READER NOTICE: This a faith-based
novel. However, purposing to remain true to the story which inspired
it, the novel has a nominal use of profanity and sexual expression content. This acknowledgment is provided courtesy of the publisher.
...In the world of
controversial “breaking news” journalism, I'm known by the nick name of
“Justice Walker”- my name is Robert Walker. I'm a freelance investigative
reporter who's been on a mission to bring mainstream awareness of a
"grave injustice" that commonly takes place in our modern day justice
system. Every year many innocent men and women, fathers and mothers of
young children, are unjustly convicted and sentenced to spend years
of their lives in prison- leaving their children to grow up without a
father or without a mother... (to be continued)
...Will Brandon, is an American
living in the Philippines with his Filipino wife and their two young kids. He
worked as a commercial finance consultant and thought he'd found the ideal
project funding source and a good friend. But Will was wrong and multimillion
dollar deals went bad. Will's dream of relocating his family to America became
a nightmare when he was served a warrant for his arrest by the FBI and forced
to come back to America to face charges. But, Will was confident the truth
would be enough, enough to free him and he'd return to his wife and kids in the
Philippines. But, the truth was not enough... (to be continued)
--------------------
...Will and I had several phone conversations regarding my
interest in writing a book about his story. He agreed we
would collaborate on the book, but he was reluctant for me to come meet with him
in the Philippines. He feared it could possibly be a FBI set-up.
But, eventually, I convinced him that I believed he was innocent. A
few months prior to start of our conversations, Will sent me the
evidence he had in his defense and I had it evaluated
by some of my experienced attorney friends. In discussing
the opinions of my friends, Will come to trust that I had only one
intention- and that was to tell his story. On a chilly Thursday
morning, early March, I took a flight from Chicago to the
Philippines. It was twenty plus hours flight time,
and Friday just before mid-night when I landed in
Cebu, the city where Will resided. I took a taxi
to my hotel and slept
soundly until the following morning. In the afternoon, Will
and I met at one of the large malls. The meeting was the beginning of an
enlightening, and intriguing journey. Will revealed a lot more than what
I'd expected- a lot more... (to be continued)
-------------
He was introduced to me as
Mr. Lawrence Matthews, the senior trustee of a Private Foreign
Trust, by a colleague who'd been acquainted with him for five
years. After standard due diligence produced nothing derogatory,
and having become acquainted with several other finance
professionals who'd known Matt for several years, I was convinced
that he was legit. A few months after we were introduced, our occasional
communication with one another had become very informal. I called
him Matt, after he suggested I do so, and he referred to me as Will. Often
times, he would just call me sport. About two years after our
introduction, and the establishing of a viable funding structure
acceptable to his Trust, we had a dozen or so mutual clients in
queue for multimillion dollar project funding. The
structure allowed for compensation for proof of funds services on the
front end, and commissions on the back end from the project funding proceeds.
There was a sense of the Trust being the golden egg funding source.
Along with that, was the feeling of financial security, that appeared it would last
well into the future... (to be continued)
____________
...I discussed with
Matt on Skype, my wife's and I decision to relocate our family
from the Philippines to the America. “Matt, my wife and I have decided we
will move to the states, mostly so our kids can experience living in America.
We believe Hawaii would be the best location for us." I said to him.
"But, making the move would depend on the project funding taking place.” I
went on to say. “Well, moving your family to Hawaii is good, it's much like the
Philippines, your wife and kids should love it there." He replied in an
encouraging tone. "Yeah, and me too, I've come to
love tropical living my self." I replied. "Also Will, you having a
U.S. business location would be better for your business." He went on
to say. "Yeah sport, the Trust is close to moving funds to the U.S.
