2 Brooklyn James

2 Brooklyn James Read Free

Book: 2 Brooklyn James Read Free
Author: Brooklyn James
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deviates her memory to something more stimulating, more ominous. Snapshots of Lon and Braydon lying on the floor of the bedroom in their suburban New Orleans estate flood her memory, blood encompassing their lifeless bodies. The sound of a twelve-gauge firing followed by Bou Bou’s whining rings in her ears. The images cause her jaw to clench, her grip on the steering wheel ever-tightening. She remembers her struggle. Her violated, battered body held fast to the bed beneath her, the vile sweat and stench of the man above. The spider web tattoo revealed on his neck. His menacing chuckle causing her to grow manic, accompanied by his sentiments, “What’s the matter, lawyer lady, cat got your tongue?”
    Gina shakes her head, the memories causing too much emotion, stifling her clarity. She looks over at Aubrey who is lost in her music, and in the rearview mirror at Emily who remains deep in her meditation. After a few hard blinks her mind returns to her past, continuing to connect the dots.

    She stands astute in front of a witness railing in a courtroom, one assigned to her case by the State of Louisiana. As Brianna Castille, attorney-at-law, a life only a few years departed, however seemingly a lifetime ago, she questions the witness. Manny Briggs sinks back into the witness chair, his lips twisted in a permanent smirk, his body language relaxed and confident, tending toward audacious. He is an average-sized man, nothing remarkable to note, with the exception of his greasy, black, curly hair pulled snugly into a low ponytail and a formidable spider web tattoo proudly displayed on his neck.
    “Mr. Briggs, please state your occupation for the court,” Brianna directs.
    “I’m an independent contractor,” he says.
    “An independent contractor of what?”
    “You could say I’m a Jack of all trades,” he replies with a smile.
    Brianna smiles back, taking a step toward him. “Construction, waste management, plumbing…show tunes.” She shrugs her shoulders, turning her palms up to the ceiling. “An independent contractor of what?” she reiterates.
    He shifts his weight in the chair beneath him, propping himself up on his elbow. “You could say I do a little construction. Yeah, I’m pretty good with my hands. And I take the trash out, so I guess you could say I do a little waste management, too. Never had an interest in plumbing though.” He grins, prepping for his big finish. “Maybe I should look into show tunes. I do a pretty good Sinatra impersonation.” He eyes the jury, assessing their response, if any. “I could give you a little taste, if you’d like.” He winks, causing Brianna to grow nauseous at the flirtatious gesture.
    “That won’t be necessary, Mr. Briggs. For all his flair and swagger, Sinatra was a bully.” She eyes him accusingly. “Never could stand a bully.” She circles the area between him and the jury. “Who do you work for, Mr. Briggs, as an independent contractor?”
    “The highest bidder,” he says, his smirk slowly retracting. “Hence, independent contractor.”
    “What was the name of the employer on your last paycheck, Mr. Briggs?” Brianna continues to dig.
    He raises his eyebrows thoughtfully. “I don’t recall.”
    Brianna pulls a file from her briefcase at the prosecution table. “Funny you should mention that.” She holds the file up for the courtroom to see. “You know who else doesn’t recall? The State of Louisiana nor the federal government. They have no record of you employed as an independent contractor, or any occupation for that matter. Why is that, Mr. Briggs?” She places the file on top of the judge’s bench as evidence.
    “Objection,” the defense calls. “My client is not on trial for his work history.”
    “You don’t find it odd that your client has no record of employment?” Brianna argues. “No record of payment of taxes. No W-4, no I-9, no IRS withholding whatsoever. That doesn’t make you question your client’s line of work?”

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