Sterling Sands

By Larry Wade Livingston

Sterling Sands is a spoiled, rotten, super rich kid working for his fathers business. He decides to change his life and becomes what society would call an average person. Being a high-snubbed attorney had made him cold and ruthless. That began weighing hard on his heart. Emotions were slowly taking over his minds thought patterns. During his metaphoric development, he has the time to truly weigh the checks and balances of both worlds. Could he walk the line of both right and wrong? Could he represent the poor while trying to defeat his familys best corporate friends? His last journey would mold him to a life that he decides is best for him. What side will inherit the talents of Sterling Sands?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524583477

Larry Wade Livingston

Larry Wade Livingston was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in the month of November. He grew up traveling state to state only living in cities sometimes for only a few short weeks. His step-dad was an over the road truck driver which allowed him to attend countless schools throughout his entire childhood. Always being the new kid in school he really had no friends. He found that by writing stories it occupied his mind and he could create his own little world. It was a world that he could control and was accepted. I hope you enjoy the stories that Mister Livingston still amuses himself with as an adult. He writes humorous tales to deep complicated ones and covers many subject matters. If you enjoy his tales and downhome style, you can also find other books by Larry Wade Livingston at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Other books by Larry Wade Livingston The Poetic Storyteller. A book of poems representing the many poetic forms. Three Agendas. A book of three Sci-Fi stories filled with suspense and intrigue. Short Stories from My Heart. A book of Mr. Livingston’s favorite short stories. Sterling Sands. A book of a lawyer’s morality between good and evil. The Protectors. A book of people that are unseen and control part of earth’s survival. The Alignment. A book with many clues throughout to explain the Alignment and its prophecy. A life living fate. A lawyer’s story of making decisions, but were they his alone, or were they predestined? Panadonia. A book about a secret world hidden in the center of earth, until a young boy from earth discovers it’s existence.

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Copyright © 2017 by Larry Wade Livingston.

Cover Picture by Larry Wade Livingston

Library of Congress Control Number:   2017902163

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5245-8349-1

                Softcover        978-1-5245-8348-4

                eBook             978-1-5245-8347-7

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.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 02/13/2017

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Table of Contents

Dedication

Sterling Sands

Fantasy and Illusion

From Haunted to Reality

From the Inside Out

Gunter Jupiter

Love Abides

My Favorite Things

Sarah Miller

Satans’ Tree

The History of Life’s Time Capsule

Wade Williams

You and I Converse

Time

Dedication

I dedicate this book of short stories to my Mother and my Aunt Ann. Both were wonderful writers up to the time before their deaths. It is sad that they never had the opportunity to have their work published or even read by more than a few friends. I always say that if I can bring out one second of emotion from the reader I have accomplished my goal. To affect a person and get them to react is a wonderful sense of satisfaction to me; I call it the power of words. They can cry, laugh, get angry or even hate what they read; but if it arouses them, I have succeeded in every aspect of writing. I must say that I thank the good Lord for giving me the gift to tell short stories.

LARRY WADE LIVINGSTON

Sterling Sands

By LARRY WADE LIVINGSTON

CAMBRIDGE

Sterling Sands was your typical spoiled, rotten rich, kid. He was head of his class and studied law at Harvard University. His father is Elliot Sands, the founder and CEO of Sands’ Corporation.

Sterling drives a Lamborghini Renton, (one of only twenty that were manufactured). That car, since it cost 1.6 million dollars, is his pride and joy. It said to everyone that he was arrogant and richer than anyone else.

Needless to say he had few friends; but the ones he did have, were also the spoiled, upper-class from Harvard. The main thing that Sterling had over the others is that his family name was almost unknown. The Sands’ business is in the high-tech development of leading technology in today’s electronics.

Sands’ Corporation, located in San Jose, California is behind the development of microprocessors, mother boards and various electronic cards that companies like Microsoft, Oracle and Apple use on a regular basis to enhance their product lines. The company is listed on the NASDAQ; but under E S Enterprises. It is hidden in mutual funds that contain more than 200 other companies.

