paul Honorè. Paul, Devin
Martin. We were... associates at the same law firm."

"How are you?" Devin gave Paul a curt nod
before turning his attention back to Savannah. "So what do you
say?"

"I think she said no." Paul moved close to
Savannah putting his hand on her waist.