to start funding the projects. Maybe by the time you organize your move the
Trust would have started funding.” He further said. I felt much more certain
about Joy’s and I decision after talking with Matt, and I was particularly
motivated by his reassurance that funding of the clients projects was definite
and soon. About a week later, I... (to be continued)
_____________
...My daughter Kendra, twenty-one at the time, and the
youngest of three daughters from my first marriage, had come to reside with me
in Hawaii in August to attend college. Reluctantly, I'd
agreed that Ray, her boy friend, could come with her and look for a job, which
he soon after found. Actually, I liked Ray, thought he was basically a good
guy. One morning, about week before Christmas; as I was on Skype talking with a business colleague on the
mainland, Kendra come into my room looking very distraught. When she saw I
was having a conversation on Skype she quickly turned
around and hurried out of the room and I could hear her footsteps as she
rapidly went down the stairs. "Kendra, Kendra, what is it hon?" I
called out to her, but got no response. Within seconds I heard her crying and
shouting with intense anger in her voice. I knew there was something terribly
unusual going on. “Don’t lie to me you bastard! I’ve seen the texts you’ve
received and sent to some bitch on your job! How could you play me like that
Ray after all I’ve done for you!” Said Kendra, yelling loudly. Realizing there
was something seriously wrong, I... (to be continued)
_________
____________
....her dream of going to America shattered, as the dream of emigrating my wife and kids to America shattered. I found myself easily confiding in Tina, telling her worries that I didn't want Joy to know I had. With Joy, I'd put on my best face and tell her everything is OK to keep her from worrying. I had many peaceless days and restless nights, fearing the project funding may not take place, and the plans to relocate my family to the U.S. would have to be cancelled. And after I'd learned Mr. Matthews had been arrested regarding the anticipated project funding, I dreaded telling Joy I may have been deceived about the Trust. I especially didn't know how I would tell her, that instead of me getting the expected commissions from the funding, I may have been left holding the bag for over three million dollars in client refunds. How do you tell your wife, that work you expected to bring financial freedom, has put you in three million dollars worth of debt? At that time, we were already facing eviction from our townhouse and repossession of our car. My declining health was causing additional problems. Man, I'd never before in my life, felt so defeated and deflated. Looking back; I felt naively suckered and deeply hurt. And felt deeply angered- but mostly at myself. Tina, became my escape, and my comfort... (to be continued)
____________
...I stood in my bedroom, the room which was my resting place, work place, my wife’s and I intimate private place, absorbing the fact that I was surrounded by strangers with badges, hand cuffs and guns. One of them standing on my bed cautiously observing me as though he thought I may put up a fight. The saddening reality of being under arrest, no longer a free man, about to unwillingly leave my home and be separated from my family had begun to consume my mind. “God you know I’m innocent, why are you letting this happen to me, to my family?" was a bombarding thought... (to be continued)
-----------------
...The moment Joy and I dreaded had come, and we just stared at each other silently as tears filled her eyes and mine. I'll never forget the broken hearted look on her face as she sat on my hospital bed with her eyes locked on me and tears flowing down her face as the paramedic rolled me on the stretcher bed toward the door.“I love you so much honey, I miss you too much already”, she said with trembling voice. I was all chocked up inside, wondering when will I see my wife and kids again. I struggled not to let Joy see what I was feeling. “I love you too honey, I’ll call you when I arrive in Manila. Don’t worry honey, God is in control, I’ll be back soon.” I said to her as the paramedic rolled me out of the room. I was escorted by Mags, the Philippine Immigration Officer and Marlon the Philippine Police Officer. We were met by FBI agent Sanders in the hospital lobby.... (to be continued)
____________
...The Arizona FBI agent, the Philippine Immigration officer and I landed in LA about 10:30 PM on Friday. Our direct flight from Cebu Philippines had taken about 13 hours. Having signed away my Miranda rights, I'd spent some of the flight time answering questions the FBI agent was asking me about the case. But, for most of the flight I’d been thinking about Joy, and our two kids Dominic and Nicole, whom I’d left very sad in the Philippines... (to be continued)