No one on the board is allowed to give interviews or interact with the press/media in anyway. It makes Elliot Sands livid to see his name every year in the Forbes list of billionaires. He struggles very hard to keep his family low key. In truth, he hated Sterling driving the Lamborghini; but he couldn’t get him to tone down that particular fault.

It’s hard for Sterling to try and be a normal person like you and me. He has only known maids, butlers and money that jet setters live with. With that said, he did try in many ways to be what his father wanted. He never talked about the family business or his home life. In several ways he was a normal college boy when it came to girls and sports. His biggest faults were his attitude and persona. He was a spoiled rich kid and he loved being wealthy.

However, he did work hard when it came to his school work. You must give him credit where credit is due. He was a straight 4.0 student and spent hours studying to achieve that grade average, during his entire four years at Harvard studying law.

Sterling felt humbled the day the Dean called his name and he walked across the stage to receive his diploma. As he held it in his hand he realized that for the first time he had earned something and it wasn’t something that was just handed to him. He finally understood pride and a newly found sense of self worth engulfed him. It made him feel so good that his entire body tingled with the sensation of personal success. His attitude changed that day for the better. It was as if he grew up and left adolescents behind, all in a matter of seconds.

He had been accepted by one of the largest law firms in Miami, Denton, Denton and Goldwin. Time would tell if he could separate the new found Sterling from the old Sterling that was self serving and narcissistic. He would have to learn to represent clients with his heart, soul, and mind now that his out look on life was changing. He would have to work on his ego when it came to winning at any cost. There comes a time when inner conflicts must battle to discover a true victor.

Sterling did something that is hardly ever done; he drove his Lamborghini from Cambridge, Massachusetts to Miami, Florida. He used the road trip to reflect on the man he wanted to become. How could he fit into the corporate law world and still be an easy fun loving man with morals? He had to act a certain way that was expected in order to earn credibility and build a repetition of a fierce opponent in court. That usually meant being a son of a bitch by dancing back and forth on the letter of the law or by pushing the spirit of the law to its limit.

MIAMI

He finally arrived at his condo along the South Beach coastline which has an extraordinary view of the city and the Atlantic Ocean. He truly didn’t want to live in such an expensive penthouse forty stories high; but it was a graduation present from his mother Susanna. He called home and let his parents know that he had arrived safe and sound. Then he sat out on his deck and mentally prepared for his first day on the job Monday morning.

When 10 AM Monday finally came to be a reality, it was a sunny, blue sky, 86 degree day. Sterling walked through the glass doors at the Denton, Denton and Goldwin law office’s that were in the prestigious Washington building. He made his way to the top floor of the thirty story building and found the office of Steven Denton, founder of the law practice. He paused at the door, took a deep breath as he raised his hand to knock, but was interrupted.

May I help you sir? came a voice from behind him.

He turned and was confronted by a lovely young redheaded woman wearing a yellow jumpsuit outfit. She looked to be in her late twenties with long hair and wearing six-inch yellow heels. She had a diamond necklace around her neck and a lady Rolex on her left wrist.

My name is Sterling Sands and I have an appointment with Mister Steven Denton at ten AM.

I am Serenity Long and I see to every need for Mr. Denton, including who sees him or not, I am his personal secretary she snapped back as she approached her desk. She glanced at her computer screen and hit several keys on her keyboard.

Yes, I see you do indeed have an appointment today. Mr. Denton, there’s a mister Sterling Sands here to see you, she said as she pushed the button on the intercom on her desk.

Thank you Serenity, please send him in, replied a voice over the interoffice system.

Sterling entered as he smiled back at the secretary. He then turned his attention to his new boss Mr. Denton. Good day sir, it’s a pleasure to meet you, he said.

"No, no, it’s my pleasure to meet you young man. Anyone who can be at the top of his class four years in a row and graduate with honors from Harvard is someone special. I am thrilled that you’ve decided to accept my firms offer to work here in Miami. I talked to your father and he says that you’re all set up in your new place at South Beach, that’s wonderful.

