Innocence and Villainy

By J. J. O'Kelly

School board defendants are poisoned during a courtroom farce and Jim O'Kelly is a suspect. Jim's youth and education are garnished by mostly innocent older girls. He and Pat Wakely honeymoon and join the 'mile high club'. Jim supports racial integration and is fired from his position as school principal in Cobacco County, Virginia. Educators flee from Cobacco County's villainous Ku Klux Klan. Jim and black ex-educator Howard Hammond sue the Cobacco School Board for employment discrimination. Police investigate others suspected of the courtroom murders. The guilty party confesses on a death bed. Cobacco public schools integrate.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 13, 2012
• ISBN: 9781456857967

J. J. O'Kelly

Author J.J. O'Kelly's early years in Mount Freedom, N.J. were sweetened by his mother's love and humor. He was desolated by her early death. J.J.'s father taught him to like farm animals, but not farming. During high school he met young ladies on his Saturday mail route. He swore and tangoed while in the U.S. Army. After college, Jim and Pat married happily. Lawyers, school administrators and other charlatans plagued him. His first novel was "Youth's Fantasy". A third novel is in progress. He plays bridge and tennis. E-mails for the author handled [e-mail].

Book preview

Innocence and Villainy

J. J. O’Kelly

Copyright © 2012 by J. J. O’Kelly.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011913568

ISBN: Hardcover 978-1-4653-4534-9

Softcover 978-1-4568-5795-0

Ebook 978-1-4568-5796-7

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

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91529.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Persons Of Interest

Chapter One

Court Hearing Farce Precedes Calamity! February, 1959.

Chapter Two

Doctor Hopkins And Detective Brady Evaluate The Crime. February 9, 1959

Chapter Three

Chicanery During Early Days. 1927–1932

Chapter Four

Taught To The Tune Of A Hickory Stick.

Chapter Five

Brady Deposes Judge Lewis. 1959

Chapter Six

Unbearably Enchanting Snow And ‘Velvet Shoes’. 1933.

Chapter Seven

Jimmy’s World At School, Then Goodbye Home And Friends.

Chapter Eight

Detective Brady Deposes Jim O’kelly. 1959

Chapter Nine

School Bullies, Church And Mary Lou.

Chapter Ten

Jim Learns To Dance. No More Summer Gardening.

Chapter Eleven

Detective Brady Deposes Patricia O’kelly. February, 1959

Chapter Twelve

Charlatans Take Us For A Ride.

Chapter Thirteen

Catastrophe! Jim Decides About His Future.

Chapter Fourteen

Detective Brady Deposes Mary Tourneau. February, 1959.

Chapter Fifteen

Jim, Pat And The School Newspaper.

Chapter Sixteen

Jim Delivers Mail And Makes Conquests.

Chapter Seventeen

Lawyer Boise Is Not Forthcoming. February, 1959.

Chapter Eighteen

Pat And Jim Attend College Together.

Chapter Nineteen

Jim’s In The Army, Tangos And Is Honored.

Chapter Twenty

Temptation And A Philosophy Of Loving.

Chapter Twenty-One

Brady Deposes Marcas And Hammond. February, 1959.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Pat And Jim Teach, Marry, And Honeymoon.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Pat And Jim At Virginia Schools. June, 1953

Chapter Twenty-Four

Lawyer Aristotle Boise Is Deposed. February, 1959

Chapter Twenty-Five

The O’kellys Administer Two Schools, Then Disaster. 1954

Chapter Twenty-Six

Hanging Inquest. New Beginnings In Liberty County.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Doc Says, Take Two Argyle Socks And A Pill.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

A Deathbed Confession.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Court Re-Hearing. Integrated Cobacco County Schools.

Epilogue

High School Commencement. June 16, 2000

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to my family members: Pat, Chris and Laurel

for encouragement and time spent on suggestions and proofing.

Thanks also to friends: Vicki and Sue.

ALTERNATE CLIMAX CONTEST:

Dear Reader, The death bed confession at the end of Chapter 28 is brief, inconclusive and intended to mislead the police. Submit your opinion about Who Really Done it, how and why. Your Alternate Climax may be brief or extensive. The villain must be a person in this novel. Finalists will be notified before decisions about the winners. To qualify, these finalists will be required to snail mail proof that they purchased this novel prior to the date they e-mailed their ALTERNATE CLIMAX entry. Published authors do not qualify. The three best entries, in the author’s opinion, will receive 3% or 2%, or 1% of the net royalties the author realizes for Innocence and Villainy during the first year after its publication. E-mail your entry to [e-mail], give the last name of the person you believe poisoned Baenedicte and Shaw, then add your e-mail address and then your name.

