Both shook their heads no.
“Didn’t think so. Todd Foster was killed in Vietnam a couple of weeks back, the twenty-third casualty from the Coast. He must not have been too bright because he volunteered to begin with, then signed up for two more tours.”
“Awful,” Keith said, but they had grown accustomed to such stories.
“Anyway, he had a nickname. Take a guess.”
“How are we supposed to know? Shorty. Shorty Foster.”
“Try Fuzz. Fuzz Foster. The guy we saw in Golden Gloves the night he and Hugh beat the shit out of each other. Referee called it a draw.”
Keith was startled and saddened. He said, “How could we ever forget? We were all there, raising hell and yelling, ‘Let’s go Hugh! Let’s go Hugh!’？”
“I’ll never forget that fight,” Denny said. “Fuzz was tough as nails and could take a punch. Didn’t they fight again?”
Joey smiled and said, “Remember? Hugh said they had two more fights, split them, then they had a brawl in a club one night when Fuzz got outta line. According to our dear friend Hugh, he won by a knockout.”
“Of course. Has Hugh ever lost a fight no one saw?”
They laughed and sipped their beers. They had been together since the first grade on the Point and had shared many adventures. Keith wanted their friendship to last forever, but he feared they were drifting apart. Denny was still searching for a career and making little progress. Joey seemed content following his father and fishing for the rest of his life. And Hugh was gone. Surprising no one, he had slid into the underworld, from which there was no return. Career gangsters like Lance Malco went to prison, or took a bullet, or they died in prison. That was Hugh’s future too.
Chapter 21
The litigation had found a new reality. The insurance companies could afford to stall the damage claims, but they could not survive angry juries willing to do whatever Jesse Rudy asked. When the value of a $15,000 claim quadrupled with the addition of punitive damages, it was time to wave a white flag. Typically, though, the surrender would be tedious and frustrating.
The break came in the courtroom in Wiggins, just as the lawyers were waiting for Judge Oliphant to take the bench and begin jury selection. Simmons Webb walked to the plaintiff’s table, leaned down and whispered, “Jesse, my client’s had enough.” The words were magic, though Jesse’s expression did not change. He said, “Let’s go to chambers.”
Judge Oliphant took off his robe and waved at the small conference table.
Webb said, “Your Honor, I have finally convinced my client to settle these cases and pay the claims.”
His Honor couldn’t suppress a smile. He was tired of the nonstop trials and needed a break. “Great news,” he said. “What are your terms?”
“Well, in the case before us the policy holder claims damages in the amount of thirteen thousand dollars. We’ll write a check for that amount.”
Jesse was ready to pounce. “No way. You’ve sat on this money for almost a year and you don’t get to use it for free. Any settlement must include interest and living expenses.”
“I’m not sure ARU will do that.”
“Then let’s start the trial. I’m ready, Judge.”
His Honor held up his hands and asked for quiet. He looked at Webb and said, “If you’re settling these cases, then it will be done properly. These people are entitled to damages, expenses, and interest. Every jury so far has agreed.”
Webb said, “Judge, believe me, I’m aware of that, but I’ll need to discuss this with my client. Give me five minutes.”
Jesse said, “And there’s something else. I’ve signed up these cases on a twenty percent contingency, but it’s not fair for me to take fees out of the money that is desperately needed by my clients. Your company’s bad faith required them to file suit. So, your company will pay five hundred dollars in legal fees per case.”