Sycamore Row

23

Leaving the courthouse in a hurry late Thursday afternoon, Jake was grabbed by Stillman Rush, who asked if he had time for a quick drink. It was a strange offer because the two had nothing in common except the Hubbard case. Sure, he said, why not? Stillman had something important to talk about; otherwise he wouldn’t waste his time with a street lawyer like Jake.

They met in a bar in the basement of an old building just off the square, walking distance from the courthouse. It was already dark outside, and misting, a perfectly gloomy evening and a great time for a drink. Though Jake didn’t frequent bars, he’d been there before. It was a shadowy, damp place with dark corners and booths and gave the impression that semi-legitimate deals were going down. Bobby Carl Leach, the town’s most infamous shyster, owned a table next to the fireplace and was often seen there with politicians and bankers. Harry Rex Vonner was a regular.

Jake and Stillman got a booth, ordered draft beers, and began to unwind. After four straight days at the same table listening to endless and marginally useful testimony, they were almost numb with tedium. Stillman’s innate cockiness seemed to vanish and he was almost likable. When the waiter dropped off the beers, he leaned in low and said, “Here’s an idea, just me thinking with no authority from anyone else. But there’s a pile of money here, we all know that. Not sure how much right now, but-”

“Twenty-four million,” Jake interrupted. The lawyers would soon learn what was in the inventory, and there was no harm in revealing this to Stillman. Jake was just trying to keep it out of the newspapers.

Stillman paused, smiled, took a sip and shook his head. “Twenty-four million.”

“And no debts.”

“Hard to believe, isn’t it?”

“It is.”

“So there’s twenty-four million, and by the time the tax collectors have their way, we’ll be lucky if half of it’s left.”

Jake said, “That’s right, according to the accountants.”

“So we’re down to twelve million, still a lot of money, more than you and I will ever see. So, here’s my idea, Jake. Why don’t we try and negotiate a settlement? There are three main players-Herschel, Ramona, and Lettie. Surely we can slice the pie and make everyone happy.”

It was not an original idea. Jake and Lucien had kicked it around several times, and they were certain the opposing lawyers had done the same. Each side gives a little, or a lot, cut off the attorney’s fees and expenses, stop the presses, avoid the stress and uncertainty of a trial, and everybody is guaranteed a nice slice of the pie. It made perfect sense. In every lawsuit, the potential of a settlement was always in the minds of the attorneys.

“Is this what your client wants to do?” Jake asked.

“I don’t know. We haven’t discussed it yet. But if it’s a possibility, then I’ll approach Herschel and lean on him.”

“Okay. This pie you’re talking about, how do you want to slice it?”

A long gulp, followed by a backhand wipe of the mouth, and Stillman lunged onward. “Let’s be honest, Jake, Lettie Lang is entitled to very little. In the scheme of things, and in the normal transition of assets and estates, she just doesn’t figure in. She’s not family, and regardless of how screwed up a family might be, the money almost always gets handed down to the next generation. You know that. Ninety percent of all money that flows through wills goes to family members. Ninety percent in Mississippi, same in New York and California, where they have, shall we say, bigger estates. And look at the law. If a person dies with no will, then all money and assets go to blood kin and no one else. Keeping the money in the family is preferred by the law.”

“True, but we can’t settle this case if Lettie is told she gets nothing.”

“Of course not, Jake. Give her a couple of million. Can you imagine that? Lettie Lang, unemployed, a career housekeeper, suddenly walks away with two million bucks, and that’s after taxes? I’m not denigrating the woman, Jake; hell, I came to like her during her deposition. She’s pleasant, even funny, a good person. I’m not being critical of her, but come on, Jake, do you know how many black people in Mississippi are worth seven figures?”

“Enlighten me.”

“According to the 1980 census, seven black folks in this state claimed to be worth more than a million dollars. All men, most were in construction or real estate. Lettie would be the richest black woman in the state.”

“And your client and his sister split the remaining ten million?” Jake asked.

“Something like that. Give a nice gift to the church, and we’ll split the rest.”

“That would be a good deal for you guys,” Jake said. “You’ll rake off a third of almost five million. Not a bad payday.”