Happy Reading and good luck. J.J. O’Kelly

PERSONS OF INTEREST

April Jim’s first childhood friend.

Andrews, Mrs. Teacher in Cobacco’s black eleventh grade.

Baenedicte, Arthur Cobacco school board administrator. In KKK.**

Boise, Aristotle Attorney for Cobacco school board. In KKK.**

Brady, Jack Detective investigating deaths at hearing.

Coyne, Mary Lou Jim’s fourth grade girl friend.

Ethel Jim’s second childhood friend.

Finebach, Becky Jim’s high school and college acquaintance.

Fran An attractive girl Jim meets on his part-time mail route.

Gloria College student abused by professor Gradstein.

Gorman, Jack Pat Wakely’s and Jim’s friend.

Gradstein, Professor Disbarred lawyer, College teacher.**

Gunther, George High school principal.

Hammond, Angela Cobacco school teacher, Howard’s wife.

Hammond, Howard Cobbaco high school principal. Jim’s friend.

Hopkins, Josiah Doctor at aftermath of deaths aborting hearing.

Jean High school graduate eager to engage and marry Jim.

Johannson, Professor College honor code adviser.

Kessler, Henry High school teacher and school newspaper adviser.

Lewis, Steven Cobacco county administrative hearing judge.

Lowell, Emily College student accused of honor code violation.

Mahon, Annie Neighbor in Caldwell, announced ‘War of Worlds’ scare.

Marcas, Frank Associate attorney for Cobacco school board.

Marks, Adolph Attorney and partner with Jim’s father, Seamus.

Montree, Eleanore Jacob Turner’s daughter

O’Kelly, Jim Murder suspect, young lover, teacher and school principal.

O’Kelly, Patricia Friend for years, and love of Jim’s life. Was Pat Wakely.

O’Kelly, Sarah Jim’s mother, who loved, taught and danced with him.

O’Kelly, Seamus Jim’s dad, mentor and friend.

Rosendorf, Fred Lawyer who stole Jim’s trust fund from his father.**

Rubenstein, Ruth College student, Honor Code Adviser and hedonist.

Rule, Rebecca Taught and encouraged Jim in a one-room school house.

Schlomel, Aaron Rabbi. O’Kelly’s neighbor. Young Jim’s friend and adviser.

Shaw, Henry Cobacco County school board chairman. In KKK.**

Sheriff Randolph Cobacco County police chief. Also in KKK.**

Snarf, Beverly Court reporter who disappeared during hearing.

Tourneau, Mary Attorney Boise’s secretary and mistress.

Turner, Jacob Integration oriented Cobacco school board chairman.

Turner, Peter Jacob’s son. Extracts snake venom.

Vine, Jack Cobacco high school teacher, intimidated by the KKK.

Wakely, Pat Wrote high school advice column. Eventually wed to Jim.

Wilson, Diane Taught Private Jim O’Kelly the topless tango.

**Villainous

Chapter One

Court hearing farce precedes calamity! February, 1959.

He strikes his gavel and Judge Steven Lewis begins, I will conduct this Administrative hearing, Case No. 59-106. Complainants, James O’Kelly and Howard Hammond seek recourse from respondent, Cobacco County, Virginia, for alleged illegal suspension of their teaching certificates. Lewis, a frail young man with pale complexion and thinning-sand colored hair, has a nervous habit of adjusting his bright yellow necktie as he speaks and then pulls at the red handkerchief displayed in his gray jacket. At first he seems friendly. He replaces Judge Weather who was given another case after capably handling the preliminary proceedings. Howard and I are afraid that Judge Lewis has little knowledge of our case since he was just assigned. The hearing room is informal, with scattered tables and chairs. The judge does have a podium. A court reporter sits at a table with a phone, next to the podium. Her voluminous brown hair bounces when she moves.

The complainants and respondents will now identify themselves.

Your Honor, I’m James O’Kelly, complainant and this is Patricia O’Kelly, my wife.

You will respectfully rise when you address the court.