What I would like for you to do is to sit in on a case with Ted Smothers tomorrow so you can get a feel of our style, system and for the judges here in Florida. As you know we are basically a Corporate law firm; but we do other types of cases on occasion, if the money is right and we know we can win.

We handle most of the high profile cases in Dade County and Southern Florida down to the Keys. I’ll let Serenity show you to your office and tomorrow Ted will pick you up at 8:45 sharp at your office to go to court. There was a pause as he pushed down on a button, Serenity, come in here and show our new associate to his office," he ordered.

Remember this Sterling. We are a money making firm foremost. It’s all about the money. Don’t ever forget that. We aren’t a bleeding heart, touchy feely feel sorry for you type of firm. We’re a dog eat dog firm that will eat you up and spit you out in a second.

Thank you Mr. Denton. I will do my best to live up to the expectations that you have for me, Sterling replied.

Serenity led Sterling to the elevator and escorted him down to the 27th floor where she showed him to his corner office. This is your new home away from home, so enjoy, she said as she turned and walked away.

You’re kind of a snob aren’t you? Sterling said.

She whipped around with a scorn on her face. You come and talk to me in three or four years from now. I can’t wait to see the different you that will be standing there then. You don’t know crap. You will either be an A hole, have quit or blown your brains out just to escape the hell coming your way. Enjoy the big money while you can because the time will come when you’ll realize that it isn’t worth what you have to do to get it, she barked. It was obvious she didn’t know who Sterling really was when it came to money.

Sterling just smiled and sat down behind his solid oak desk. He swiveled around in his chair and glanced out at the city and the blue/green ocean. After a few moments he walked the halls and introduced himself to the other attorneys and support staff. Everyone seemed courteous and welcomed him to the firm as he found his way to the break room, bathroom, etc. He ran into CEO Simon Denton, one of the other partners. They exchanged pleasantries and the usual small talk before parting ways.

Sterling went home at one PM to finish moving in. By that I mean he called an agency and hired a maid, chef and a driver to take him to work. He put his Lamborghini in a temperature controlled garage with access in case he wanted to drive it. He may have had a change of heart and soul; but something’s he was used to were hard to completely eliminate. He really didn’t think of it as being aristocratic, but as giving three people a job.

He had no idea of what the facts were in the case he was going to observe the next morning and that kept him awake most the night. He was up and ready as his doorbell rang out. He opened the door and saw a well dressed man not much older than himself.

Good morning, I am Ted Smothers, are you ready for your first day in court? I know I was supposed to pick you up at your office; but I thought this was faster and we could talk a bit longer, he continued.

Nice to meet you Ted; I’m ready to hit it. Let’s go.

As they were going to court Ted explains to Sterling the basic points of his case. He tells him the case is about a twenty-one year old white male that is accused of raping the mentally challenged sister of his wife. The reason the firm is handling the case is because the young man in question is Trevor Bullock, the son of Roger Bullock; CEO of Bullock Yachts, based in Miami. His son’s wife is Mary Ann and she is the daughter of Raymond Stiles, the CEO of Stiles Aviation, located in Atlanta, Ga.

Bullock yachts make custom built yachts for the wealthy of the world. Some of them cost eighty to a hundred million dollars each. Roger Bullock is a client of Denton, Denton and Goldwin and a personal friend of Steven Denton. I was hired to do these types of cases because I studied more for them than corporate.

Ted had to stop explaining the case because they arrived at the Miami Dade courthouse. They exited the limousine that they had been riding in and entered the courthouse. As they entered the courtroom their client Trevor Bullock had already been seated at the defense table. Ted introduced Sterling and explained that he was with the firm and would be sitting in on his case.

As the day went by and the evidence of the case was unfolding to the jury, Sterling began to have a gut feeling that their client was guilty. He thought more so over the next two days of the trial. The case went to the jury on Friday morning and Sterling was shocked to hear the verdict late that afternoon of not guilty.

