Page 29 of Maddy's Justice

“That’s another interesting little tidbit,” Carvelli said. “Boyfriends. Each of them was involved with a man and the boyfriends each filed a report. Separately and without the other’s knowledge.”

“I thought the rumor is they were lesbians?” Connie asked.

“Could have been but doesn’t seem likely,” Maddy said.

“Where did they live?” Marc asked Carvelli.

He checked his notes then remembered and said, “They had separate apartments. About a mile or so apart. Not too far from here. In the Uptown, Chain of Lakes neighborhood. Spendy. Their clothes were gone but nothing else.”

“Both in Minneapolis,” Marc said. “Go see Owen Jefferson. Lay this on him, see what he thinks.”

“Will do,” Carvelli said.

“Take Ms. Rivers with you so he’ll be sure to talk to you,” Marc said.

“Hello, gorgeous,” Carvelli said to the woman behind the glass.

Tony Carvelli and Maddy Rivers were in the Old City Hall Building in downtown Minneapolis. They were here to meet with a senior officer, a lieutenant in the Homicide Division. Owen Jefferson, a six foot, five-inch black man and one-time NBA prospect who was also a friend. Sort of. For once, Carvelli had called ahead to set a meeting. Jefferson gave Carvelli a bad time about it, until Carvelli told him he was bringing Maddy. With that news Jefferson told him to hurry. Maddy Rivers was probably the most popular civilian with the entire MPD.

“What do you want, Carvelli?” the officer asked. Her name was Alice Zylinski and she was the guard at the entrance to the department. Alice was a double-dipper. After earning a pension as a Hennepin County Deputy Sheriff, she moved to the MPD. She had been guarding this entrance for almost twenty years. Now in her mid-sixties, the cynical curmudgeon was treading water to max out her MPD pension.

“Hi, doll,” Alice said looking at Maddy.

“Every day I get out of bed hoping to see you smile,” Carvelli said.

“Be still my heart,” Alice replied while still wearing an indifferent look. “I haven’t smiled in twenty years asshole. Now what do you want?”

“That’s my girl,” Carvelli said while Maddy laughed. “Believe it or not, we have an appointment with Owen Jefferson.”

“Is he going to arrest you?” Alice said, then noticed Maddy’s left hand. Before Carvelli could answer she said, “Hey, let me see the ring.”

“What do you think?” Maddy asked as she held it up to the glass partition.

“It’s gorgeous,” Alice said. “The lawyer? What’s the matter with you, Carvelli? You’re really gonna let her marry a defense lawyer?”

“Yeah, like I have anything to say about it,” Carvelli replied.

“You happy?” Alice sincerely asked Maddy.

“Delirious. He’s actually a great guy,” Maddy said.

“Then I’m happy for you. Listen, go upstairs and wave that thing around. Break a few hearts and crush all their fantasies. Oh, yeah, and take this reprobate with you,” Alice said referring to Carvelli.

Alice hit the buzzer to let them in while Carvelli blew her a kiss.

“I have a gun,” Alice said while they passed through the door.

When they reached the Homicide Division, Maddy had to make the rounds showing off the ring. The women detectives swooned over it. The men all shook their heads with a faux disgusted look while several asked, “A lawyer?” or some variation.

While she did this, Carvelli met with Jefferson in his office.

“We don’t have a helluva lot on your missing lawyers,” Jefferson told him. Jefferson had handed him the MPD file for Carvelli to peruse.

“Yeah, I can see that,” Carvelli replied.

“When you walked in, I called over to missing persons. One of the guys who did the investigation is on his way. Grady Wilson. You know him?”

Carvelli looked up, thought for a moment and as Maddy walked in said, “No, I don’t think so.”

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