I rise. I’m sorry Your Honor. I nod my head, stumble and sit down.

Howard stands, and puts his hands in his pockets. Your Honor, I’m Howard Hammond, the other complainant. He removes his hands and sits.

The respondent’s lawyer rises. Your Honor..He draws a deep breath and after a dramatic pause continues in a voice projecting beyond the hearing room. I’m Aristotle Boise, Chief Attorney for Cobacco County Virginia. I am aware of your fine decisions and in-depth knowledge of court procedures. Boise adjusts the tight suit enclosing his large rotund torso and waves his hand like a magician revealing a rabbit. This is my able assistant, County Attorney Frank Marcas. Next to him is Henry Shaw. Henry became our Public School Board Chairman after former Chairman Turner’s unfortunate suicide. The fellow with the bent nose is Arnold Baenedicte, who replaced Mr. O’Kelly as High School Principal. After another deep breath, his voice softens. Let me introduce Miss Mary Tourneau my personal secretary and consultant. She will be available to assist Your Honor."

Mary, please give Judge Lewis your card with phone numbers. Mary takes delicate steps, her stiletto heels tapping. She hands the judge her card with a deep curtsy revealing her cleavage and more. She winks at the Judge saying, If you want me,... please call.

The judge is flustered, drops his gavel on the floor, bends to pick it up and watches Mary as she swirls her skirt and taps back to her seat. He shuffles a few papers in front of him and says, I can’t imagine how you heard of me, attorney Boise. I recently joined the state judiciary. This is my first case. I was assigned yesterday and directed to close this case promptly and decisively.

Oh, I may have mistaken you for someone with a similar name. I apologize, Your Honor. However, your directive is appropriate, this case has dragged on. Your Honor, I object to Mrs. O’Kelly’s presence in the courtroom as an assistant. I notice she is on the complainant’s witness list. She should be sequestered and not allowed to hear the testimony before she testifies. She should have no opportunity to revise her testimony.

What say you Mr. O’Kelly?

Your Honor, Attorney Boise and his assistant Mr. Marcas plan to have two witnesses present during the entire hearing. If Mrs. O’Kelly is to be sequestered, administrators Shaw and Baenedicte should also be sequestered. Attorney Boise has Attorney Marcas and Miss Tourneau to assist him. If Mrs. O’Kelly is sequestered and they remain, I will request that this hearing be overturned.

The judge ponders, then smiles. No problem, everyone stays. The court reporter will delete Attorney Boise’s remarks about me. Do not continue recording until we clear up a few minor matters. Mr. O’Kelly, are you and Mr. Hammond represented by attorneys?

I stand up. No, Your Honor we represent ourselves.

That’s very disappointing. Have you heard the saying, ‘when you represent yourself you have a fool as a lawyer’?

"Yes, but respectfully Your Honor, another saying is ‘a fool and his money are soon parted’. Shakespeare’s Henry the Sixth has an often quoted phrase: ‘The first thing we do, let’s kill all lawyers’." Touche! But a bit overboard, I’m afraid.

Are you threatening us Mr. O’Kelly?

No Your Honor, I’m quoting Shakespeare.

The Judge rises to his full, gangly height, grasping his yellow tie. Mr. O’Kelly, remove your necktie. Mr. Marcas, I deputize you to tie Mr. O’Kelly’s hands with his necktie and search him for weapons. Pat him down and empty his pockets. If you find a knife, ice pick, revolver, explosives or anything that could be used as a weapon, I will call the police. Mr. O’Kelly, your statement is an obvious threat.

Your Honor, I object. Quoting Shakespeare is not a threat. I have no weapons.

Objection denied! The Judge’s face begins to redden. O’Kelly, silence! Remove your jacket and take your tie off immediately.

I stand, and comply. Marcas ties my hands behind me, pats me up and down and inverts my pockets. Marcas is embarrassed and mumbles, Sorry. Of course he only finds my wallet, handkerchief, a stick of chewing gum and keys. He gropes my private parts and says Sorry. Nothing unusual Your Honor, I don’t think he meant anything by it.

It’s too soon to make that decision. Mr. Marcas, please remove his shoes and socks.

Why can’t he take his shoes and socks off by himself?

Because he might remove a weapon, lunge and injure one of us. Mr. O’Kelly, lift your feet for Mr. Marcas.

