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The heat was unbearable and moving box after box
into the new house only added to the sweat that was already rolling
down Ms. Rollins’ back.
“Megan, get some water from the sink so you won’t pass
out.”
“Mom, this water has a funny looking color!”
“I know it’s brown Megan, all of the Delta’s water
is that color.”
“But mom, it’s not…”
“Megan, hurry and drink the water so we can finish unloading
the U-Haul!”
Silenced reigned. This was the first time in years her, 10-year
old daughter didn’t continuously dispute her. While
steadily unpacking boxes, Ms. Rollins curiously increased the volume
to the nearby radio:
‘Contamination Alert! The Vice-President of Collins Chemical
Co. has confessed to toxic dumping in local streams and rivers affecting
all of Hudson County. Do not, I repeat do not utilize any
water before distilling!!! This has been a news update from
station XL97.6.’
Recalling the previous conversation with Megan, Me. Rollins soared
through the house,
“Megan!” As she entered the kitchen, there was
Megan lying on the floor in broken glass and water. Ms. Rollins
carefully lifted Megan’s body to put it into the car.
“Hold on Megan, hold on baby.” As she pulled the
emergency entrance, ER doctors met her at the doors to take Megan
into the facilities leaving her mother to worry and wonder in the
waiting room.
After 2 hours of pacing and prayer, Dr. Stevenson emerged from the
double doors.
“Ms. Rollins,”
“Yes, doctor, how is she?”
“Ms. Rollins sit down. Whatever contaminated the local
water supply dissolved 35% of Megan’s esophagus. She
will have to be flown in Nashville, TN where a team of surgeons
will line her esophagus with a synthetic material to compensate
for the loss.”
“But how will I pay for…”
“Ms. Rollins don’t fret, under these circumstances,
The American Burn Association has agreed to cover all medical expenses,
but what I suggest you do is to fight that chemical company for
all they have, after all they were the cause of this and many other
tragedies”
“Thank you doctor.”
“No problem. Megan will be flown 5:00am tomorrow morning,
and if all vital signs are normal, you all will be flown back the
next morning.”
2 Weeks Later, Friday 10:00 am
“All rise for the honorable Judge Mallory.”
“Does the prosecution have an opening statement?”
“Yes you honor. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury I intend
to prove that Mr. Deric Collins, President and CEO of the 3rd largest
chemical industry gave permission and supervised the toxic dumping
in the local streams and rivers of Hudson County, and therefore,
is solely responsible for all medical costs, pain and suffering
compensation of Megan Rollins.”
“Does the defense have an opening statement?”
“Yes your honor. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I
intend to prove that the CEO of Collins Chemical Co. was undoubtedly
unaware of the dumping of waste into the rivers and streams of Hudson
County.”
“Prosecution, call your first witness.”
“Your honor I call Ms. Carolyn Rollins to the stand.”
Ms. Rollins took the stand and under oath told the jury of her daughter’s
incident and following suffering. She also described the diagnosis
from Dr. Stevenson and the mandatory surgery that had been done
in Nashville.
“Your honor I would like to cross examine the witness.
Ms. Rollins, what exactly was the chemical found in Megan’s
system?”
“I’m not sure, the doctor told me, but…”
“Is that doctor in the courtroom today?”
“No, but my attorney already presented files stating the name
of the chemical.”
“Ms. Rollins, do you keep chemicals in you house
such as household cleaning products?”
“Well of course I do.”
“Who’s to say that young Megan did not mistakenly confuse
water with…”
“But she didn’t, she drank water.”
“Did you see her drink the water in the…”
“No! I did not have to. If she said she drank water…”
“Your honor that will be all.”
“Does the defense attorney have any witnesses?”
“Yes your honor, we would like to call Mr. Collins to the
stand…Mr. Collins what was your reaction when the Vice-President
of your company admitted to toxic dumping.”
“To be honest, I was appalled. This had been going on
under my nose for years, and I just did not know. The chair
of my waste removement department had to get permission to illegally
dump our chemicals from someone, but it was not me.”
“So you were completely unaware of the dumping?”
“Absolutely, I even donate many dollars to environmental organizations
such as Save the Rainforest and Clearer Water for a Healthier Future.”
“Thank you Mr. Collins that will be all.”
“This court will recess until 10:00am Monday morning.
Court adjourned.”
“Attorney Watson, how are our chances?”
“Ms. Rollins we have two key witnesses lined up for Monday.
The Vice-President of Collins Chemical and a secretary from Clearer
Water for a Healthier Future.”
“A secretary?”
“Mr. Collins was right, he did give money to Clearer Water,
but she has recorded tapes of a payoff to keep Clearer Water quiet,
not donations out of the goodness of his heart.”
“Oh good!”
“You go home Ms. Rollins and get some rest. I’ll
see you Monday morning.”
“Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!”
Ms. Rollins reached over and turned off her alarm clock. She
was ready for battle. Today would be the day that justice
would be served.
She walked into the courtroom at 9:30 am noticing disgust in her
attorney’s eyes.
“Attorney Watson, what’s wrong?”
“The Vice-President of Collins Chemical and secretary of Clearer
Water has disappeared.”
“What do you mean they’ve disappeared? People
don’t just disappear!”
“I haven’t been able to contact either of them for the
last 3 days. No one has been at their house and both stood
me up for our dinner meeting this weekend.”
“What are we going to do?”
“We hope that the judge is really understanding.”
As the defense attorney and Mr. Collins walked into the courtroom
Ms. Rollins noticed a gleam of victory in Mr. Collins face along
with a chuckling that lingered in the courtroom.
“All rise for the honorable Judge Mallory.”
“Be seated, prosecution, your first witness.”
“Your honor may I approach the bench?”
.
Judge Mallory gestured for both attorneys to come forward.
“Judge Mallory I am asking for a two-day recess.”
“Judge, this is poposterous!!”
“Calm down defense attorney. May I ask for what Attorney Watson?”
“Your honor my two key witnesses have disappeared and I need
time to locate their whereabouts.”
“Your Honor I object, this is unprofessional and costing the
court valuable time.”
“I am sorry Attorney Watson, the defense is right. You
both may take you seat.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, due to insufficient evidence
concerning the Rollins vs. Collins Chemical, this case has been
dismissed. Court adjourned.”
With tears in her eyes, Ms. Rollins turned to her lawyer, “It’s
okay, you did all that was in your power. Mr. Collins will
have to answer to a higher power.”
While leaving the courtroom Attorney Watson and Deric Collins met
at the door.
“I heard you lost your key witnesses, you should try searching
the local rivers and streams, I am sure their bodies are just about
settled in.”
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