A Novel by Street Sense Vendor August Mallory
It is mid-afternoon, and the Canadian courts have summoned Ryland Edward Harden back to Toronto. As his flight takes off, a lengthy trial awaits. Back at Marvin Hammerman’s office is the information needed for Harden’s trial, which Hammerman is ready to present in court. But the ball is in the Canadians’ court, and Hammerman must play the waiting game.
Anna Jackson has just spoken with an old neighbor from Baltimore. Odell Lacey had an argument with his son one day, and Walter Lacey walked out and was never seen again.
Walter had a fight with a smaller man outside of the Baltimore Rescue Mission just yesterday. He lies in a coma at Mercy Hospital downtown.
Meanwhile, the smaller man, former prize fighter and track runner Louis Henley, is unemployed and homeless due to problems with alcohol and drugs. He has found his way to the intersection of Greenmount Avenue and 25th Street, not far from a soup kitchen called Manna House. As Henley stands across the street from Manna House, he motions for the “dope man,” a local drug dealer in the Baltimore area called.
Henley and the dope man walk down Greenmount Avenue toward the St. Anne’s Church shelter and duck into an alley between the shelter and a line of row houses on Greenmount. Henley makes a buy.
Back at his office, Marvin Hammerman is in conference with Anna Jackson about Odell Lacey’s case.
“Marvin, I wanted to ask how are we doing on the Harden case?,” Anna says.
“Well, the Canadians have him now, so it may be some time before I get him,” Hammerman replies. “This waiting game is really driving me nuts.”
“Marvin, I was just talking with an old neighbor of mine from Baltimore,” Anna says. “He is very concerned about the whereabouts of his son. So, I was thinking, with this present case where it stands, maybe we can work on this new case at least while we are waiting.”
“I suppose we can, Anna,” Hammerman answers. “Tell me a little about the case.”
“This gentleman’s name is Odell Lacey. He was my neighbor when I was living in Baltimore during middle school and high school. His son went to school with me when we were children. He was never much of an active person – more of a homebody if you get my meaning. After high school I went on to study law and I lost touch with the family. But just recently I received a phone call from Mr. Lacey. He ran into my older brother and got word on my working for this law firm. Marvin, this case is important to me, and I really would like to take it on,” Anna finished.
After pondering the thought, Hammerman says, “OK, we’ll give it a shot. Call your friend back and see if living arrangements can be made for us and call the airlines. Let’s see if we can get a reasonable fare to Baltimore. Maybe a change of scenery will be good for both of us.”
As the day wears on, the staff at Mercy Hospital becomes very concerned about who this new comatose patient is. A photo is released to various shelters and community kitchens that serve the homeless across Baltimore.
Over on 220 Gay St. at the Oasis Shelter, young homeless men talk about the incident between Walter Lacey and Louis Henley. And over on Greenmount Avenue, Henley is high as a kite. He is so stoned he doesn’t even know his own name. He staggers back and forth not knowing one direction from the other. All Henley wants to do is get high even more, and as he makes his way through an alley he sees another victim to take advantage of.
American Airlines flight 770 en route to Baltimore is about to touch down at BWI Airport, and Odell Lacey is waiting for Anna Jackson and Marvin Hammerman. At Mercy Hospital, Walter Lacey’s condition hangs in the balance. Still not knowing who this person is, the staff at the hospital goes to the media for help.
Back at the Baltimore Rescue Mission, homeless men boast and brag about what they saw and what happened between Lacey and Henley, not caring if anyone overhears. At 402 S. Bond St., better known as the Bean and Bread outreach center, homeless men and women discuss the incident between Lacey and Henley. As word of the I incident spreads, it is still kept under the hats of many.
Part 3: Hammerman is now in Baltimore, and the search for Walter Lacey and louis Henley begins. Can Hammerman build a strong case for Odell Lacey’s missing son?
For comments, questions, or just plain curiosity, contact August Mallory at [email protected]