I’m glad I have new shoes and socks for this elegant hearing. I don’t want to expose the bandage and ointment over my planters wart. My toe nails are a mess. Your Honor, this is insulting. I object, and will make a complaint to the Bar Association. You should require everyone in this courtroom to go through the same procedure to prove they have no weapons.

Removing the complainant’s shoes and socks is not in my job description. Your Honor, I will not continue as your deputy. Marcas walks briskly back to his seat.

Lewis gets red in the face, stands up and says. Mr. Boise please inform Mr. Marcas that I am in charge here.

Your Honor, he knows this is your courtroom. Attorney Marcas is easily upset. Boise shifts his gaze to Miss Tourneau. There’s honey in his voice. My secretary, Mary, frequently removes my shoes and socks and gives me a foot massage before I take my after lunch siesta in the office. May I ask her if she will remove Mr. O’Kelly’s shoes and socks? Boise looks affectionately at her, cocks his head and raises his eyebrows. She nods demurely and smiles.

The Judge says, From your reaction, it seems that you may be willing. Is that true Miss Tourneau?

I am willing. Should I massage his feet and legs as I normally do before Attorney Boise has his nooner nap? His Honor smirks and says, Not necessary.

Here I sit with my pockets inside out, and my hands tied. I wonder what reaction Shakespeare got for his lawyer quip? "I refuse to have my shoes and socks removed. It’s demeaning and I have a bandage with medication on my left foot. Your Honor I respectfully request that you postpone this hearing to allow your concerns with my feet to be aired and considered by a senior member of the judiciary. Shakespeare wouldn’t have agreed to appear at a hearing in his bare feet!"

Judge Lewis scratches his scalp through his sparse hair as he flips thru the pages of a thick folder. There is nothing pertinent in my hearing procedure manual. However, it allows a judge, when uncertain about procedure with one party to ask the other party for an opinion. Therefore, Mr. Boise, how do you and your associates think we should proceed?

The five of them huddle at the back of the room speaking quietly with some muffled laughter. After about ten minutes. Boise stands and says, Your Honor, we believe you have acted properly to protect us from injury or death. We abstain from expressing an opinion with regard to exposing Mr. O’Kelly’s feet. A writ of Habeus Corpus or Mandamus might be required to protect us all from Mr. O’Kelly’s threat to kill lawyers.

Forget about the writs. To reduce risk Mr. O’Kelly, you will have a restriction. You must tie your shoelaces in a number of tight knots so they can’t be untied quickly. Mr. Marcas, please untie Mr. O’Kelly’s hands but leave the necktie on his left hand so you can quickly re-tie both hands if necessary.

Marcas hops up and unties my right hand, with my left hand awkwardly adorned. I say, Your Honor, I am wearing loafers they have no laces.

"In that case, you will be in contempt if you even touch your shoes while in this building. In addition, Attorney Boise will accompany you if you leave the room. He will restrain you and shout help if you have access to weapons in your shoes or in the rest room or elsewhere."

Boise stands and with his hand to his chest in Napoleonic fashion says, The respondent’s entire case depends upon my experience and knowledge. I have a weak heart and could get palpitations if I attempt to restrain Mr. O’Kelly. With your permission, I delegate my healthy, young Assistant Counsel Marcas to do guard duty. Marcas puts his thumbs up.

That is acceptable, Mr. Boise. We will proceed with the preliminaries of this hearing. The court reporter, Ms. Uh..Snarf, will now discuss procedures.

Thank you Your Honor, I’m Beverly Snarf with the AAA Court Reporting Service. I am retained to record this hearing. The identifications of the parties will remain on the record. I have not recorded anything concerning the Shakespeare issue. During the hearing I may raise my hand and say ‘please repeat’. My company provides coffee and danish pastry. I did not know there would be so many representatives. I only have a small pot of coffee, cups, saucers, plates, sugar, cream, plastic spoons, napkins and four danish pastries. I apologize to Your Honor, Miss Tourneau, Mr. Hammond and the O’Kellys. I do not have enough for all of you, unless some of the school board members wish to abstain. Boise is busy reading a document, Marcas is taking notes, Shaw grins and raises a simulated cup to his lips and Benedicte is absorbed with cleaning his fingernails. Your Honor, Miss Snarf continues, May I ask Miss Tourneau to pour the coffee, unwrap the danish pastries and distribute them?