He had to find out how this came to be, so he requested a copy of the court transcript to read and study. He went over the case during the weekend and found what he thought to be the reason Trevor Bullock got the verdict he did. It gave him a whole new look at the law and made him reflect on what Steven Denton had said in his office that first meeting. It’s all about the money.

Ted somehow got the state to charge Trevor bullock with first degree rape and come to an agreement that no other charges would ever be used to retry this case. That meant no 2nd; third or statutory rape charges could ever be brought towards Trevor Bullock; in fact, no charges pertaining to twelve year old victim Sandy Stiles of any kind.

Trevor Bullock had been arrested on three separate counts of first degree rape with a minor. The minor in question was his wife Mary Ann’s retarded sister Sandy. There had been no eye witness’s of the actual sexual encounters; but several witnesses that saw Trevor and Sally leave together on all three incidents in question.

The first time was at Sandy’s eleventh birthday party, where several people saw them leave together out the back door and go into the barn. They thought that maybe he had a birthday present for her hidden in the outbuilding, so they thought nothing of it.

The second alleged rape took place at church camp that same year. Trevor was a counselor at the three week camp and Sandy was one of two-hundred other children with disabilities that attended the camp. When four other counselors saw him with Sandy walking in the woods they thought nothing of it since they were related.

The third time was two weeks after Sandy’s twelfth birthday party during a family Bar-B-Q. A dozen people saw Trevor and Sandy go into the house while they were enjoying the warm summer day and festivities. They noticed Trevor returned in approximately twenty minutes, but not Sandy. After a few minutes had passed Mrs. Kay Mullins, Sandy’s biological mother, went looking for her daughter.

Sterling continued to read the court transcript while focusing on the personal testimony by all the witness’s. He saw many inconsistencies that led him to believe the case was funneled into the direction of not guilty by design. He reads on to his dismay.

The party was interrupted by her loud scream coming from the upstairs bedroom. The men went running upstairs first followed by the women. To everyone’s shock Sandy sat on the edge of the bed naked with blood on her hands and legs. What happened to you honey? Are you hurt, did you cut yourself? What happened here sweetie? Sandy’s mother caringly inquired.

I don’t know mommy. I was just playing with Trevor and I started to bleed mommy, Sandy said.

What do you mean playing with Trevor honey?

We have a secret game we play; but I never had blood before and this time it hurt me to play mommy. I told Trevor I really didn’t want to play anymore; but he said I had to next week-end mommy after I quit hurting in a few days.

Tell me what Trevor and you have been doing honey.

We take all of our clothes off and then Trevor sticks his thing inside me down there and he moves all around mommy.

Mrs. Mullin’s stood up and turned to face the young Mr. Bullock. You perverted son-of-a-bitch. You’ve been raping my daughter. You’re a sick low life bastard. I’m going to kill you myself, she screamed as she lunged at him.

Mr. Frank Mullins struck Trevor flush on the jaw knocking him unconscious; which for him was lucky because Mr. Mullins probably would have beaten him to death if he would have fought back.

Kay Mullins was once married to Raymond Stiles. They had two children, Mary Ann and Sandy. Sandy was born with a mental abnormality which made her slow to learn or comprehend.

It was determined that Kay Stiles had used drugs and that had highly contributed to Sandy’s condition. Raymond divorced her and got full custody of the two children when Kay went to a rehabilitation center out of state.

After a year Kay was deemed healthy and released back into the real world. She has remained clean ever since. She remarried with her current husband Frank. Raymond and Kay talked out their differences and both families became good friends. They attend Bar-B-Q’s, parties and other functions on regular bases.

When Mary Ann married Trevor, Sandy wanted to live with her big sister. It may not have been the best thing; but Sandy’s life was so much better when her sister was by her side. Trevor said it was OK, so Sandy moved in with the newly married couple.

Six months after the incident at the Bar-B-Q the trial started. The usual procedure of selecting a jury and reading of the charges were carried out according to the laws of the state of Florida.

The prosecution gave its opening statement in which it explained how they would show how the defendant got his victim away from events and then raped her.

