Page 10 of Maddy's Justice

“I think I should’ve asked them to validate my parking,” Marc said, suppressing a smile.

“I’ll pay the damn parking,” Connie said. “Now, answer my question.”

“I knew I could get you to do it,” Marc said and laughed.

They were alone in the elevator on their way down having left the Stafford, Hughes offices. When Troy McGovern joined them in Melanie Stewart’s office, Marc annoyed Stafford and Gavin Blake by asking them and Cliff Spenser to leave. Spenser, being a litigator, understood Marc needed candor from his client. Brandon Stafford’s arrogance and ego got in the way and Gavin Blake followed Brandon’s lead.

“I think we may be making a mistake. Our client is a charming guy with an asshole lurking just below the surface. Another thing, there is so much tension among these people,” Marc said answering Connie’s question.

Marc looked at Connie and asked, “Do you think any of these people actually like each other?”

“Probably not,” Connie replied. “Most of these downtown, white shoe firms are like that. Too many egos fighting over power and money.”

Still looking at Connie, Marc said, “Thanks, Mom, for saving me from a fate like that after Mickey died.”

“Yeah, and you still owe me for that,” Connie replied.

“I know,” Marc agreed. “Good luck collecting.”

The elevator doors opened on the lobby floor. Connie patted Marc on the shoulder and said, “You’re lucky I like you, kid.”

“I know,” Marc agreed again.

Marc Kadella was a sole practitioner in an office sharing arrangement with three other lawyers. The offices were on the second floor of the Reardon Building. It was located on Lake St. and Charles Ave. in Minneapolis roughly ten minutes from downtown. Connie Mickelson was Marc’s landlord, having inherited the building from her father.

Marc’s practice was primarily criminal defense and bread and butter cases such as divorce. He had a huge, high-profile, serial killer case drop in his lap a few years back. He won the case which brought on more such cases. After many years of struggling, he was finally making a very good living. Few lawyers, despite what TV shows say, do make a very good living.

There were two other lawyers in their quasi-firm. Barry Cline, a good trial lawyer himself, did primarily corporate litigation. Much of his caseload came from the fourth lawyer, Christopher Grafton. Grafton had built up a solid clientele of small to medium size businesses. He also had an accounting degree and a deathly fear of courtrooms.

When they got back to their office, Marc gave Jeff Modell, the office paralegal, some instructions.

“Open a separate file for each of us. Get these checks deposited into our separate Trust Accounts and type up these notes, or, have Sandy do it if you’re too busy.”

“Why is his time more valuable than mine?” Sandy asked, half-serious. “Why don’t you think I’m not too busy?”

“Keep reminding me why I’m divorced and in no hurry to do that, again,” Marc said.

“Wait till the next time we see Maddy,” Carolyn Lucas, the office manager and other administrative assistant said.

Marc looked at Jeff and said, “I said that out loud, didn’t I?”

“Yeah,” Jeff said, “You did. Good luck.”

Marc was sitting at his desk going through the daily mail delivery. A minute into it, Connie came through the open door.

“Yeah?” Marc asked without looking up.

“I talked to Lori Quinn. She has had two copies made of the recording. One for us and one for her. The original has been filed with the court for preservation,” Connie said as she pulled a client chair next to a window.

“You do that just to annoy me, don’t you?” Marc asked as she lit a cigarette and blew the smoke outside.

“Yep, and it’s quite amusing. Besides, any more complaining and I tell Maddy what you said about marriage.”

“She’s gonna hear it anyway,” Marc replied. “Finish that thing and we’ll go set up in the conference room.”

Marc asked Barry to join them. Barry had significantly more civil trial experience and his input would be invaluable.

When the three of them were seated at the conference room table, Marc asked Barry, “Okay, Mr. Civil Litigator, how does this work? Wait, I just remembered something.”

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