No Problem. Miss Tourneau you may distribute the refreshments. Please cup, saucer and plate them on the table behind your associates. She winks at him and gives confirming nods. His honor watches her attentatively as she waltzes fetchingly back and forth.

Ms. Snarf says, Your Honor. My recorder isn’t working properly. May I go back to my office to get another recorder as well as more coffee and snacks? It will only take about 15 minutes.

You may Ms. Snarf. Refreshments will be appreciated.

She puts her recorder in the suitcase along with some papers and departs. The judge leafs through his hearing manual, one hand on his tie like a security blanket. Meanwhile the school representatives partake of the refreshments. With their backs to the judge the four men eat pastry, drink coffee, and probably joke about my discomfort. I wonder how the judge likes being among the persona non grata without refreshments. Boise turns, stands and points at Pat. Mrs. O’Kelly, why don’t you pour some water for the judge, and your associates. The judge nods.

Pat stands, sneezes quietly, picks up her purse and blows her nose with a tissue. She carries her purse to the refreshment table behind the school personnel. While pouring water from the pitcher she sneezes again and uses another tissue from her purse. After delivering cups to the Judge and Howard, she returns for more water. She spills some on the refreshment table, blots it with a napkin and brings water for herself and me. Then she hurries back to the table for her purse. I apologize for the sneezes, Your Honor. I have allergies.

He nods and riffles through loose papers. I wonder if they include the blatant lies Baenedicte and Shaw swore to in their responses to my interrogatories. The Judge takes a drink of water and says, Mr. O’Kelly, at noon yesterday, I received notice that Judge Weather could not preside at this hearing today. He gave me your motion for delaying this hearing. I canceled some appointments and drove six hours to the motel here last night. I did not have time to study this case. It is likely that your motion has no foundation. Are you prepared to testify at this hearing as soon as the court reporter returns?

No, Your Honor..I cough. I respectfully request that you look at my motion justifying delay of this hearing. A few days ago, I received critical evidence withheld for many months. I didn’t have time to depose an important witness. Pat hands me a cup of water.

"The information you provided is not evidence. You may submit it during the hearing and if it is germane I may accept it. I’ll be able to get the idea of the case during the testimony and then I’ll know if your motion has merit. I will be able to tell by your demeanor when testifying if you are untruthful." He turns the documents face down, strokes his hair and adjusts his tie again. He reads the procedures manual. Sure he’s a human lie detector, or maybe he’s psychic. Pat puts her hand on mine and gives it a comforting squeeze.

I’m up again, Your Honor, with respect, please consider our problem. After innumerable improper and evasive responses to our interrogatories, The County completely ignored the last interrogatory for over two months. I made a motion to compel a response. A few days ago I finally received correspondence the County previously withheld. I need to locate the author of the correspondence, and depose her. It is crucial to this case. Please take the time to review and discuss the proofs I provided.

Before the judge responds to me, Principal Baenedicte makes loud choking and coughing noises. His face is red, he sweats heavily and his tongue hangs out. The judge jumps up. "Attorney Marcas please take Mr. Baenedicte to the rest room and help him. Miss Tourneau, use the phone here and make an emergency call for an ambulance and a Doctor. Mr. O’Kelly, my answer to your motion is No Delay! When Baenedicte is cared for, and the court reporter is back, the hearing will begin. If there is a discrepancy between the new information and prior interrogatory responses from the School Board, I will sort it out." Sure, he’s just here to deny our complaint!

Marcas runs back into the court room with slime on his suit. Baenedicte threw up on me, on himself, and fell down! I think he’s dead. No pulse on his wrist or carotid artery. God! Now I’m sweating and feel sick.

The judge backs away from Marcas, runs towards the door and shouts. "Everybody stay away from me. O’Kelly, you did this. Have you given us poison, or the Bubonic plague? Court is adjourned! Fend for yourselves. I feel queasy and sweaty. Judge Weather warned me about ‘first hearing disaster syndrome’. Marcas quickly follows the judge out the door.

I feel sick too. Maybe we’ve all got whatever it is. Boise moans and pushes Mary Tourneau out of his way, trips and takes a full frontal flop, blocking the doorway. Howard and I each grab an arm and drag floundering Chief Attorney Boise surfing thru the doorway on his big belly. I glance back and Board Chairman Shaw has his head on the table. His tongue hangs out, black and bloody. Mary and Pat run out screaming.

