The ballroom at the John Marshall Hotel was packed with the who’s who of the Richmond Metropolitan and surrounding areas. Many of the presidents of the historically Black colleges in the region were present to ensure their colleges were on the list to be recipients of donations. The number of black tuxedoes and evening gowns being worn by the residents of the area with deep pockets was impressive. This particular event was hosted by a combination of Greek sororities and fraternities who had combined their social media powers to bring in a record number of attendees.
“Looks like you are a pretty good draw, Mr. Mayor,” Phire said as they walked into the main ballroom with his Chief of Staff, Grant Hutchinson and his wife, Opal who was also Phire’s sister.
“Rather humbling,” LT replied.
“Face it. They love you,” Grant added. “If we can get half of the people in this room to donate to your re-election campaign, you will have another four years at City Hall.”
“We should mingle to see what the temperature for the upcoming election is like,” Opal suggested. “A number of people are fed up with the political atmosphere.”
“It’s always a good time to discuss elections, however, I would estimate ninety percent of the people in this room are registered and will vote,” Phire summarized.
“No one is going to check the temperature of anything at this point. I haven’t decided if I want another term,” LT replied as one of the city council members walked up to him.
“A moment of your time, Mr. Mayor,” Councilwoman Wanda Rivera called out with School Board member Carlton King trailing behind her.
“We have a concern about the proposed numbers for the GW High School project,” King stated.
“This is not the time nor place, Mr. King. You are more than welcome to make an appointment through the normal channels,” LT replied.
“Your normal channels do not work for me,” Councilwoman Rivera exclaimed. “Frankly, I don’t see why this conversation should wait. You are surrounded with educators, it’s the perfect time to discuss the merits of building better schools. Don’t you think?”
“I do not,” Phire argued, matching the boisterous voice of the Councilwoman, “but since you brought it up, I think it’s the perfect time to discuss the reason why the project has not moved forward in the last three years. GW is in your district, isn’t it? I mean you’ve been on city council since before I was in high school. GW has been drowning in issues for years. Why is it that you haven’t gotten this project on the table in all that time? Hell, from what I understand the Mayor had to push the project down your throat before you would vote for it to move forward.” She watched as the blood drained from the woman’s face. “Do you still want to discuss GW here, in this environment where we should be celebrating the accomplishments of the host of this event?”
Councilwoman Rivera’s mouth had gaped open.
“Here, try this.” Opal shoved an egg roll in the woman’s mouth. “That should keep your foot out of your mouth.”
“I do not agree with the proposal either,” Mr. King stated. “And I am new to the School Board with no prior involvement with city government.”
“Is that supposed to be a plus?” Grant asked.
“No. I said it to make a point. Councilwoman Rivera and I agree this proposal has us concerned.”
“I rather believe it is an interesting compromise, Mr. King,” Riley Fontaine, a senior member of the School Board said from behind them. “I’m looking forward to hearing what the Mayor will share with us in our meeting next week.”
“What meeting?” Councilwoman Rivera asked while wiping her mouth. “I am not aware of any meeting to discuss the proposal.”
“You are not a member of the School Board. There is no reason you should be aware of it.” She winked at LT. “After all, you are being challenged aggressively for your seat this election. I would think your energy would be saved for that purpose.”
“Hello, Riley.” Phire hugged her. “It’s good to see you. You look beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you,” she replied, then glanced at Mr. King. “If you would excuse us, I would like to introduce the Mayor to my parents.”
“I would love to meet them.” LT nodded. “Lead the way.”
“You will see me first thing Monday morning, Mr. Mayor,” Councilwoman Rivera ordered.
“Have a good evening, Councilwoman Rivera.” Grant nodded then guided their group away.
“Nice escape, Riley. Thank you,” LT said as he returned nods to people speaking as he walked by.
“You can thank me by putting the School Board meeting on your calendar,” Riley replied. “King is Rivera’s inside man on the Board. Know up front he is going to vote in her favor for anything you bring to the table.”
“Noted,” LT replied as they continued to walk through the crowd. “Grant, will you clear my schedule for the meeting?”
“Consider it done,” Grant said as he pulled out his cellphone. “Riley, will you have the details sent directly to me.”
“Consider it done.” Riley smiled over her shoulder at him as she stopped in front of three elegantly dressed couples. “Mayor Palmer, you know my sister Rachel and Wade Tyson.”
“Yes, of course.” LT shook Wade’s hand and hugged Rachel. “How are things at the network?”
“Rachel is keeping all of us on our toes,” Wade replied as Phire and Rachel hugged.
“I believe you also know Detective Nate Reigns, and my sister Regan,” Riley continued.
“Detective Reigns, Regan.” LT smiled. “It’s good to see both of you in this setting.”
“Mr. Mayor.” Nate nodded. “Always an adventure.”
“And this beautiful couple are our parents, The Honorable Judge Clayton Fontaine and my mother Abigail.”
“Judge and Mrs. Fontaine. Your daughters have been invaluable to my administration.” LT shook both of their hands.
“We have heard wonderful things from them about you,” Judge Fontaine commented.
“Not to mention the changes you are making to the city,” Abigail added. “I enjoy coming back downtown again. There are so many things to enjoy.”
“Spread the word,” Grant suggested. “We want everyone to know the city is the place to be.”
“There is still work to be done with the safety issues,” Judge Fontaine stated.
LT nodded. “Chief of Police Williams and I have a few things in the works to improve security around the city.”
“Starting with cleaning up the Police Department, I hope,” Rachel added. “I don’t like dirty cops.”
