The court was called back into session, and it was a media zoo. TV cameras were everywhere; interviews with anybody who looked like they were associated with the case were grabbed on sidewalks and in hallways. Hell, they even tried to corner poor Lawrence in the men’s room.
The state legal eagles filed into the room; they had added a couple more people to their team, and then the Spanish entourage entered, some fifteen strong.
Lawrence leaned over to me and said, “Geez, you sure know how to throw a party.”
Dave heard him and laughed. “This should be good,” he said. They knew what was going to happen.
I was sitting at the table with them as part of my plan; it was just the three of us.
David vs. Goliath.
The state immediately began presenting all sorts of justifications for their claims on the wreck and its treasure. I won’t bore you with the details. Then, it was Spain’s turn. They did a much better job, and I could see they had the judge’s interest. And then the circus started as the state jumped on Spain and Spain fought back, vociferously. The cameras were going off, and videographers were trying to get in position to get good shots of the interchange, and the judge was trying to gain control of the mayhem. I sat there grinning as the scene played out.
Finally, the judge got things back under control, turned to Dave, and said, “Mr. Kensington, does the defense have anything they would like to add?”
Dave stood up, his huge linebacker frame filling his custom Dolce & Gabbana suit. He stood like an ebony warrior ready for battle, which is exactly what he was.
“Your Honor, we do,” his deep basso voice commanded a hush throughout the courtroom. “I have been in discussions with my client, Dr. Burnett, and, at this time, he requests that he be allowed to address the court, as president and CEO of Risky Business, Ltd.”
When people hear the name of my company, I don't know why there is invariably a chuckle from the crowd. The gallery did not disappoint.
The judge’s gavel hammered once, and he said, “I will allow it, Dr. Burnett.”
I stood and thought showtime and stepped from behind the table, facing him directly. “Your Honor, I apologize for the uproar these proceedings have brought to your courtroom. I never dreamed that treasure hunting would be this contentious and cause this much disruption.” Of course, that wasn’t true, but what the heck. Now, I had his attention. “So, to hopefully facilitate a swift conclusion, I would like to propose a compromise. Even though I do not believe the state has any legal jurisdiction over our discovery, and their claims would only result in a long, drawn-out court battle, which we are prepared to fight, and recognizing Spain’s historical interest in our discovery on its national patrimony, I would like to propose the following.” You could have heard a pin drop in the courtroom.
“My company proposes to give ten percent of what we have found to the state, which would amount to an estimated 40 million dollars; also, we agree to give them twenty percent of any future finds at the site. Once we conclude our excavation at the site, we agree to turn it over to the state, so they may have it for historical research.” The state people were listening intently, and, as I turned to look at them, I could see the frowns on the faces of the Spanish delegation.
“Additionally, we would agree to turn over the entire queen’s dowry to the Spanish government, no strings or additional monetary considerations included for either party. Historically, and in the best interest of international relations, I think that it’s the right thing to do.”
The courtroom went nuts. The state boys looked at each other, not knowing exactly how to react; the Spanish were smiling ear to ear, and I turned and winked at Dave and Lawrence, both with huge smiles on their faces.
The reporters were trying to get to the state officials for comment; others grabbed any member of the Spanish delegation they could, and the judge was banging his gavel loudly.
I stood there, waiting as the judge regained control again.
“Is that all, Dr. Burnett?” the judge asked.
“One more thing, your Honor, if the two parties agree to this settlement, they would release my company and all employees and associates from any current or future legal liability of any sort related to this discovery. That’s it,” I said and sat down.
The primary representative for the Spanish delegation, who had been huddled in discussion with his team, stood and said, “Your Honor, that is agreeable to Spain,” and sat down.
The judge looked at the state boys, who still seemed confused as to what just happened. “Well, what does the state say?”
“Well, your Honor, we need time to discuss and review all the…” the judge’s gavel stopped him in mid-sentence.
“Sir,” the judge said rather gruffly, “Dr. Burnett and his company have just made you a generous offer, both monetarily and historically. The other aggrieved party has accepted his generous offer, and to preclude what would be a long court battle, which, in my opinion, you would lose, I suggest you carefully consider this compromise. I will grant you a fifteen-minute recess, and then I expect a response.”
The state group hurried off to an anteroom, huddling, arguing, and cussing in not-so-quiet whispers all the way. In fifteen minutes, court reconvened, and the state’s lead stood and said in a somewhat quavering voice, “Your Honor, on behalf of the state, we accept the compromise as proposed.”
The judge smiled, hammered his gavel, and said, “Case closed.”
There were cheers and applause from the gallery and much pushing and shoving by the media to get to all parties involved for interviews.
The three of us got