Chapter Two

Doctor Hopkins and detective Brady evaluate the crime. February 9, 1959

The paramedics try clearing their mouths. Shaw’s and Baenedicte’s swollen tongues and throats prevent breathing. A scalpel punctures their throats and oxygen tubes are inserted. There is minimal chest expansion, possibly due to severe bronchial constriction. Electric shocks applied to bare chests produce spasms but no breathing or pulse. They are dead, bagged and ready for a hearse.

Doctor Hopkins inspects Lawyer Boise’s mouth. No swelling. He gives Boise a shot of adrenaline to stop the sweating and trembling. Marcas says he feels better. The Doctor says, You were probably queasy due to fear. Marcas agrees and says he is glad he didn’t have the danish. Judge Lewis is sweating, trembling and gasping. The Doctor asks him to open his mouth. He inserts a tongue depressor. No swelling. As the tongue depressor is removed Lewis gags, and heaves noisily. He paints his own jacket, pants and shoes with odorous vomit almost matching the color of his tie.

Doctor was it poison? I ask.

Too soon to know, an autopsy will determine that. Judge, I suggest you retire to the bathroom and remove the soiled garments. I’ll ask a paramedic to bring you a hospital gown from the ambulance.

At that point a tall vigorous man enters the hallway where we lean or sit against walls. Someone called the station.

I’m Detective Jack Brady. I see there are bodies in the ambulance bags. What happened? Brady displays his badge. I’m glad you are here Detective, I’m Doctor Josiah Hopkins. Two men may have been poisoned. Death probably resulted from asphyxiation. These people can tell you about the catastrophe.

Boise immediately stumbles up to Brady, shakes his hand and loudly announces. I am the Cobacco County Attorney, Aristotle Boise. We were about to start an Administrative hearing foisted on us by this murderer, James O’Kelly. The two dead men became violently ill. The Judge and I became ill. The Judge accused O’Kelly of poisoning us. I was knocked over. O’Kelly and his black cohort dragged me out the door face down. Lock him up before he does more harm.

Judge Lewis says, "Mr. Boise is correct. O’Kelly probably poisoned us. Judge Wright warned me about him earlier. O’Kelly threatened to kill all the lawyers. I ordered his pockets searched for weapons and poison, unsuccessfully. I should have ordered a complete strip search."

Brady looks at Marcas and O’Kelly suspiciously. Which one of you is O’Kelly?

That’s me, Detective Brady. I did not threaten to kill anyone. I quoted Shakespeare after the Judge said we were fools for representing ourselves. I did not poison anyone.

Brady points to Marcas. Who are you? Did O’Kelly threaten to kill lawyers?

I’m attorney Frank Marcas, also with the County. Yes, I heard him say ‘kill all the lawyers’. The Judge asked me to search O’Kelly for weapons.

Mr. O’Kelly, I place you under arrest on suspicion of murder. Anything you say may be held against you in court. Put your hands behind your back so I can cuff you.

Pat speaks up. Detective, please stop. The Judge asked my husband why he didn’t have a lawyer. James then quoted Shakespeare’s ‘The first thing we do is kill all the lawyers’. That’s a well known quotation. James isn’t violent. Please ask Miss Tourneau if that wasn’t what he said.

You must be Miss Tourneau. Did O’Kelly say he was going to kill all the lawyers or did he quote Shakespeare?

Detective, I’m a legal aide working with attorney Boise. I want to consult with him before I answer.

Boise blustered, That’s right Detective. I will represent her and must have a private conversation with her before she is required to answer.

You can have a conversation with her, but it won’t be private. I don’t want you telling her what to say.

Boise quietly says, You were too busy with the coffee and danish to hear what O’Kelly said. Isn’t that so?

I heard the judge ask him about representation. The judge told the court reporter to stop recording. So I wrote down what was said. Would it be all right if I read it to the Detective?

Let me read it first.

But you don’t read shorthand do you Aristotle, honey?

Boise clears his throat. She’s a friendly Southern girl, detective. Probably will call you honey too. If her notes differ from what others tell you, please consider that she sometimes makes mistakes.

Brady looks puzzled, and says, Hold it everybody. I have to make a list of your names right now. He completes his list and says, OK where’s the court reporter?