“I didn’t say we’re getting a third, Jake.”

“But you’re getting a percentage?”

“I can’t say, but sure, it’ll be a nice payday.”

For some, thought Jake. If the case settled now, his fees would be severely reined in. “Have you discussed this with Wade Lanier?”

Stillman grimaced at the mention of his name. “That’s another story. Lanier wants my client, who, for now, is sticking with me. I don’t trust Lanier and I’ll spend the next six months looking over my shoulder. What a snake.”

“So the answer is no?”

“The answer is no. I haven’t discussed it with anyone.”

“I take it things are tense between your client and his client.”

“I suppose. Herschel and Ramona can get along when they have to, but Ian is the problem. Herschel said he and Ian can’t stand one another, never have. He sees Ian as a privileged little prick from a stuffy old family that managed to lose it all, and so he’s trying hard to regain some status and play the big shot. He’s always looked down on the Hubbards as something slightly above white trash, until now of course. Now he’s suddenly enamored with the family and has deep concerns for its well-being.”

It was not lost on Jake that Stillman referred to someone else as a “privileged little prick from a stuffy old family.”

“What a surprise,” he said. “Look, Stillman, I just spent eight and a half hours playing pitch and catch with Ramona, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say the woman drinks too much. The red, leaky eyes, the puffiness partially hidden under makeup, the extra layer of wrinkles that seem too much for a woman of only forty-two. I’m an expert on drunks because I’m close to Lucien Wilbanks.”

“Herschel says she’s a lush who’s been threatening to leave Ian for years,” Stillman said, and Jake was impressed with his candor.

“Now, she can’t run him off,” Jake said.

“Oh no. I think Ian is once again madly in love with his wife. I have a pal in Jackson who knows some of Ian’s drinking buddies. They say he likes the ladies.”

“I’ll ask him about it tomorrow.”

“Do that. The point is, Herschel and Ian will never trust each other.”

They ordered more beers and finished off their first round. Stillman said, “You don’t seem too excited about the prospects of a settlement.”

“You’re ignoring what the old man wanted. He was very clear, both in his will and in his letter to me. He directed me to defend his handwritten will at all costs, to the bitter end.”

“He directed you?”

“Yes. In a letter that accompanied the will. You’ll see it later. He was very specific in his desire to cut out his family.”

“But he’s dead.”

“It’s still his money. How can we redirect his money when his wishes were quite clear? It’s not right, and I doubt if Judge Atlee would approve it.”

“And if you lose?”

“Then I’ll lose doing what I was directed to do. Defend the will at all costs.”

The second beers arrived just as Harry Rex lumbered by without speaking. He seemed preoccupied and did not look at Jake. It was not yet 6:00 p.m., too early for Harry Rex to leave the office. He crawled into a booth by himself in a corner and tried to hide.

Stillman wiped foam from his mouth again and asked, “Why’d he do it, Jake? Any clues so far?”

“Not really,” Jake said with a shrug, as though he would honestly share inside dirt with his opponent. He wouldn’t give Stillman Rush the time of day if it could possibly help his cause.

“Sex?”

Another casual shrug, a quick shake of the head, a frown. “I don’t think so. The old guy was seventy-one, a heavy smoker, sick, frail, eaten up with cancer. It’s hard to imagine him having the energy and stamina to get it on with any woman.”

“He wasn’t sick two years ago.”

“True, but there’s no way to prove it.”

“I’m not talking about proof, Jake. Or evidence or trials or anything else. I’m just speculating. There’s got to be a reason.”

Then figure it out yourself, asshole, Jake thought but didn’t say. He was amused at Stillman’s clumsy effort at gossip, as if the two were old drinking buddies who often shared secrets. Loose lips sink ships, Harry Rex was fond of saying. Loose lips lose lawsuits.

Jake said, “It’s hard to believe a little sex could be worth twenty-four million.”

Stillman laughed and said, “Not so sure. Wars have been fought over it.”

“True.”

“No interest in pursuing a settlement?”

“No. I have my marching orders.”

“You’ll be sorry.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Not at all. The way we see it, Booker Sistrunk has already pissed off every white person in Ford County.”

“Didn’t know you were such an expert on Ford County.”

