Page 134 of Maddy's Justice

“Yes, it is,” Marc said. “Besides, I know who to talk to. Homicide, please, Lieutenant Owen Jefferson,” Marc said into the phone.

“Jefferson,” Marc heard the familiar voice say.

“Lieutenant, this is Marc Kadella. I need a minute of your time, please.”

“Okay, what can I do for you?”

“Hypothetically, let’s say I have a client who someone unknown tried to kill. Does this client….”

“Bring her in, Marc,” Jefferson said.

“Bring who in? My hypothetical client?”

“Don’t play games. We’re talking about Melanie Stewart. Someone ran her off the road in Minnetonka last night and shot up her car. She just happens to be a lawyer at a firm you’re doing a civil suit for. Bring her in.”

“If I find that what you’re saying is true, and privilege does not allow me to confirm or deny it, I’ll get back to you.”

“Marc, the sheriff’s office has put out a BOLO on her for questioning. You’re close to the obstruction line,” Jefferson said.

“If, and I do mean if, I knew what you’re talking about, I’d say I disagree. Goodbye, Owen.”

“What?” Melanie asked when Marc ended the call.

“They’re looking for you as I knew they would be. You’re both the victim and a material witness to an attempted homicide,” Marc said. “They need to talk to you.”

“I’m scared. Terrified.”

“What do you want to do?” Connie asked Marc.

“We need to bring you in. You’re not in trouble. You’ll be protected. Besides, they missed. If it is Brandon Stafford, which I seriously doubt, they won’t try it again.”

“Who else could it be?” Melanie asked. “Something’s going on down on thirty-eight that they went to a lot of trouble to cover up. In fact, you two might be next. Have you thought of that?”

“Yes,” Marc said while Connie said no.

“She’s right,” Marc said.

“I didn’t think about that,” Connie replied.

“We’ll go downtown and talk to Owen Jefferson,” Marc said.

“Okay,” Melanie reluctantly agreed. “But what if they want to put me in protective custody?”

“You don’t have to unless they get a material witness warrant. You’re not a flight risk or in immediate danger,” Marc replied.

Mark went through the same 411 routine, got Jefferson on the phone, and told him they were coming to see him.

Carvelli’s phone buzzed, he looked at the ID and answered it. “Hey. What’s going on?”

He was in his car with Maddy following Labelle’s chauffer/bodyguard Alan Dale. They had been at it since Dale picked up Labelle at his home that morning. It was now mid-afternoon, and Dale was running the car through a full-service car wash. Carvelli was happy for the interruption. Despite how much they adored each other, of late he and Maddy were getting on each other’s nerves a bit. Boredom was the real cause.

“I need a favor,” Carvelli heard Marc say. “First of all, is Maddy with you?”

“No, she went out clubbing last night and didn’t get back until sixA.M.”

Maddy’s head snapped toward him and she said, “Who are you talking to? That’s Marc isn’t it?”

“No, an old army buddy.”

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