A Dance With Carlos

By Michael Don Fess

his novel is a sequel to "Mafia Politics, Louisiana Style," published by the author in 2011. It depicts life through the eyes of Lon Bigley, an assistant Attorney General and details his battle with corruption in state politics.
Louisiana is one of our states in which the mafia had a major foothold. While these characters and events are fictitious, they are inspired by real people and real events. This era was plagued by turmoil of Civil Rights protests, Viet Nam war protests, and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Louisiana remains a "welfare state" as one of the legacies of Huey P. Long. Examples are the charity hospital system, the free school books, and the huge patronage system where each new governor makes over one thousand appointments. New Orleans and Orleans Parish remain as special districts in the state.
Many states have graft and corruption problems, but Louisiana seems to excel in this area. News & Politics exposes some of the corruption and influence of organized crime. The characters are fiction, but were inspired by real people in Louisiana history.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Don Fess
• Release date: Dec 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310673597

Michael Don Fess

Michael Don Fess, an author since the early 1990s, has over twenty published books to his credit. His favorite genre is mystery novels, but has published some non-fiction books. He is a informative speaker at civic clubs and is an accomplished artist.His popular Caribbean Mystery series consist of four books and the historical fiction series about the wild Louisiana politics in 1964 is a three book series. The latest series about "The Secret DNA Code" has a sequel, "The DNA Conspiracy."

Book preview

Preface

This novel is a sequel to Dancing With The Mafia published by the author in 2014. It depicts life through the eyes of Lon Bigley, an assistant Attorney General and details his battle with corruption in state politics.

Louisiana is one of our states in which the mafia had a major foothold. While these characters and events are fictitious, they are inspired by real people and real events. This era was plagued by turmoil of Civil Rights protests, Viet Nam war protests, and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Louisiana remains a welfare state as one of the legacies of Huey P. Long. Examples are the charity hospital system, the free school books, and the huge patronage system where each new governor makes over one thousand appointments. New Orleans and Orleans Parish remain as special districts in the state.

Many states have graft and corruption problems, but Louisiana seems to excel in this area. This novel exposes some of the corruption and influence of organized crime. The characters are fiction, but were inspired by real people in Louisiana history.

Book two focuses on the area and events that occurred when Toledo Bend Lake was under construction. The series of events depicted here have roots the real world and is a uniquely fictionalized account of those events designed to give the reader a taste of real politics in Louisiana.

A Dance With Carlos

CHAPTER ONE

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Lon Bigley sat patiently waiting at a corner table at Crawfish & Stuff, a restaurant out on U.S. 90 on the edge of Baton Rouge. It was 7:15 in the evening and the dinner crowd was peaking. A woman in her mid-thirties entered and looked around. She had a purse in one hand and a shopping bag in the other. Lon was the only single occupant of a table, so she made her way over with an inquisitive expression.

Are you Mr. Bigley, she asked.

He nodded as he reached over and pulled out a chair for her.

I'm sorry to keep you waiting, she said as she sat down. I almost didn't have the courage to come.

So, what is this all about . . . Miss? He noticed that she seemed articulate and self-assured.

I'm Tina Landry and I'm a staff supervisor in the Insurance Commissioner's office.

Before Lon could ask any questions, a waitress stopped by their table to get their drink order.

I'll have a draft, he said.

Tea for me, please, she added.

So, he said as the waitress walked away, What is this all about . . . why so secretive? Your phone message was cryptic.

I could get in big trouble, she said, lowering her voice. There is a lot of money at stake. My cousin is Claude Hebert, a reporter with Times Picayune and he said I could trust you. I hope he was right.

Lon's face revealed his surprise. You're Claude's cousin? Now it begins to make sense. Claude told me he was working on a scam in the Insurance Commissioner's office. You're his source.

The waitress brought their drinks and wrote down their food orders on her pad. Would you like some Tabasco with your Etoufee?

Lon nodded and she left.

So . . . what kind of information do you have, Miss Landry?

This contains the bids from the last two years on group insurance for employees of various departments of the state, she said pointing to the shopping bag. One of my jobs was to destroy them, but I didn't. Instead, I smuggled them out in my briefcase.

I thought the Commission kept those records.

That's what people are supposed to think, but they can't afford to let anyone see these or have have access to them.

Why?

