UNJUSTICE
 A Sydney Sullivan Story
“Although inspired in part by a true incident, the following story is fictional and does not depict any actual person or event.” Photos throughout the fiction are to assist with your own imagination.

Carl arrived home and opened the book. It was getting late and he had an early day ahead of him. He began reading the first few chapters of The Big Short and found it fascinating. Remembering Louis had told him that this was a true insider’s view made it hard to put down. Carl carried it with him the next day and read a few pages every chance he got. During lunch he closed himself in his chambers and powered through the chapters. He knew very little about inside Wall Street – just that it was a lot of fast talk and smooth salesmen. The Big Short identified the decline in the lending standards as early as 2004. What Carl couldn’t understand was why a person who lent money would want to extend such loans. He found one of the characters, Dr. Michael Burry, had tremendous insight.

    Carl began to research Michael Lewis and Michael Burry, watching interviews and reading articles.

It was now the beginning of February 2014 and Carl had not discussed his “Louis meeting” with either Ole or John G. He wanted Louis to gather his information and make a full presentation before he opened any more discussion. Something was nagging at Carl like the feeling he was about to open Pandora’s Box. The book had heightened Carl’s sensitivity to foreclosures and Wall Street.

     The night before Carl was supposed to have his presentation meeting with Louis, he was sitting in his living room watching the CBS nightly news and the affiliate reporter from Denver and announced “yet another bank related suicide in Denver, stay tuned, more right after these words from our sponsors.”

     Carl sat up and turned up the volume and after the commercial segment the grisly story continued. The reporter’s voice was solemn but matter of fact,

“A coroner’s spokeswoman Thursday said Talley was found in his garage by a family member who called authorities. They said Talley died from seven or eight self-inflicted wounds from a nail gun fired into his torso and head. Also unclear is whether Talley’s suicide was related to the investigation by the Colorado Division of Insurance, which regulates title companies. This is the 28^th banker-related death… ”

     ‘Seven or eight self-inflicted nail gun wounds! Geesh,’ Carl thought to himself, ‘there is no way any man could fire off a round of nails from a nail gun into his own body and into his own head.’ Carl had smashed his finger once during a summer theater building project and he still remembered the pain. Even the Judge had to doubt the possibility of suicide, if only to himself.

     It was too late to call Louis but Carl intended to place a call early the next morning to confirm their meeting. Carl’s wife, Lily dressed for bed, opened the door to his office and smiled. “You look like you’re into an intense case – I just wanted you to know the house is all locked up, alarm is on and there are fresh cookies in the kitchen.”

Carl smiled back and said, “nah, just complicated research and a news story that was a little over the edge… cookies, yeah? I’m done for tonight… cookies sound really good…”

     The next morning Carl called Louis’ cell phone. “Hey Louis, we on for tonight? Same time, same place?”

     “Sure Judge. How’s the book?”

     “Fascinating,” Carl briefly replied, “see you later.”

     The day flew by and Carl had skipped lunch and forgot to call back John G. He wanted to leave early and pick up dinner from one of his favor restaurants before his meeting with Louis. Manny’s Steakhouse was right downtown west Minneapolis. Lily had called in the dinner order and it was ready for the Judge to pick-up at 4:00 pm. Carl wanted Louis to be comfortable and sharing meals always helped relax the atmosphere.

     She had packed a picnic basket with plates, small blue checkered table cloth and cloth napkins, wine glasses, wine cork, two sets of stainless steel utensils and steak knives…and of course, about a dozen peanut butter cookies. Carl picked up a nice bottle of French Cabernet Sauvignon and popped it into picnic basket.  

     Loaded with the picnic basket under his arm and the bag of food from Manny’s in one hand and newspapers and The Big Short book in the other, Carl strolled up to the security desk, hoping not to appear out of breath. “Is Phil still in his office?” Carl inquired.

     “Yes, Judge, he said to expect you and your guest tonight,” answered the same security guard.

     “Great, could I take this food and drop it off in the board room before I go see if I can find Phil?” Carl was hoping he’d have a few minutes with his brother-in-law before his meeting.

   Relieved that the security guard had offered to carry the picnic basket and food to the board room, Carl carried his book and newspapers and went up to Phil’s office.

     Phil’s door was open when Carl walked in. Carl thanked Phil again for the use of the room and after a few pleasantries, Carl asked Phil, “Have you read this, yet?” holding up The Big Short.

     “What’s The Big Short about?” Phil squinted his eyes and looked up at Carl.

     “I don’t know for sure but that’s what I hope to find out about tonight,” Carl laughed.

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UNJUSTICE is a new series on DeadlyClear that will upload as chapters are completed. Please subscribe so you don’t miss as the story progresses. Inspiration and research in part with Vermont Trotter and our foreclosure defense network.
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