Page 77 of Maddy's Justice

“We’ll keep our distance,” Marc answered her.

“And try to get our case settled as soon as possible,” Marc then said to Connie.

“Do we have an obligation to tell them this?” Connie asked.

“Probably, but I’m not going to. It has nothing to do with our representation and we don’t know what it’s about,” Marc replied. “The firm’s name came up in an investigation in Chicago. What does that mean? I have no idea or any idea what to tell them. So, no, we used our judgment and ignored it.”

“That will never fly,” Connie said.

“I know, but it’s the best I can come up with, for now,” Marc replied.

While walking back to their table, Connie asked Paxton, “You want me to give Carvelli a push?”

“Would you? There’s something about him. The bad boy thing. I’m not looking for anything real serious. I’d just like to, I don’t know…”

“Get laid on a semi-regular basis?”

Paxton laughed but admitted, “Yeah, something along those lines.”

“He is kind of hot,” Connie said. “And don’t you ever tell him I said that,” she told Marc.

“Leave me out of this. I can get in all of the trouble I can handle all by myself.”

TWENTY-SIX

Before leaving the engagement party Saturday night, Marc and Connie briefly talked about what Paxton had told them. Uncertain what to do, they both agreed to wait until Monday and then they would have a meeting with everyone to discuss it.

“You and Paxton were getting pretty friendly by the end of the evening,” Maddy said teasing Carvelli.

“They left together,” Connie said before Carvelli could reply.

It was Monday morning and they were gathered in the conference room.

“You old dog,” Maddy said. “Did she spend the night with you?”

“Getting a little personal aren’t you, Mom?” Carvelli asked then looked at Marc.

“Don’t look at me,” Marc said. “It’s none of my business.”

“Yes,” Maddy said answering Carvelli’s question.

“A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell,” Carvelli said.

“Oh boy,” Marc quietly said.

“What does that have to do with you?” Connie asked.

“You walked right into that one,” Marc said.

“Well?” Maddy persisted. “I can call her. She’ll give me all the details and I do mean, all of the details.”

“Okay, if you insist. I’ll admit to taking her to breakfast and the airport Sunday morning. Anything else, get it from her. Although I’d appreciate it if you’d give me a chance to call her first. There are a couple of things I’d like her to, well, maybe not lie about it, but at least embellish.”

“You mean the size thing,” Maddy said.

“Madeline!” Marc barked at her.

Laughing almost hysterically Maddy managed to say, “Sorry, that was too easy.”

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