Chapter Forty-Three

Surprises While We Wait

Dani

The college semester ended in May. I had completed two semesters of Criminology I. As Dr. Belinsky promised, I got an “A.” I had enrolled for the summer semester, taking the first half of Criminology II with Professor Belinsky so I could continue with updates on Clay Jackson’s trial. Dad told me to keep my work schedule at Sand and Surf to just a few evening hours a week because of everything going on.

Joel was still involved in helping Sean and the prosecuting attorney accumulate and verify all the evidence and reports on the case against Jackson. We saw each other every weekend and enjoyed each other’s company more and more on the back patio. It was difficult seeing him so little, but it made those weekends fantastic. I guess the old saying, absence makes the heart grow fonder, is true. I loved him a lot on that patio.

At the beginning of May, a letter arrived for Mr. Cunningham from a Casey Jordan of Ocala. Mr. Cunningham immediately opened the letter.

Dear Mr. William Cunningham,

My name is Casey Jordan. I’m the sixteen-year-old son of Craig and Linda Jordan. My father told me you’re my uncle. I’m writing this letter because I’d like to meet you. Dad told me I shouldn’t contact you, but I told him I wanted to anyhow. So in case you wanted to know, he didn’t put me up to this.

I want to tell you about myself, so maybe you’ll want to meet me too. I’m a junior in high school. I don’t smoke, drink, or do drugs. I’m on the varsity baseball team and get pretty good grades. I have a girlfriend, Kayla, who’s smart, pretty, and wants to be a doctor. I’d like to get a scholarship to play college baseball and maybe try to play professional baseball someday. I mostly play first base. My favorite baseball team is the Baltimore Orioles. All my friends like the Tampa Bay Rays. Since we live in Florida, they think I should like that team too. I’d like to play for the Orioles someday.

I don’t have any brothers or sisters. I have three cousins who are Aunt Marcie’s kids. Jason is 12, Justin is 10, and little Nikki (Nicole) is 4. Even though they’re my cousins, they’re like brothers and sister to me. We get along with each other pretty well, and we hang out sometimes. They like to play baseball too.

Jason, Justin, and I would really like to meet you. Nikki is too little to understand. My dad told me all about my grandfather and what he did to your family. If you don’t want to meet us, that’s okay too. I just hope you don’t hold what my grandfather did against us. My address is 1529 Cassidy Lane, Ocala, Florida 34471. In case you want to call me, my cellphone number is 352-555-9336.

Your great nephew,

Casey Jerome Jordan

Mr. Cunningham’s face was noncommittal as he read the letter. When he finished, he handed it to me. It was computer generated, but hand signed. I don’t know if Mr. Cunningham was surprised with its contents, but I was. It seemed like it came from the heart of this kid, Casey. After reading the letter, I asked, “Do you plan to get in touch with this kid?”

“I have to think about it.”

Joel, Grace, and her mom came to dinner that night. Mr. Cunningham showed everyone the letter. He asked Joel, “Is there any legal reason I shouldn’t contact this young man?”

“As far as I know, there isn’t, but you might want to check with Doug Plimpton, just in case.”

The next day Mr. Cunningham called Doug Plimpton and asked what his opinion was regarding the letter. Mr. Plimpton told him he saw no legal reason he couldn’t contact the boy. However, he did advise not to discuss anything about the case with either Casey Jordan or any other family member of Clay Jackson.

That afternoon Mr. Cunningham answered Casey Jordan’s letter. He read the letter to us before mailing it.

Dear Casey,

I received your letter and would also like to meet you and your cousins. I’m pleased that you are doing well in school. Keep up the good work. It’s important if you want to get into the college of your choice.

You’ll be surprised to know that my son, Travis, was a good baseball player too. What is more surprising is that his favorite team was also the Baltimore Orioles.

I saw you outside the courthouse a few weeks ago with your family. You and your cousins are fine looking, young men. Your little cousin, Nikki, is beautiful. She reminds me so much of my daughter, Lily, who also had very blonde, curly hair.

Please let me know the next time you plan to be in the Orlando area. We’ll arrange to meet. If you’d like to call me, my cellular telephone number is 407-555-5168.

Thank you for the very nice letter.

Yours truly,

William Cunningham

I thought the letter was just right, not too personal, but just enough to give this Casey kid a little glimpse of Mr. Cunningham and his family.

A week after Mr. Cunningham had mailed the letter to Casey Jordan, he received a phone call from Casey. We heard his side of the conversation.

“Yes. This is William Cunningham.” He looked at us as we sat around the kitchen table. “Ah, yes, I remember you, Casey. It’s good to hear from you.” Mr. Cunningham sat down at the table. “No, you didn’t interrupt anything. How are you?” He smiled at Casey’s response. “I’m glad to hear that.” Then there was a long pause. “This coming Saturday?” Mr. Cunningham looked surprised. “Yes, I’d like that very much. Then a short pause. “I’d like to meet them too. Let me check with my family, and I’ll call you back shortly. Thank you for calling, Casey. Goodbye.”

Mr. Cunningham hung up. “Casey and his two cousins will be in Orlando on Saturday and want to meet me. I do want to see them, but I didn’t know the best place. I’d also feel more comfortable if some of you were with me. The boy said they’ll be here early in the morning. His father has some business in Orlando. What do you think?”

Dad suggested, “Let’s meet them for breakfast. I can join you, but afterwards, I have to get to the shop and help Carl. Frankie and Dani should go too. Frankie, you’re about these boys’ ages, and you might have things in common with them to help them feel more at ease.”

Mr. Cunningham wanted to meet in a public place. Dad suggested a breakfast gathering at Sammy’s, the restaurant across from the Citrus Tower in Clermont. Mr. Cunningham called Casey back to make arrangements with his father.

“Hello, Casey, this is Bill Cunningam. Is your dad available? I’d like to talk to him regarding our plans.”

“Yes, Craig, this is Bill Cunningham. I wanted to verify it’s okay if your son meets up with me.” Mr. Cunningham’s voice sounded more serious when talking to Craig Jordan. ‘Yes, I thought when he called you were probably aware, but I’m just making sure. I also wanted to know how long you planned to be in the area.” He was nodding his head as he listened. “Oh, I see. Then how about if we meet the boys for breakfast?” Apparently, Craig Jordan agreed. “Okay, I’ll let Andrew explain where the restaurant is located.”

Dad took the phone and gave Craig Jordan directions. After hanging up he said, “Craig’s dropping the boys off at the restaurant at eight o’clock. He has to be in Orlando by nine.”

Mr. Cunningham added, “He’ll be done with his business at noon. Does anyone have any idea what we can do with the boys after breakfast?”

Frankie had a plan. “Dylan is playing a Little League baseball game at Brady Field. It starts about ten. Since those boys like baseball, maybe they’d like to see a game.”

“That’s a good idea, son,” agreed Mr. Cunningham. “His dad will call us when his meeting is over to find out where to pick them up.”

So, our plans were made for the following Saturday. I don’t know who was more excited about meeting the boys, Frankie or Mr. Cunningham. They talked about the coming breakfast for the rest of the week.