If you recall, when they announce the winning bidders, none of the insurance details are revealed.

"Now that you mention it, I never read about any bid details. I just assumed that they were too complex to try to explain in a news release.

That's because the details are negotiated with the company that offers the most money under the table . . . the bids are just window dressing.

Lon's question was interrupted as their food was delivered.

Wow, he said as he sprinkled Tabasco on his crawfish. That's heavy stuff . . . you are a brave woman to do this.

I grew up on a farm near Slidell, Mr. Bigley. We were what you would call dirt poor and I had to work my way through college waiting tables. I cannot stand by and watch these political appointees get wealthy taking kickbacks for substandard insurance coverage on all of our state employees.

Lon nodded. They ate their dinner in relative silence as he thought through the information he just received.

Why don't the insurance companies with unsuccessful bids complain about this process? he asked, finally.

They are all in collusion . . . they take turns supplying the coverage and they share the risk with coinsurance.

Let me see . . . I remember the term, coinsurance, but I've forgotten what it is.

That's where a company uses part of the premium to buy coverage from another company. They share the risk and the rewards. Banks arrange participations by other banks in large loans for the same reason.

Lon nodded as the waitress picked up their empty plates. He had already concluded that this woman was very savvy. They both ordered coffee and sipped the hot brew as the dinner crowd thinned out. Lon studied Tina's face while she wrote down her contact information.

If you must call me at the office, tell my secretary you are my cousin Lonnie.

Lon nodded. She just confirmed his earlier opinion that she was one smart lady.

I'm going to walk out and leave the shopping bag by my chair. Give me a five minute head start before you leave with it.

Lon nodded again. He understood and appreciated her caution. He watched her go with a slight feeling of emptiness. He realized that he had been fascinated with her sincerity and her determination. He also realized that he was looking forward to their next meeting. She was as pretty as she was smart.

He left a twenty dollar bill on the table, picked up the shopping bag, and walked to his car. He was in such deep thought about the contents of the bag, he didn't notice the car that followed him out of the parking lot.

Alexandria, Louisiana

Tim Bletman couldn't sit still. He paced the floor of the campaign headquarters in Alexandria. It was almost eight o'clock and the polling places would be closing. Election results should begin to trickle in by eight-thirty confirming the election of Congressman Gladden Flowers as the next Governor of Louisiana.

As the North Louisiana campaign manager living in Shreveport, he traveled to Alexandria to be a part of the celebration with the Congressman, an old family friend. The large room buzzed with excitement as phones rang and radio broadcasts revealed pre-election commentaries and predictions by various news people.

He reflected on the campaign and its highlights. Even for 1964 and with all the aftermath of the Kennedy assassination, Glad's campaign had its exciting moments. The biggest shock was his announcement that he had been working undercover with the FBI to trap Carlos Marcella, the mafia head in New Orleans.

That precipitated a $50,000 mob hit which produced two assassination attempts on Glad's life during the campaign. Also, while working with his friend, Lon Bigley and the Attorney General's resources, they exposed a major statewide scam involving office leases to various state agencies. All in all, it had been a very exciting year.

He walked over to the coffee bar and refilled his cup as he knew it would be a long night. The voting machine totals had to be tallied and the machines locked down to prevent tampering with the results. The totals from each machine had to be added under the watchful eyes of poll observers from each party.

Gus Polliard, the campaign manager for South Louisiana, joined him. Don't worry, Tim, he said. This election is a shoo-in.

Oh, I think you are right, Tim answered. I just prefer to have it confirmed.

I'm more worried about keeping him alive after the election, Gus said, as he walked back over to his desk, leaving Tim with a concerned expression on his face.

Baton Rouge

Lon Bigley awoke and stared at his bedside clock. It told him that he had overslept by forty-five minutes. He was groggy, having stayed up until 1:00 AM looking through and studying the contents of the shopping bag. He quickly showered, dressed, and decided he would grab a roll and some coffee at the office.

His long legs carried him with the shopping bag out to his car, only to discover the driver's side window broken out. The contents of the glove compartment was scattered on the passenger seat. His briefcase had been dumped out on the backseat and bits of glass covered the driver's seat.

After walking back to his apartment, he phoned the police, then called his boss and told Al his car was broken into and that he would be a little late. He looked down at the shopping bag he still carried and wondered if there was any connection.