Miss Tourneau replies, She left to get a new recorder and more refreshments. I don’t know why she hasn’t returned.

If she doesn’t come back by the time we’re through here I’ll find her. Mr. Boise, please direct Miss Tourneau to read from her notes and do not coach her. Boise reluctantly nods and mouths O.K. to Tourneau.

Judge Lewis asked Mr. O’Kelly, ‘Do you have an attorney representing you?’ Mr. O’Kelly answered, ‘No your honor we represent ourselves’. The Judge said, ‘That’s very disappointing. Have you heard the saying, when you represent yourself you have a fool for a lawyer?’ Mr. O’Kelly answered, ‘Yes, but respectfully your honor, there is also in Shakespeare’s Henry the Sixth an often quoted phrase, ‘The first thing we do, lets kill all the Lawyers’. That’s all they said at that time Detective Brady.

That’s pretty close. My three colleagues can help correct her errors. For any differences its three against one, isn’t it. Boise loudly announced. Mary isn’t completely right. Question her.

You will all make statements under oath at the police station tomorrow. Mr. O’Kelly please disrobe in the restroom. The Judge and I will determine whether you possess any foreign substances. Is that agreeable with you both?

The Judge tried to get my shoes and socks off in the courtroom in front of everyone. It’s in my best interest to prove that I have no weapons, poisons or incendiary devices. At least I’ll strip in semi-private. In the courtroom, I told the Judge that I have a bandage and medication on a Planters wart so don’t be surprised. Lets get it done.

The Judge says, I’ll go with you Detective Brady. Does anyone have some safety pins for the back of this confounded ‘peek-a-boo’ gown. I’m afraid I’m providing full disclosure.

Ms. Tourneau steps behind the Judge I don’t have safety pins, but I do have a few long hat pins. Please return them to me later. I use them to ward off unwanted fondling. Let me insert them for you. That’s a skinny butt. Don’t sit down you might get injured.

Brady sternly orders All of you stay here till we bring O’Kelly back. Stay far away from each other and don’t talk about anything. Doctor, I deputize you to enforce these restrictions while we are in the restroom. Anyone who has a conversation will spend some quiet time in a cell. After I disrobe, Brady examines my clothes, and explores my body with evidence gloves as I blush. He’s clean as a whistle with only a red sore under the gauze on his foot.

I re-bandage my foot wart, and put my clothes back on. I say, Judge, your suspicions were unwarranted, as was your inappropriate response to Shakespeare.

O’Kelly, if the hearing were in progress, I’d hold you in contempt. I still think he did it Detective Brady!

After we return from the restroom Brady announces, Mr. O’Kelly does not possess anything dangerous or inappropriate. I will not cuff or arrest him.

Boise steps up to Brady, Before she leaves here, you must disrobe Mrs. O’Kelly and check her purse. She and her husband did the poisoning together, I’m sure of it. The poison is probably in her purse, or in her shoe, bra or panties.

Brady asks, What makes you so certain, Boise?

"I’m Attorney Aristotle Boise. I object to your manner of address. It is impolite, objectionable and crude. I just lost two outstanding associates and friends. I deserve some kindness and courtesy. O’Kelly threatened to kill all the lawyers, then Mrs. O’Kelly spent a lot of time at the refreshment table behind the now deceased, Baenedicte and Shaw. She probably poisoned the pastry, drinks, spoons or all of them. If you don’t search her before she has a chance to dispose of the evidence, I’ll see to it that you lose your job, Brady."

Mrs. O’Kelly, did you go to the refreshment table?

Yes, Mr. Boise told me to get some water for the Judge, Mr. Hammond, Jim and myself. I poured two cups for the Judge and Howard, and delivered them. Then I went back and poured two more cups for us.

Boise puts his face close up to Pat and says, You conveniently forgot to mention where your purse was during your performance as water girl. Pat covers her nose and grimaces.

I pull him away from Pat by his sleeve, Keep your distance from my wife.

Detective Brady snarls, This is my investigation Attorney Boise. If you have any information, tell me and don’t try to intimidate anyone. Mrs. O’Kelly where was your purse when you were at the refreshment table?

"I sneezed just as I was about to get the water, and used a tissue from my purse. My nose still felt itchy so I brought my purse with me. I sneezed twice more. I took a fresh tissue each time and placed the