“You are still upset because they keep locking you up for breaking the law,” Nate chuckled.
“One would think, she would curb her behavior with two judges in the family,” Regan laughed.
“I go where the story takes me,” Rachel said. “If that gets me locked up, so be it. Speaking of a story…” She pointed. “I see the other side of your family is in the building.”
LT and Phire turned.
“Oh, isn’t that special.” Phire smiled. “The elite do come out at night.”
“So do vampires,” LT added as Lauren and Lawrence approached them.
“Be nice,” Phire whispered.
“Good evening, LT, and Atmosphere.” Lauren nodded. “You look lovely this evening.”
“Who is Atmosphere?” Rachel asked.
“She meant Sapphire,” Lawrence corrected.
Lauren put her hands on her chest in mock embarrassment. “I am so sorry. Please forgive me. I always get some people’s names mixed up.”
“Some people?” Opal raised an eyebrow.
“I can see why that would happen in a family where everyone’s name sounds the same,” Phire laughed. “I mean look at you two, Lauren and Lawrence. At times it’s hard to tell you two apart.”
“If you will excuse us, we have a few people to say hello to,” Abigail announced. “Come along, Clayton.”
“It was good seeing you, Mr. Mayor.” Nate and Regan followed them.
“Let’s go, Rachel.” Wade put his hand around her waist.
“Oh no, this is about to get messy and I want to see what happens next.” Rachel resisted his pull.
“No story here,” Grant interjected. “Just family catching up with each other. Right, babe?” He glanced at his wife who had now folded her arms across her chest.
“We’ll catch up later, Rachel,” LT said as he faced Lawrence. “Lawrence and Lauren, I’m surprised to see you two here. You do know this is a fundraiser for Historically Black Colleges. That means, people who look like me.”
“We give to scholarship funds all the time,” Lauren waved off his statement. “Just another way to show our commitment to less fortunate communities.”
“Less fortunate… how?” Opal asked.
Lawrence’s brows frowned. “You can’t be offended by that. For goodness sake we are all here because they are asking for donations to help Black people with college expenses. Any genius can determine there is a need, therefore the people in need are less fortunate. You people can be so sensitive at the simplest things.”
“You people…” Opal’s voice began to rise.
Phire stepped in front of her sister. “Before this really does turn messy, why doesn’t everyone take a breath and start anew.” Phire inhaled then exhaled. “See, a nice calming breath. It clears the air on all things. Now, Lauren, you look lovely tonight and you are right, Lawrence. There are students who do need our help in acquiring an education. This is my sister, Opal, a nice easy name to remember, and her husband, Grant Hutchinson. They are both a part of the committee who puts this fundraiser together each year. The purpose in us being here is to accept donations in person. What amount did you have in mind to donate to the less fortunate? I’m sure it’s a nice round number like, oh I don’t know, $10,000 sounds good. Of course, LT donated $100,000. But since you are less fortunate than he, we don’t expect that amount from you. Any amount you can give will be appreciated. Shall we put you down for $10K?”
“A hundred grand?” Lawrence sputtered.
“Make it $20,000,” Lauren laughed. “I’m sure that will buy a few books to help the…less fortunate.”
“Wonderful.” Phire clapped her hands. “Ladies and gentlemen, LT’s siblings have graciously just donated a considerable amount to the cause.” She put her hand around Lauren and Lawrence’s waists and beamed brightly. “They are challenging everyone in the room to match their donation of twenty thousand dollars to the scholarship fund. Let’s give them a round of applause for kicking things into gear.”
The crowd around them clapped as photographers raised their cameras to take pictures of the group.
LT and Grant did all they could to contain their laughter at the way Phire had put the Trent’s on the spot.
“She is a natural fundraiser,” Grant whispered.
LT laughed. “She is a bullshit detector who has no problem calling people out.”
“That’s my sister,” Opal said as she held out her hand to Lauren. “I’ll take that check now.”
After writing the check Lauren and Lawrence were walking towards the door.
“That little event just cost us twenty grand,” Lawrence hissed angrily at his sister.
“Oh, I spend more than that on shoes,” Lauren replied. “Besides, I can put a stop on that check as soon as we get home.”
“Did you not see the reporters? This story will be in the papers, maybe even on the front page, since that woman pulled Palmer into the picture. You can’t stop that check.”
Lauren shrugged. “Then consider it an investment into our future earnings.”
“I don’t see how you giving away money to an HBCU is an investment in our favor.”
“Oh, I think we got a few answers that will garner us a good return on our money.”
“What are you talking about, Lauren?”
“Look who just joined Palmer and his little fiancée.” She nodded her head towards the couple who were surrounded by people.
“I don’t know any of those people,” Lawrence huffed.
“Take a closer look, Larry,” Lauren insisted. “That woman standing next to Palmer is our father’s oldest bastard child, Gia Farrell. She is the one who Mother indicated as the traitor who gave away family secrets.”
“Oh yeah, that is her.” Lawrence stared. “I guess you now have the answer to your question on how Palmer knows about all of Father’s affairs.”
“Yes, now we need to determine how much our dear illegitimate sister knows about our father’s other offspring. With that information we may be able to bring these lawsuits to an end.”
“Okay, how do we get to her?” Lawrence asked as they continued to watch the couple.
“The same way I intend to get to the fiancée,” Lauren answered. “Divide and conquer. I’ll start by inviting both of them to lunch, separately.”
“What on earth would you have to discuss with them?”
She smiled at her brother. “Why, family of course.” She looked back at the couple and Gia. “It’s all about the family.”