Back at his car, nothing seemed to be missing, just trashed. The police car arrived and the patrolman filled out his report, telling Lon that it looked like some of the other break-ins in the area. Shaking his head, Lon restored the contents of the glove compartment and his briefcase. With a whisk broom borrowed from the policeman, he swept the glass off the seat.

The trip to the office was a little windy, with no glass in the door. His first chore upon arriving was to call an auto glass company to replace the broken window. He then placed the shopping bag with its contents in one of his lockable filing cabinets. With a cup of coffee in hand from down the hall, he tapped on the open door of his boss, Al Gravis, the Louisiana State Attorney General.

Come in, Lon . . . What happened to your car?

Lon related the details, then said, That's not the reason I'm here.

He told Al about his meeting with the girl, using no names, and about the contents of the shopping bag.

This has major implications, he said as he finished.

The frown on Al's face deepened as his concern mounted. Lon could almost see the wheels turning as his boss rubbed his forehead.

If the early results are any indication, he finally said, the sitting Insurance Commissioner was just re-elected yesterday. That would indicate business as usual for the next four years.

What do you know about your successor? Lon asked, referencing the fact that Al didn't seek a second term.

Well, again . . . the early returns indicate he will be Timothy Auguste Papillion. Everybody calls him Tap for short. He was a District Attorney over in La Place Parish and has an excellent record of convictions . . . no scandal that I am aware of.

How do you want to proceed with this insurance mess?

Hmmm . . . let's wait until the election results are official and I will call Tap in for a briefing. Let's let him help decide how to proceed. After all, it falls in his lap . . . I'm now a lame duck.

Lon nodded.

In the meantime, why don't you have those documents photographed and transferred to micro-film. I'm nervous about having the only copy.

Good idea, Lon said as he got up to leave.

By the way, Al said as he neared the door, give some thought to hiring a PR guy to document your accomplishments. You would make a good Attorney General in four years and the documentation would be a big asset if you ran.

Lon smiled with surprise.

Thanks, boss he said as he walked away.

Shreveport, Louisiana

Have you seen the morning paper? Tim asked as Lon answered his phone.

No, I overslept and just had my first cup of coffee. he answered with a chuckle. He knew that his friend was excited about the election results.

You won't believe what Glad just asked me, Tim continued. He wants me in his administration.

Well, congratulations are in order . . . when do we celebrate?

The official title would be Commissioner of Administration, Tim continued, ignoring the interruption.

I'll have to start calling you Mr. Bigley, Lon said with a smile.

I haven't accepted yet . . . what do you think?

I think it's a no-brainer . . . why would you hesitate?

Well, for one thing, I would have to uproot my family and move them to Baton Rouge.

That's not all bad.

Then, I would have to close my law practice in Shreveport.

The world can survive with one less lawyer, Lon quipped.

You're no help at all, Tim complained. Give me one good reason why I should accept.

It's simple . . . in four years, you can run for Governor and I can run for Attorney General.

There was a long period of silence, then a response.

You're serious, aren't you?

It's a possibility . . . give it some thought.

After another period of silence, Tim said, We'll talk later.

Lon heard a dial tone signaling the conversation was over, so he hung up the phone. He was amazed with himself for saying those things. It was just a spur of the moment comment. He realized that Al's power of suggestion went deeper than he expected.

He unlocked the file cabinet, lifted the shopping bag, and walked toward the elevator. As directed, he carried the contents down the street to Photographic Documentation & Printing. He failed to notice the man sitting in a car watching his every move.

Baton Rouge

Claude Hebert typed feverishly in the large office area of the largest daily newspaper in Louisiana, the Times Picayune. Founded in 1837 as the Picayune, it merged with its rival, the Times-Democrat in 1914 and became the Times Picayune. After several notable scoops, some while working with Lon Bigley, he was being considered for promotion to associate editor.

He grimaced when his phone rang. This was not the time for interruptions. Hebert, he said impatiently, when he picked up after the fourth ring.

Claude, this is Tina, she said. I'm scared . . . someone is following me.

Claude reacted with concern.

Where are you?

I'm at a pay phone in the lobby of the Capital Hotel. I told the people at the office I had a doctor's appointment.

Claude thought a minute.

How long have you suspected this?

