Page 103 of Maddy's Justice

“It’s more….” Connie started to say then looked at Marc.

“…casual,” Marc said. “But then we don’t have your overhead.”

“Or egos to deal with,” Melanie replied. She then said to Connie, “I’ll call you after I see Gavin.”

While they were in with Melanie, a summer rain had moved in. It was coming down in a way that indicated rain all day. Because of the storm, Marc and Connie took the skyway system back to the parking ramp.

“What do you think?” Marc asked. “Was she telling the truth? She didn’t know what was going on in the room on thirty-eight?”

“Either that or she’s one helluva an actor. Besides, we don’t know what’s going on down there. It may be something perfectly legitimate,” Connie answered.

“Then why the secrecy? Why doesn’t Melanie know, and I don’t think she does,” Marc said.

“Why are you so suspicious of our client?”

“Something’s just not right about these guys,” Marc said. “Chicago.”

Melanie was exactly on time for her meeting with Gavin Blake. Having an hour to calm down, she decided to take a soft approach. Melanie knew when Gavin was lying. His eyes would shift back and forth. Gavin had been a good, not great lawyer, but a solid Rainmaker and administrator. He was also a very weak man.

“Come in, Melanie, please. What did you wish to see me about?” Gavin pleasantly said.

For his part, when he returned to his office he had been informed about the upcoming meeting with Melanie. Gavin hurried into his office, removed a bottle of Grey Goose from his credenza and drank a large swallow right from the bottle. These meetings with her always terrified him. He could sit with the boys for hours. There were times when ten minutes with Melanie left him needing a shower.

“Thanks for taking the time, Gavin,” Melanie said softly.

She took a client chair in front of his desk, sat bolt upright with her hands folded in her lap.

“I’m well, not quite sure how to even start this. I have a question for you. I’m sure it’s nothing but I can’t help wondering.”

Her manner and almost obsequious attitude totally disarmed Gavin. For once, she seemed uncomfortable in his presence.

“Well, just ask,” Gavin replied.

“Okay, um, I’ve heard some things, a rumor really, I’m sure it’s nothing…”

“Melanie,” he said smiling at her, “we’re friends. Spit it out.”

“Okay, I’ve heard the firm has a well, I guess you’d call it, a secret room of some kind on the thirty-eighth floor.”

Looking directly at his eyes she asked, “Do you know anything about this?”

Gavin Blake would likely be the worst poker player on the planet. There is not a game anywhere that the regulars would not love to have Gavin sit in.

The instant Melanie asked the question, his smile disappeared, his back straightened and worst of all, the eyes quickly shifted back and forth three times.

“No, I, ah, no, know nothing about any secret room on thirty- eight. Um, how, how did you hear about this?”

“Oh, thank you, Gavin. I’m so relieved. At first, I was angry, then I realized my partners wouldn’t keep something like that from me. Then, I was worried about even asking about it. I realized I could ask you and you would be honest with me.”

“Of course, Melanie,” a more relaxed Gavin said. “I can’t help wondering, where did you hear this?”

“I, ah, I really don’t want to say. I mean, it’s so silly.”

Melanie stood up to leave, thanked him profusely and as calmly as possible left.

She was barely out the door when Gavin dialed an intercom number.

“We have a problem,” Gavin told Brandon Stafford. He quickly told him what had happened and the entire conversation as close to verbatim as possible.

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