The defense during their opening remarks stated that their client was not guilty and that the jury would have to acquit their client.

The prosecutor, Richard Baldwin, called over two dozen people that testified that they had seen Trevor Bullock leaving at some point with the young Sandy from each of the three events mentioned in the triple rape charges.

Mr. Baldwin called Doctor Evens who had examined Sandy to testify to his finding. He stated that the young girl had had sex more than once and that she was now menstruating. She showed signs of vaginal tearing and some scarring.

Mr. Baldwin decided not to bring Sandy into the courtroom; but instead was allowed to show a video interview with her to the court and jury. As the jury watched they heard Sandy say in her own words how Trevor on three different occasions took her to places where they could be alone. He took off his clothes and she took hers off.

She was given two anatomically correct dolls, one male and one female. She demonstrated with them what she and Trevor had done together. When the video ended the Prosecutor rested his case.

Ted Simmons sat at the defense table looking cool, calm and collected. He stood and solemnly said, The defense calls only one witness your honor; Miss Sandy Stiles.

A hush fell over the courtroom as Judge Carter banged his gavel. Are you sure that is what you want to do Mr. Simmons? asked the judge

Yes your Honor

The doors of the courtroom opened and Sandy was escorted to the witness stand. She was sworn in and the judge asked her if she knew what that means. She said she did and that she would tell the truth because her mommy said it was a bad thing to tell a lie.

Ted started his questioning. Hello Sandy, how are you today?

Fine

That’s good to hear. Do you know the man sitting over there at the table?

Yes, that’s my sister’s husband Trevor.

Please tell me about the game that you and Trevor played. Tell us where and when you played. You do not have to say right now the things you did, just where and when it happened.

The first time was at my birthday party when I was eleven. Trevor took me out to the barn. He said he had a present for me. When we got out there he said I had to take my clothes off.

Did you do that by yourself or did Trevor help you do that?

I did it all by myself.

Why did you do that Sandy? Weren’t you afraid?

Yes a little; but he said that was what I had to do to get my birthday present. He also said that if I didn’t do it he would not like me or my sister. I didn’t want him to not like me or Mary Ann, so I did it.

That’s enough for now Sandy. Did something like that happen again?

Yes, when I was at camp in the summertime, I liked camp; but after Trevor made me do the same thing again, I don’t like camping anymore or walking in the woods.

Did you and Trevor do the same things that you did in the barn?

Yes, I took my clothes off and so did he.

When was the last time Trevor and you were together with your clothes off?

Everyone was at a fancy house. We were having fun and having a Bar-B-Q. Trevor told me to come upstairs. I said no; but he told me he hated Mary Ann and would hate me now. He said if I went with him he would like my sister again. I didn’t want him to hate her anymore and I didn’t want to be the reason for him to hate her.

Thank you Sandy, I know that was hard for you to remember and to tell us. Before you came into the courtroom everyone saw your video where you showed Mr. Baldwin what took place between Trevor and you. Would you please take these two dolls, one male and one female and show the court exactly what Trevor the boy doll did to you the girl doll.

Sandy placed the girl doll face up and put the boy doll on top of it face down. She then put the girl doll face down and put the boy doll on top of it face down.

Ted took the dolls from her and said Thank you Sandy. You were a good girl today and we all thank you for coming here. I have only a couple of questions left for you. Did at anytime Trevor threaten you with physical violence? What I mean Sandy is did he ever hit you or did he have a weapon like a gun or knife that scared you? Did you ever think he was going to hurt you if you didn’t do what he asked?

No, he only said he wouldn’t like me or Mary Ann and I didn’t want him not to like us, so I did those things because I love my sister. I’m sorry mommy if I did something wrong, Sandy cried out.

No! No! Honey, you didn’t do anything wrong, her mother cried out from the courtroom.

Order, order in the courtroom, announced the judge while banging his gavel.

That’s all I have for this witness your Honor. Thank you again Sandy, stated Ted.

Judge Carter turned to Mr. Baldwin, "do you any questions for