Page 92 of Maddy's Justice

“I’m in. In fact, I’m already in,” Carvelli replied.

“Thanks,” Paxton said and squeezed his hand. “Any ideas?” she asked.

“Sure,” Carvelli said. “But none that I’ll discuss with you.”

“I was just about to say the same thing,” Sean said. He looked at Carvelli and said, “We’re gonna need a first-class bug guy.”

“I’m not listening,” Paxton said and covered her ears with her hands.

“I know just the guy,” Carvelli said. “We have a couple of targets now. Can you find someone who can, well, get into an office say, after hours?”

“Several, but I don’t know how we’re gonna pay them,” Sean said.

“I do,” Carvelli replied.

Sean looked at his niece and with a stern expression asked, “Are you two, well, enjoying each other’s company?”

“That’s none of your business,” Helen said. “In fact, since they’re both adults, I hope so.”

Paxton looked at Carvelli who had rolled his eyes at the ceiling trying to look innocent, laughed and kissed his cheek.

THIRTY

Marc picked up the phone after the intercom buzzed and politely said, “Yes, may I help you?”

“What happened to Marc?” Carolyn said. “Who are you and what did you do with the guy who answers the phone like a grumpy, old man?”

“Stop, I’m gonna hurt myself laughing. What do you want, smartass?”

“Welcome back. Tony’s on the phone,” Carolyn told him.

Marc punched the button with the blinking red light and asked, “Are you back?”

“Yeah, I am. I tried calling on your cell, but it went to voice mail,” Carvelli said.

“Oh, shit,” Marc muttered as he picked up his personal phone. “I had it shut off. Fortunately, there’s only one message from her majesty.”

“How did you know I got back? I didn’t tell you I was gonna be gone,” Carvelli asked.

“How do you suppose? Paxton called Maddy as soon as she dropped you off at O’Hare,” Marc said.

“Do women tell each other everything, all the time?”

“Yes, you didn’t know that? From now on, whenever you sleep with Paxton, you have to do it under an assumed name.”

“That wouldn’t work either. Paxton would know it was me because of the number of times she passes out from pure ecstasy,” Carvelli said.

“If you’re gonna talk like that, I’ll transfer the call to Connie. The two of you can swap stories.”

“She’d win in a landslide. Listen, I have some news. I’m in my car on the Crosstown. I’ll be at your office in fifteen minutes. I just called to see if you were in.”

“I’m here. See ya’ then.”

Marc sipped a cup of coffee while standing behind Kellie Johnson, the law school intern. He was watching Carvelli float around the office schmoozing with the women. Carvelli was about to start flirting with Kellie when Connie came out of her office.

“Should I tell them what Paxton told Maddy this morning?” Marc asked Carvelli.

“Yes!” Connie, Carolyn, and Sandy quickly said in unison.

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