HAUNTED MIRROR
By Lonzo Lucas II
 
 
CHAPTER 1
         
CLOSE THE DEAL
 
      When you look into a mirror, what do you see? If one holds up an article or a page from a book in front of a mirror, the letters appear reversed, but when viewed directly, those same articles appear normal. The next time look at your reflection in the mirror, ask yourself this question is that really a true symmetrical shape or a parallel image of you, in another place, or still another universe? The series of events that unfold in this story raise the question what is real and what lurks just beyond the scope of your reality.
 
 
ST. AUGUSTINE, USA Attorney Clyde Hanks, sits at his desk looking over today's schedule. The stress of taking on high profile cases over the years has taken its toll on Clyde, by leaving an indelible mark upon his brow, but despite a few wrinkles and touches of gray Clyde presses on. Sometimes sacrifice is required in order to reach the top and Clyde was no exception, at the age if 30 he made partner with the impressive Raleigh & Sons Ltd., law firm. A rationale man, Clyde possesses what one could call a strong sense of intuition, in the past this has served him well, allowing him to spot inconsistencies in the prosecution's arguments. Winning the majority of his cases has made him a popular figure in the legal field; this success has opened the door to more high-powered clientele, more publicity, and visibility. One could say that he was leading a charmed life. Yet, the series of events about to unfold will take Clyde to the brink of insanity and in the end pose the question what is real and what is reality? What lurks just beneath the surface of our darkest fears? What may seem real at one moment could turn out to be just a figment of our imagination.
 
      Clyde immerses himself into his work, but no matter how hard he tries, his mind wanders. The final two weeks prove to be the most difficult for Clyde to handle. He constantly finds himself thinking about the house even obsessing over it. "Why do I think about that house so much, after all it's just a house isn't it?" Clyde begins work in preparation for his next case, he opens a drawer and thumbs though a list containing names of clientele from past, present, and future cases.
 
      He thumbs through the stack stopping at one name George Mason. He opens the folder and begins to skim through the specifics of the case.   The defendant worked as a bartender at a popular nightclub, he was also a compulsive gambler; one of his favorite haunts after work is the Gold Strip Casino. He loves the night life, the Casino is located in a seedy part of town, because of this it attracts a more nefarious breed like pimps, prostitutes, thugs, and drug dealers.   Security guards patrol the gambling area looking for any sign of trouble.
 
      One night at the casino, the defendant sat at a gaming table trying his hand at a game of blackjack, when he hears commotion coming from the back of the room. Two security guards were in the process of removing some unruly patrons, a powerful syndicate of drug dealers that had laid claim to that area of the city. A territory dispute breaks out, leading into a full melee that quickly spirals out of control.
 
      The security guards struggle amidst the chaos, as more members join the fray. The intensity builds to a boiling point; then gunshots ring out. In his attempt to get out of the building, the defendant runs into an old friend who calls himself Slavo, a heavy for Jimmie the Bookie. "Well, well, well if it isn't me old pal George, you know Jimmy's been looking for you, he don't like it when stiffs like you don't pay on time. Hey Louie come over here."
 
      A behemoth approaches, wearing a sly grin, "George? So you come to pay us what you owe?" Slavo says. "Hey, I was just coming by to see you, to give you what I," "shut up!" Slavo says, "We don't want to hear that crap! Jimmy sent us here to give you a little message." Louie and Henry aggressively attacked George, who in a moment of panic, produced a .38 revolver, and squeezed off three rounds. The first bullet enters Louie's skull; the second enters Henry's chest. George flees the scene leaving the two men wounded and bleeding on the sidewalk. The two are taken to the hospital. Slavo dies in surgery and Louie sustains irreversible brain damage. At the trial, prosecution brings up the issue on the use of deadly force.
 
      The defendant claims self-defense, but the state proceeds to prosecute him for first-degree murder. Clyde foresees major hurdles that must be overcome to have a chance in this case. The prosecution now has a strong case, things are not looking good for the defendant.
 
      The trial goes back and forth with both sides slugging it out, like two heavyweight fighters, duking it out in a big money fight. Clyde eventually wins the case on a technicality; the investigation finds evidence of crime scene contamination. During the confusion of it all, the crucial evidence, a shell-casing had been picked up, kicked around and stepped on by curious onlookers. A rookie cop neglected to seal off the crime scene, another blow to justice.
 
      It took approximately three months to complete the trial. The verdict? Not guilty. Clyde sits back and savors his bittersweet victory, but then remembers that escrow has closed on his new home. He decides now is the perfect opportunity to take a little time off, a week perhaps, no much longer than that, how about a month? Just long enough to get his new home in order.
      
      Clyde pulls out his cell phone and calls Scott. "Hey I know it's a little late but I got your message Scott. Escrow closed last week, huh?" "You bet," Scott says. "Congratulations the house is officially yours, if there is anything that I can assist you with please don't hesitate to ask."