Bradford, The Murder Of Mr. H.
Excerpts from the book by Brad Warren, Continued & Edited
Three days later, off the coast of Orange Beach in a 65-foot sailboat, two couples are enjoying a sunset cruise. Judge Henry Pitts and his wife Ellen along with Attorney Michael Mason and his wife Judy have been sailing friends for years. Judge Pitts is currently serving on the Supreme Court of Alabama where he is the presiding Chief Justice. He and his wife are in their mid-sixties. The Judge is a balding, slightly overweight, but well-spoken man that is highly regarded in the Court System. Attorney Michael Mason is one of the leading litigation attorneys in Birmingham. He is a tall thin man in his mid-fifties. "Judy, why don't you and Ellen take over the helm of this sailing vessel while Hank and I go below to discuss business that needs tending to." Michael asks. "Okay, Are you ready Ellen," Judy asks. "Sure" Ellen says as the men go down below.
Down below the Judge says, "Mike, this has been a great year. I hope y'all have been satisfied." "Certainly Hank, but we do need that matter that I discussed with you taken care of." Michael said. Hank pipes in, "You can count on me." "Good" Michael responds. "I have something for you as a token of our appreciation." Michael hands the Judge a briefcase. The Judges opens it. Inside was $200,000 cash in $100 bills. The Judge smiles, puts up the briefcase, and the men return to the deck.
Chapter 2
Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. James 5:5-6.
John Lennon wrote "All You Need Is Love." That's what I thought.
This was the year Auburn beat Alabama by blocking two punts for touchdowns in the last few minutes of the game to win 17-16. They still haven't forgotten that one. I was enrolled at the University of Alabama. I say enrolled because attended would be a lie. That year also saw Nixon elected for a second term and George Wallace was shot and crippled. Vietnam was beginning to wind down and for a twenty-year-old boy, that was good news. Of course I was no stranger to the Vietnam War. All boys were faced with the Vietnam predicament during those years. My father had sent me to Marion Military Institute for high school where I learned how to take apart and put back together a 50-caliber machine gun and to treat a sucking chest wound. I also learned a lot about mischief and drugs. A lot of parents thought that sending your kids to a place like that would straighten them out. However, you're just feeding the fire by putting 700 juvenile delinquents together in one place. Anyhow, after I finished high school I grew my hair almost four years without cutting it.
Otha Belcher had been a long time friend of mine. We went to high school together. I used to take him AWOL on weekends to double date a couple of girls from Centreville. We played basketball together. Our claim to fame was the time when we were playing Greensboro and everybody on the team fouled out in the first half except for Otha and me. The two of us played the entire second half against five and almost won.
Otha was kind of a Ladies' man; Irish blond with blue eyes. During college we traveled a lot together because he and I were the only members of our group of friends that had access to money. His Dad owned and operated a sawmill and lumber company. My Dad was an accountant and entrepreneur in healthcare, owning and operating nursing homes.
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