Page 21 of Maddy's Justice

“Elena Helm,” Maddy said. By now she had rolled over on to her back.

“Ugh,” Maddy continued. “Boy, can that woman drink. I swear she had two martinis for every one glass of wine I had.” She looked at Marc and asked, “Are you leaving?”

“Yes,” Marc said.

“Okay,” Maddy said. She pulled the covers up to her chin, rolled over onto her side and said, “I’ll be in later.”

“Get up,” Marc replied.

“I will. I’ll see you in a while.”

Marc bent down, kissed her on the cheek and repeated, “Get up.”

“Go away.”

* * * * * * *

“Elena Helm,” Maddy said beginning her report. She was in the office conference room with Marc, Connie, and Tony Carvelli.

“I almost feel sorry for her,” Maddy said. “Thirty-six years old, cum laude graduate of Northwestern University Law school. Went to work for a small firm in Madison right after law school. They went out of business, but before they did, she got a lot of trial experience. Recently made partner at Stafford, Hughes.

“She’s been on the mass torts team for three years and with Stafford, Hughes for five. Openly admitted to sleeping with Troy McGovern to get on his team. Oh, I forgot to mention, twice divorced, no kids.”

“Eighty to ninety-hour work weeks will play hell with relationships,” Connie interjected.

“Oh, that’s not the only problem,” Maddy dryly said. “She ah, hit on me as we were leaving. Asked me if I had any gay or bi inclinations.”

There was a pause of several seconds until Marc said, “And? Your response was?”

“I told her I’d let her know after I see how the engagement thing goes,” Maddy said then winked at Connie.

“Very funny,” Marc said.

“Keep you on your toes,” Maddy replied.

Connie looked at Carvelli who was silently listening with a sly look on his face. “I know what you’re thinking, you disgusting pervert. The male fantasy. A threesome with two switch hitting women.”

“What? I didn’t say or do anything,” Carvelli protested. “I’m just sitting here minding my own business.”

“And what do you have to say for yourself?” Maddy asked staring straight at Marc.

“How does this always happen?” Marc asked Carvelli. “We don’t even do or say anything then all of a sudden, we’re being interrogated.”

Marc looked at Maddy then said, “I’m not indulging this. Move on with your report.” He then whispered, “Besides, we’ll talk about it later.”

Once the laughter died down, Maddy said. “In your dreams, buster.”

“Your report…” Marc said.

“Where was I? Oh, okay. She’s been with McGovern for three years. When she went to him to see if there was a spot in that department, it was well known around the firm that she would have to have sex with him to have a chance.”

“It was well known around the firm?” Connie asked. “By whom?”

“At least most of the women. The mass torts department is a huge revenue producer. Almost a hundred fifty hundred million last year and they’ll do that again, she told me,” Maddy said.

“For that kind of money, the senior partners put on blinders, keep their ears closed and let McGovern do what he wants,” Marc said.

“Troy McGovern, with bonuses, salary and everything is the highest paid lawyer in the firm. Elena thinks he’s making six or seven million per year and, get this, he’s broke. Or, so she claims,” Maddy said.

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