Chapter 34
Chapter 34
J ames had received an invitation to attend a mediation meeting with the city regarding his bid for the property. He made a call to Kingston to see if the check he had given for the property had been cashed, it had. With that knowledge in hand, he knew the people from Owens and Owens did not have a leg to stand on. He was confident he would come out of the meeting the victor. After speaking with ZsaZsa, he was ready to fight for the property and his plans for the future.
Elliott and Ulysses met him at city hall. The representative for Owens and Owens was none other than, Cleveland Little, the so-called attorney Taylor’s cousins had used.
“So, we meet again,” Mr. Little smirked.
“If this is your representative, we are wasting our time,” James stated. “I am not about to negotiate the time of day, much less the property I now own with this man.”
“He is not our representative,” the man who visited him stood. “However, it has come to our attention that your reputation is in question.”
“Gentlemen, this is a mediation proceeding to determine if the property located in the section listed was improperly granted to one James Avery Brooks. Are one of you Mr. Brooks?” The county supervisor questioned.
“I am, sir,” James replied. “May I ask who the complaint was from?”
The county supervisor looked at the man who had visited his office then cleared his throat. “The complaint was anonymous.”
James smiled. He knew the game now. The county supervisor was in on the deal with Owens and Owens. He glanced around. “Is there someone available to take minutes from this mediation? There may be legal steps that will be taken. I believe it is imperative to get the record straight. Shall I place a call to Judge Silvio. I spoke with her a moment ago. I believe her court clerk is available this morning.”
“I see no need to bother the judge. This is a simple matter of Mr. Brooks depriving the city of pertinent information regarding his reputation.” The man stood.
“Oh, but I do,” James reiterated. “In fact, I have a statement here from Judge Silvio,” Ulysses and Elliott were in the hearing room with him. Ulysses handed him a piece of paper. “She has graciously offered to participate in this mediation.”
“I would like to speak, Your Honor.” Mr. Little stood.
“He is not a judge,” James stated. “Refer to him as Mr. Supervisor.”
“Mr. Supervisor, this man was involved in a murder. The trial was a few years back.” Mr. Little stated.
“When he submitted his document, Mr. Brooks did not disclose that information.” The man who visited his office added.
“You were involved in a murder?” Elliott asked as he and Ulysses glared up at James with laughter in their eyes.
The look on Elliott’s face was so serious, James tried not to laugh, but a small chuckle escaped.
“Is this correct Mr. Brooks?” The county supervisor asked.
“No.”
“Are you not James Avery Brooks? That’s the name on this murder case,” Mr. Little stated.
“I’m certain that it is,” James replied. “You do realize the chief of staff to the president of the United States name is also James Avery Brooks. As you are well aware, I am James Avery Brooks Jr. I am his son. My father was the attorney on that case.”
The county supervisor’s head shot up. He glared at the man sitting at the opposite end of the table.
“Looks like trouble is a brewing,” Ulysses said as he cleared his throat.
“Your uncle was the defendant,” the man who visited James’ office stated. “There is a pattern of missing people or dead bodies that follows this family, Mr. Supervisor. Do you want to give control of a significant piece of property in your region to a family with a questionable reputation?”
James held his hand out and Elliott passed him another folder. “I will put my family’s reputation up against any person in this room. Can you say the same? Allow me to run down a few incidents involving Owens and Owens Construction. There was a fire at one location where the insurance company was investigating. There was another incident where a family member who lived in a home Owens wanted to purchase ended up being thrown from a building, there was another accident….”
“That is enough, Mr. Brooks. I think you have made your point,” the county supervisor interrupted.
“I’m only halfway down one page, sir. I have more.” James claimed.
“I think that is enough.”
“Then allow me to say this,” James walked to stand next to the county supervisor to pull his eyesight away from the man at the end of the table. “I paid a good sum of money to the city for twenty parcels. The check was cashed. The sale was approved. Based on that alone, I should not have been summoned to a mediation meeting. Legally, there is nothing to mediate. If I need to take this situation to court, I am certain a judge will ask the following, who made the complaint, what evidence did they provide to you and from what law school did Mr. Little receive his Juris Doctor degree? Shall we end this inquiry?”
The county supervisor held James’ glare for a long moment. He then cleared his throat. “No. I believe we have all the information we need to dismiss the complaint.”
The man at the end of the table stood abruptly. “Mr. Supervisor…”
“That’s all we have,” the county supervisor stood then walked out of the room.
James walked back over to where Elliott and Ulysses sat. The man walked over to James. Elliott stood bracing for a battle.
“Tread lightly, Mr. Brooks.” The man grumbled.
“You do the same, Mr. Masters.” James replied. He could see the shocked expression in the man’s eyes. But a second later it was replaced with dangerous daggers. “Yes, I know who you are. It is wise that you remember who I am.”
Masters stared, smirked then gritted out. “The last name of Brooks will not protect you from me, young blood.”
“You should be concerned with the name,” James replied as he stared the man down. “While my last name is one of pride, it is not the name you should be concerned with. Just know your military training will not protect you from me. Have a good day, Masters.”
The look on Masters’ face let James know his statement had gotten his attention. James and Elliott stood there, with legs braced, ready to pounce.
Masters smirked, “We shall meet again Brooks.”
“Yes, I would imagine we will.” James smirked then turned to the other snake in the room. He was no longer concerned with Masters for he knew Elliott had his back.
“You missed the mark again, Little,” James said as he turned towards the man.
“There will be a next time,” Mr. Little hissed.
“I’m sure there will be,” James shook his head. “Bugs like you aren’t easy to kill.” James chuckled as Cleveland Little hurried from the room leaving him, Elliott, and Ulysses alone. He heard Elliott’s phone buzz. He had turned his off before entering the meeting.
Elliott answered grinning at James’ words. But then the smile disappeared. “Hold up, let me put this on speaker. James is here.”
“The man who was following ZsaZsa has resurfaced. Our tracker has him at LaVeré’s estate.” Calvin advised. “We also discovered he is a diplomat for the country of Zyrier.”
“Zyrier, in Africa?” James raised an eyebrow. “Why would someone from Zyrier be interested in ZsaZsa? She is from Emure.” James questioned as he turned his phone on. He noticed he had several missed calls from Gavin and one from Carolyn. His heart began to race. “Hold on, somethings happening at LaVeré’s.” He pushed the button to call Carolyn, but she did not answer. He then called Gavin.
“Man, where you at! They came and took ZsaZsa,” Gavin stated. “They just took her, man.”
“Who took her?” James questioned.
“Her brother, man.” Gavin yelled into the phone. “Him and his guards took her back to Emure.”
“What brother? LaVeré?” James asked now frantic with concern.
“No, the King one, Aswan. Man, he wouldn’t let her call anyone or even pack her stuff. She’s gone man. She’s gone.” Gavin huffed.
“Where’s your mother? Where’s Carolyn?” James asked as he started rushing from the room.
“She’s trying to contact LaVeré’. He’s out of the country.” Gavin replied.
“What’s happening?” Elliott asked.
“They took ZsaZsa,” James answered “Ulysses wrap this up and get the deeds from the city. I have to go. You’re in charge until I get back.” He ran out of the building with Elliott right behind him.
“Tell me everything that happened Gavin.” James shouted as he jumped into the vehicle. Elliott was behind the wheel. “Elliott, get me on a plane to Emure.”