“Look, Jake, you got one huge, sensational verdict here. Don’t let it go to your head.”

“I wasn’t looking for advice.”

“Maybe you need it.”

“From you?”

Stillman drained his mug and sat it hard on the table. “Gotta run. I’ll pay at the bar.” He was already out of the booth and reaching into a pocket. Jake watched him leave, cursed him, then eased deeper into the room and slid into the booth opposite Harry Rex.

“Sitting among your friends?” Jake asked.

“Well, well, so Carla let you out of the house.” Harry Rex was working on a Bud Light and reading a magazine, which he put aside.

“I just had my first and last drink with Stillman Rush.”

“How thrilling. Let me guess. He wants to settle.”

“How’d you know?”

“Figures. A quick deal and those boys make out like bandits.”

Jake described Stillman’s version of a fair settlement, and they had a good laugh. A waiter delivered a platter of nachos and dip. “Is this your dinner?” Jake asked.

“Naw, this is high tea. I’m headed back to the office. You’ll never guess who’s in town.”

“Who?”

“Remember Willie Traynor, used to own the Times?”

“Sort of. I met him once or twice, years ago. Seems like he sold the paper about the time I arrived here.”

“That’s right. Willie bought it in 1970 from the Caudle family. It was in bankruptcy and I think he paid something like fifty grand for it. Sold it ten years later for one point five mill.” Harry Rex loaded up a nacho and stuffed it in his mouth. Pausing only slightly, he continued, “He never really fit in around here, so he went back to Memphis, where he was from, and lost his ass in real estate. Then his grandmother died and left him another bundle. He’s in the process of losing it too, I think. We were pretty close back in the day and he pops in from time to time, looking for a drink.”

“Does he still own the Hocutt House?”

“Yep, and I think that’s one reason he wants to talk. He bought it in 1972 after all the Hocutts died off. Talk about a weird bunch. Twins, Wilma and Gilma, plus a brother and a crazy sister, and none of them ever married. Willie bought the house because nobody else wanted it, then he spent a few years fixing it up. You ever seen it?”

“Only from the street. It’s beautiful.”

“It’s one of the finest Victorians in these parts. Kinda reminds me of your old place, just a lot bigger. Willie has good taste and the interior is immaculate. Problem is, he hasn’t spent three nights there in the past five years. He wants to sell it, probably needs the money, but, hell, can’t nobody around here afford it.”

“Whatever the price, it’s way out of my range,” Jake said.

“He thinks it’s worth $300,000. I said maybe so, but he’ll never get it. Not now, not ten years from now.”

“Some doctor’ll buy it.”

“He mentioned you, Jake. He followed the Hailey trial, knows all about the Klan burning your house. He knows you’re in the market.”

“I’m not in the market, Harry Rex. I’m in litigation with the insurance company. But tell him thanks anyway. Too rich for my blood.”

“You want some nachos?”

“No thanks. I need to get home.”

“Tell Carla I love her and lust after her body.”

“She knows it. Later.”

Jake walked to his office in a cold drizzle. The streetlamps around the square were adorned with Christmas wreaths and silver bells. Carols rang out from a Nativity scene in front of the courthouse. The merchants were open late and the stores were busy. There was a slight chance of snow tomorrow and few things excited the town like such a forecast. The old-timers claimed there had been a white Christmas in 1952, and even the slightest chance of one now had kids staring out of windows and stores offering shovels and salt. Shoppers scurried about with great anticipation as if a blizzard was expected.

Jake took the long route home, driving slowly away from the square and into the shaded streets of central Clanton until he turned onto Market Street. A light was on in the Hocutt House, a rarity. Jake and Carla had passed it many times, always slowly, admiringly, and always aware that the lovely Victorian was hardly used. There had always been rumors that Willie Traynor was selling the place. He had abandoned Clanton after he sold the paper, and everyone knew it.

The house needed painting. In the summer, the flower beds were choked with weeds and the grass was rarely mowed. In the fall, the leaves gathered in drifts on the front porch and no one raked them.

For a moment, Jake was tempted to stop, knock on the door, barge in, have a drink with Willie, and talk business. But the temptation passed and he headed home.