Page 111 of Precise Justice

“Hi, kids,” Carvelli said. He pulled up a chair from up against the railing and sat down.

“Look at how tan he is,” Maddy said. “Where have you been?”

“I just spent a month in Polk City, Florida doing undercover at a Best Buy warehouse and distribution center.

“There was so much theft going on I had to bring in the FBI. The local cops, some of them, were in on it up to their eyeballs. Didn’t you hear about it? They busted over fifty people, including cops and sheriff’s deputies. They had to close the warehouse. Now Best Buy is trying to decide if they want to reopen it or move it.”

“Did you stop in Chicago on your way back?” Maddy asked referring to an assistant U.S. attorney Carvelli was involved with.

“Yeah…”

“What?” Maddy said. “What did you do?”

“It’s not what I did, it’s what she’s been doing,” Carvelli replied.

“Oh, oh,” Maddy said. “Is Paxton…”

“Seeing someone else? Yes. It’s okay. These long distance things never work. I’ve thought about it and, you know, I love her enough to wish her well. I hope she finds happiness.”

“You’re a hell of a man,” Maddy said. “A lawyer?”

“A judge. A federal district court judge. And, a married one,” Carvelli replied.

“You’re kidding! I’ll call her,” Maddy said.

“Leave it alone. She’s a big girl. Sooner or later, she’ll figure it out.

“So, how are things here?” he asked.

“Robbie, have you met him?” Maddy asked.

“No, I don’t think so,” Robbie said.

Maddy introduced them and Marc said, “Okay, the crowd’s gone. Let’s go.”

Marc stood and quietly spoke to Carvelli. “I’m glad you’re back. I’ve got a job for you. Part of our ‘some other dude did it defense’.”

“Okay,” Carvelli said.

By now, Robbie and Blake were almost at the exit of the empty courtroom. Whispering so Robbie and Blake would not hear him, Marc said, “We have a paying client.”

“So much the better,” Carvelli replied.

“Don’t get carried away,” Marc said.

“Relax, I could take the rest of the year off on what I made in Florida.”

“Ahem, ahem,” Maddy said to get Carvelli’s attention. “Next time you have a deal like that, try to remember I’m available.”

“At first, the cops believed the death of Robbie’s mother, was caused by a burglary job gone sideways,” Marc, back at his office, told Carvelli starting his explanation. “I have a list of the items Blake came up with that were stolen.”

While Marc was telling Carvelli this, he was looking through Robbie’s file. He found the list and asked Maddy to open his door.

“Ryan! Got a minute?” he yelled out to the receptionist.

Ryan came into Marc’s office and Marc handed him the list of stolen items.

“Two copies, please and thanks,” Marc said.

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