I saw this car pull in behind me when I met your friend, Lon, at the restaurant. A guy was sitting there in that car when I came out . . . I've seen him several times since then.

Claude's mind whirled for an answer.

It must be a private detective, he said, collecting his thoughts. You are right cross the street from Lon's office. Phone him and ask him to walk over. I'm two hours away and he will be able to help.

You trust him that much?

Yes . . . and stay put, I'll be there after lunch.

Thanks, she said as she hung up.

Tina dialed the number she memorized for the Attorney General's office. When she asked for Mr. Bigley, she was told that he was out of the office. Disappointed, she stepped out onto the sidewalk to think.

Glancing down the street, she noticed a long-legged fellow coming toward her with a shopping bag. As he neared, she recognized Lon's face. She didn't know he was so tall since he had been seated during their initial meeting.

As she watched, two men stepped out of a doorway behind him. One of the men grabbed him from behind and the other man grabbed the shopping bag. They slammed him against a parked car and let him drop to the sidewalk. They jumped into a station wagon that had just pulled up, then screeched tires as it sped away.

Tina was stunned. Everything happened so fast, she couldn't believe her eyes. She ran toward where Lon lay semi-conscious on the sidewalk. He was struggling to get up when she arrived.

Are you okay? she asked, almost out of breath.

I think so, he said, still dazed.

His lip was bleeding from the blow his head took when it hit the car. He stood, shakily, and brushed the dust off his clothes.

The shopping bag! he exclaimed, suddenly realizing it was gone.

Those men took it, she said. They grabbed it and ran.

Damn, he cursed, in a rare use of profanity.

Were those the documents?

Unfortunately . . . yes.

Oh my, she sighed. All my work just went down the drain.

"Well, maybe not entirely . . . come down to the hotel coffee shop and I'll tell you about it.

He gingerly walked beside her down to the hotel where they found a quiet table in the corner. During the walk, he managed to shake off the jitters enough to get over being assaulted.

I just called Claude to tell him I was being followed. He asked me to call you, but you weren't in.

Apparently, I was also being followed. Now it starts to make sense. They must have picked me up when I came out of the restaurant yesterday with the shopping bag. This morning, I discovered that my car had been vandalized . . . I supposed they were looking for the bag.

Well, they found it and it's gone, she said. I was right to be afraid.

I wonder how they knew you had those bids?

I suppose there are informants on the staff who are paid to report anything they see. Someone could have seen me retrieving them from the hiding place I used.

We will let them think they have all the evidence . . . I just had each page photographed for conversion to micro-film. That's where I was coming from when they attacked me.

Please have several copies made, she said, thinking quickly. There is a lot of money at stake and this attack tells us how determined they are to keep it going.

You have a sharp mind, he said. I'm impressed.

Tina blushed a little.

I hope you realize something . . . now that they know you didn't destroy those bids, you really are in danger. They don't know what else you know or what other proof you might have.

I know, she said, her worried look returning. I may have to go to New Orleans and stay with Claude for a while. I have relatives here, but I think I would be safer in the crescent city.

Good idea, he said. Let me take you down there. I want you to meet my good friend, Captain Bruno, with the state police. He will help look after you.

Lon could sense some relief as her face relaxed. He began to realize this was a special lady She was not only smart, she was pretty..

Where are your parents? he asked, his curiosity emerging.

My dad was killed in WWII and my mom died of cancer three years ago.

I'm sorry, he said. No brothers or sisters?

Nope, I'm an only child . . . they were only married for two weeks before dad shipped out. I never got to meet him.

No wonder Claude looks after you . . . let's walk across the street to my office. I want to tell Al what just happened. We can come back over here and have lunch while we wait for Claude.

New Orleans

Captain Leonardo Bruno sat at his desk reading the Times Picayune about the preliminary election returns. He reflected on the near assassinations of the Governor elect, Congressman Flowers. The attempt in Ruston at Louisiana Tech had been prevented by a lot of luck. He and his men just happened to meet the man coming out of the stadium and notice something odd. They quickly checked him out and trapped him.

He knew they would not always be so lucky. Now that Glad was elected, the problem of prevention grew worse. His special unit of the state police had the responsibility of protecting him. The inaugural balls and other appearances would be coming up which would tax their ability. His phone rang