Page 64 of Maddy's Justice

“Nondisclosure agreements,” Connie said.

“Maybe,” Marc replied. “I’m gonna put Maddy on them. See if she can get anything out of them.”

“On condition of anonymity,” Connie said.

“Unless they testify for the plaintiffs,” Marc added.

Maddy followed the woman into the shopping center parking lot. At 6:00P.M.on a weeknight, the Byerly’s grocery store was very busy with a lot of working people, especially professionals and management women, shopping for supper on their way home.

Maddy’s quarry was a thirty-two-year-old, former lawyer with Stafford, Hughes. Her name was Paloma Vitale. Paloma was first on the list of the four who refused to speak with one of Tony’s guys.

Maddy drove down the parking aisle parallel to the one Paloma was in. She could see Paloma looking for a parking spot, so Maddy pulled into the first one she came to.

A warm evening for June in Minnesota, temps almost ninety, Maddy watched the woman walking toward the store then hurried to fall in behind.

“Hello, Paloma,” Maddy quietly said while they both stood in line at the deli counter.

Once inside, Maddy decided to take the direct approach. She also believed, at least hoped, in a busy grocery store, Paloma would be reluctant to make a scene.

“Hello,” she replied. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

Paloma Vitale was several inches shorter than Maddy with dark eyes and black, Sicilian hair. She also had an uneasy smile to go with her uncertain look.

“No, you don’t, but I’d like to buy you coffee and have a few minutes…”

“Sorry, I’m busy,” she said and took a wary step backwards.

“My name is Madeline Rivers and I’m a private investigator. I mean you absolutely no harm,” Maddy said handing Paloma the business card she was holding.

Paloma looked at Maddy’s card and said, “I’m a lawyer and I don’t need to talk to you.”

Quickly deciding to take a chance, Maddy jumped right in and said, “Actually, you do. I can see it in your eyes. You were date raped by Troy McGovern and I need to talk to you about it.”

“How do you…”

“I will absolutely protect your privacy. Please, Paloma, we need to talk.”

“I, ah, can’t,” Paloma whispered. “I signed an agreement…”

“Yes, you can. Give me five minutes and I’ll explain why. Please.”

Paloma put down her shopping basket and the two women went into the Caribou coffee shop in the store. They each got a latte and found a secluded table.

“How did you find out?” Paloma asked.

“I guessed,” Maddy said. In response to the surprised look on Paloma’s face Maddy added, “You left Stafford, Hughes two years ago. You’re driving a two-year-old Mercedes 350. The firm you’re with does mostly divorce work and they don’t pay that kind of money. Was the car part of the settlement?”

“You’re good,” Paloma said.

“What happened?”

“I’m not supposed to talk about it. Besides, who are you working for and why are you asking?”

Maddy took a minute to fill her in on the lawsuit and her role. Of course, she also told her about Connie and Marc representing the firm.

“So, they went outside for counsel,” Paloma said. “That surprised me when I saw it in the paper.”

“Why?”

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