Page 122 of Precise Justice

“Your Honor,” Hughes said again.

“What? You have your own investigators and a major metropolitan police department to investigate for you. Do you think you’ll find more evidence, more witnesses? If so, I’ll listen, but it better be good.

“Motions. I don’t like last minute motions. Get it together. Last chance,” Foster said while looking at his desk calendar, “I’ll give you until the end of April. April thirtieth.

“Any questions? Good,” Foster quickly said before Hughes could try to ask one.

“I’ll have an order out by end of business today. Thank you.”

When they reached the floor in the underground garage where Marc parked, he handed the keys to Maddy.

“Here, drive please. I’m a little preoccupied,” Marc said.

“You knew we were gonna lose,” Maddy said.

“I know, still I hoped…I need to call Jason Briggs. See how he’s doing with the hammer scratches.”

On the drive back to the office there was silence between them. Marc was deep in thought so Maddy and Carvelli knew him well enough to leave him alone.

Maddy parked Marc’s SUV in its usual spot, shut off the engine, looked at Marc and asked, “Did you think of something?”

“Maybe. Both of you come up and we’ll talk.”

“How did it go?” Connie asked through her open door from behind her desk.

“He quashed the subpoenas,” Marc answered.

“You figured he would,” Connie said.

“You always expect the worst then if it goes your way it’s a correct ruling,” Marc replied.

Carvelli was standing next to Marc in Connie’s open door. Maddy ran off to say hello to everyone.

Looking at Connie, Carvelli foolishly said, “Time for a coloring. You’re getting quite a bit of gray on top.

In an instant Connie had a letter opener in her hand ready to throw it.

“Holy shit!” Carvelli said.

Marc ducked to his right, Carvelli to his left putting a wall between him and Connie.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it. You look great,” Carvelli said.

“I’d throw it, but unfortunately you’re right,” Connie said.

“When are you gonna learn?” Marc asked.

Carvelli peeked around the corner and saw that Connie had put the letter opener down.

“Still friends?” he asked.

“Sure. Please step into the line of fire,” Connie said.

“I need him alive,” Marc said. “Isn’t it time for a smoke break?”

By now, Maddy was back. From behind Marc she asked, “What did Tony do now?”

Marc told her just as Connie came out of her office.