Page 51 of Camino Ghosts

A week later he filed suit in federal court in Tallahassee. His lawyer was a buddy from Charleston who had stood by his side through many of his exploits and been to court with him several times. The lawyer did not know of the stunt, but was suspicious of the mounting medical bills. His client seemed perfectly normal, or as normal as usual, the alleged migraines and seizures notwithstanding. Gifford did admit that the primary purpose of the lawsuit was to smoke out the true owners of Old Dunes. Attached to the lawsuit were standard interrogatories and requests for documents that would provide some interesting information.

6.

Two days after the lawsuit was filed, Bruce met Steven and Diane for a late afternoon drink at the Pirate’s Saloon. He handed them both a copy of the lawsuit, which was a mere three pages long, and watched their amused faces as they read.

Steven was smiling when he finished. “And what was Gifford Knox doing looking at a new home in Old Dunes?”

“He was looking at a new home in Old Dunes. Same as other folks.”

“Did he buy one?”

“Still pondering, but doubtful. Really not his scene.”

Diane said, “I thought he lived on a sailboat.”

“He does. But there will be a nice marina out there and a place for him to dock. He’s very curious about these new developments.”

“I smell a rat,” Steven said, still smiling.

“You should.”

“And how is he recuperating?”

“He’s coming along. Maddy says there should be no additional brain damage.”

Steven tossed his copy on an empty chair and laughed. “You did this, didn’t you?”

“Did what?” Bruce protested with a grin. “It takes very little to get Gifford involved in a good fight. You said yourself that the only way to ‘pierce the corporate veil’ as they say, was to sue the company and get their documents. Well, here’s the lawsuit, and Gifford’s lawyer is hot on the trail.”

“Beautiful.”

“I thought you’d like it. If Tidal Breeze does indeed own Old Dunes, then what?”

“Then we have a chat with Judge Salazar and explain that she has a rather serious conflict of interest. Her son is in business with one of the litigants. We’ll press her to recuse herself. If she refuses, then we’ll consider going to the state bar association. That would be very embarrassing for her.”

“Do you think she knows who owns Old Dunes?” Diane asked.

Steven shook his head. “Highly unlikely, at least at this point. How many corporate names have you traced back to Tidal Breeze?”

“Dozens.”

“Right. These guys are slick, sly, and very secretive. They have plenty of lawyers and tax advisors and operate in many places here and offshore. No, she doesn’t have a clue. But, there might come a time when Tidal Breeze feels the need to apply some pressure.”

Bruce said, “It’s still so speculative.”

“It is. But we’re getting there, thanks to Gifford Knox and his clumsiness.”

“What? Didn’t you read the lawsuit? He’s not clumsy. The stairs were shoddy, defective, and part of an unsafe work environment.”

“Beautiful,” Steven said again.

7.

“Why are we attracting lawsuits up there?” Wilson Larney asked as he stared out the window and gazed at the ocean. “This was supposed to be easier. Roll in, throw some cash around, buy off everyone, and start building. I can’t believe it’s almost April and we’re still bogged down in court.”

One lawyer, Pete Riddle, said, “It’s a simple slip-and-fall in one of our new homes. The guy had some injuries but nothing serious. I’ve told the insurance company to settle it, and quick. The plaintiff’s lawyers are poking around offshore.”

“And the injured guy’s some kind of big writer or something?”

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