____________
...The lady and several other people were ahead of me to be waited on at the ticket counter. I'd began to sweat and feel as though I was being watched. I wondered if maybe upon me paying for a ticket to the Philippines a FBI agent would walk up to me and announce that I was under arrest. It also came to mind that maybe the ticket attendant would find there was an international no flight alert on me and call security... (to be continued)
_____________
...The joy of finally reuniting with my family was bringing tears to my eyes that I couldn't hold back. Within fifteen minutes I'd be landing in Cebu Philippines airport after departing from there a year and a half earlier a prisoner. And then it dawned on me; that though I was returning to Cebu no longer a prisoner, I was returning a fugitive... (to be continued)
_____________
..."Will, do you regret coming back to the Philippines a fugitive- coming back before clearing your name?" I asked him. Will slowly turned his head and looked outside the restaurant window into the mall corridor full of Filipinos and a few foreigners. "The people that really matter, have known the truth all along. But, I regret not being able to hug my mother again, and attend her funeral when she dies. I regret not being able to see my older children, my grand children and other relatives again on American soil. I regret that my Filipino wife and our kids will never experience America together. But, most of all, I wish that I'd given God a chance... I regret that I didn't trust Him." Will calmly replied, with tears filling his eyes. "Will, what would you do if you were taken into custody again in the Philippines to be extradited back to America?" I asked him. "And live life without my wife and kids again!?" He abruptly responded. "Well, I think I'd rather be dead in the Philippines." Will went on to say, in a confirming tone... (to be continued)
_____________
..."Will, what about Tina?" I asked. And just as I'd finished the question, a beautiful waitress, about mid-twenties, come to the table. I noticed Will's respectful attraction to her somewhat tall curvy petite body and pretty facial features. "Sir, you need anything here?" She asked, in a very sincere, soft voice and clear accented English. Will looked at me, and I respond that I was good. "No, were OK for now, thanks for asking". Will replied to her in a mellow tone. "Kumusta? (how are you?)" Will went on to ask her in the local dialect. "I'm fine sir". She replied, seeming grateful he'd asked... (to be continued)
____________
...Will, you never answered my question about Tina." I said to him. "Mr. Walker, I love the Philippines, I love the people. It's the first place I'd ever experience the absence of prejudice." The Philippines has given me a beautiful and good wife and we have beautiful kids. I have good friends here- I've known many Tinas. Some content, some desperate hearted. But, almost all are lovely women. A guy can get carried away. But, I think I know which Tina you mean... (to be continued)
_____________
..."Will, how do you really feel about America now?" I asked him. "America has a black president, which is social progress, and, I like President Obama. I believe he'll prove to be among the nation's best presidents. It takes good people, to bring about good change. But, ask me the question again later, let's say, about the last chapter of the book." Will replied solemnly... (to be continued)
_____________
...I could feel the adrenalin rushing through my veins, as thoughts played in my mind like a suspense movie trailer. I'd gone too far to turn around; I pointed the old, faded black thirty eight caliber pistol at the private investigator. "Jump into the hole now!" I demanded loudly. "Will, think about this." He responded, with trembling voice, as he slowly backed toward the seven feet deep hole. "Don't blame me that you've come half-way round the world to die. Turn around and jump into the hole now, or fall in dead." I firmly said. "But, before you do, I have a question for you. How does it feel to know you'll never see your wife and kids again?" I went on to ask him. "And, my god, to think you were only doing your job, with no wrong intentions. Damn, this is not a good situation is it? Actually, it's really fucked up, isn't it?" I sarcastically said to him... (to be continued)
_________
Will, what's your thoughts about the prosecutor now? I asked him. "Actually, I don't have any". He quickly replied. "Well, what I mean is, what do you think about how he handled your case?" I went on to ask him. Suddenly, with solemn look coming across his face, Will leaned back in his seat while taking deep breath, then letting out a short sigh. He again lean forward placing both hands folded on the table, looking at me intensely eye to eye. "Overzealous". He calmly replied. "Well, prosecutors work in a mean world, see and hear a lot of evil stuff. After a while, it has to mess with the heart, affect the eyes you see life through. I wouldn't want the job for any salary amount." Will went on to say, in an almost empathizing tone. "Maybe, he didn't set out to make it look as if I was guilty. But then again, why would..." (to be continued)
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