Chapter Seven

Madelyn

 

The morning was a crisp one, the perfect kind of day for a toasted bagel and a big mug of coffee. She spread her cream cheese slowly, feeling good about her life and almost looking forward to the next time she went to her parents’ place for dinner.

 

“Okay. It’s been long enough. You’ve hardly talked to me for a week.” Stacy sat across from her in the little booth at their favorite breakfast café, her round face serious. “I’ve got to know what’s happening with this client.”

 

Madelyn grinned. “Since when are you so interested in my work?”

 

“Since always,” Stacy insisted. “You know how much I love those court dramas on TV, and being best friends with you is like having my own personal one. It doesn’t hurt that your firm handles all those high-profile clients, either.”

 

“It’s not that big of a deal.” Madelyn flicked her fingers through the air. “We’re not entertainment lawyers, so it’s not like we’re representing big celebrities you see on TV.”

 

“Neither are they Joe Schmo off the street,” Stacy retorted. She pulled her wavy blonde hair behind her shoulders and reached for the packets of sugar. “The most exciting people I get to talk to are the witnesses after a traffic accident. They’re on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, I assure you.”

 

“Not exactly what you had in mind when you went into journalism?” Madelyn quirked an eyebrow as she picked up her coffee. “I thought you wanted to deal with the hard, heavy, real stuff in life.”

 

“I did, and I do. But things are always greener on the other side of the fence. Now, are you going to tell me about this new client or not?”

 

Of course she was going to. Madelyn knew she could trust Stacy, and even lawyers needed someone to talk to every now and then. “Are you familiar with the Marino family?”

 

Stacy’s wide eyes grew even bigger. “Do you mean the family?” she whispered as she brought one manicured hand to her mouth. “Because I’m pretty sure you’re not talking about the football player.”

 

Madelyn laughed. “Yes, I mean the family. The, um, head of the family has been accused of murder. Now don’t say it.” She held out a hand in the air to stop any of Stacy’s comments before they could start. “He didn’t do it.”

 

“That sounds like a really big deal,” Stacy enthused. “How did you swindle the big guys into giving you the file?”

 

Madelyn shrugged. She had thought about that a lot. Morber and Barnard had claimed they wanted to give her a chance to prove herself, but she hoped she could trust them enough to believe that. It was either the truth, or they were trying to get rid of her for some reason. Or maybe they were just tired of dealing with the mafia. Either way, she was going to do her best. “They handed it to me. Said that if I won the case they would finally give me a promotion.”

 

Stacy squealed and clapped her hands. Seeing that a few of the other patrons had turned to look at her, she calmed down, but her brilliant eyes were still alight with excitement. “So, what’s he like? Some Marlon Brando type? Big and mean with scars all over his face?”

 

“Nothing like that at all.” Madelyn reflected on the man she had been spending so much time with. “He’s a little older than us, in his mid-thirties, and he could be a male model if he wasn’t doing whatever it is he does when the government isn’t looking.” She knew all the stereotypical stuff, but Madelyn wasn’t sure how much of that was real. Besides, it was easier not to think about it. “He’s polite, smart, and very well-spoken. Generally speaking, he’s a pretty great guy.”

 

“And that’s who you went to The Emerald Crown with the other night?” Stacy fanned herself, looking like she was going to pass out. “Girl, you’re killing me over here. Are the two of you … into each other?”

 

“He’s my client, Stace.” She fiddled with her paper napkin, tearing a fringe along the bottom edge of it. “But I have to admit that he’s incredibly attractive, and he’s constantly complimenting me. I think it’s just an act to butter me up and make sure I don’t turn against him.”

 

“Why would you say that? A guy that powerful doesn’t have to lie to women to get them into bed. And you’re gorgeous. He’s probably just dying to tumble into bed with you.”

 

“I don’t know.” Madelyn had been dealing with her impure thoughts about Enzo for the last several days. She’d even begun dreaming about him, something that embarrassed her so much she wouldn’t even tell Stacy. “Guys like that don’t go for guys like me. They don’t want an attorney who won’t put up with their bullshit. They want some weak woman, pretty on the outside, mushy and scared on the inside, who will do anything they ask just for fear that he’ll leave. I’ve met plenty of women like that, and I’m not going to be one, no matter how hot Enzo is.”

 

“Enzo.” Stacy rolled his name around on her tongue. “I like that. Sexy, dangerous, a little exotic. I’ve been thinking about writing a book. Maybe I’ll use that name.”

 

“Feel free. It’s not like he has it copyrighted. But no matter how sexy and dangerous he is, I have to keep my distance. I don’t think the partners will want to give me that promotion if they find me rolling in the hay with one of their biggest clients.” It was a tempting thought, but she needed her job more than she needed a man.

 

Stacy checked her watch. “Damn. We’ve gotta get going or else you’ll be late and my boss will give me a shitty assignment. But you keep me posted on this. I want to know everything, Madelyn. Everything.” Getting up from the table, she took one last bite of her breakfast sandwich.

 

Madelyn joined her, knowing she was right. It had been too long since they’d been able to just sit down and hash out everything they were going through in their lives. “We’ll have to get together again sometime soon. Maybe in the evening when we have more time,” she suggested as they busted out the door and headed down the sidewalk to their building.

 

“Sounds good to me. Now you get in there and crush that case, okay?”

 

“I can do it,” Madelyn said with a wink as she got off the elevator. She was glad she had taken the time to meet up with Stacy that morning. Maybe once this whole thing was over, they would be able to do it more often. She had been spending way too much time working, and most of that involved thinking about Enzo. Fortunately, she had a few other—much smaller—cases going as well, so she had something else to focus on that morning as she plopped her bag down on her desk and turned on her computer.

 

But Mr. Morber had other plans for her. He burst through the door, without knocking, only a minute later, beads of sweat standing out on his forehead and his usually slick hair slightly disheveled. “Madelyn! We’ve got a problem on our hands!”

 

Her eyes widened as she took him in, concerned that the big man was going to have a heart attack. “Sit down, sir! What’s wrong?” Even though he was the one of the senior partners who usually let things get to him more, she had never seen him quite so frazzled.

 

He had a file in his hand, and he flicked his fingers against the front of it impatiently. “It’s the Marino case.”

 

“I’ve got that all handled,” Madelyn insisted. “I’ve combed over every piece of evidence and gone through all the witnesses. It’s in the bag.” Were they having second thoughts about her handling this?

 

Morber lowered his bulk into the chair opposite her, wheezing slightly. He retrieved a handkerchief from his breast pocket and dabbed at his forehead with it. “I’m sure you have. But that’s not the part I’m worried about. The city has more evidence against Lorenzo, and more charges to boot. Now it’s not just a case of murder, but of money laundering and fraud. There’s a whole laundry list of things they’re accusing him of.”

 

“But that will be a separate trial, right?” Madelyn argued. “They can’t just add it all on last minute.”

 

“They can if they think it’s related to the murder of George Lewis, and they do. Or at least they say they do. It’s a brilliant scheme, really. They get him—and us—to think it’s all simple and easy, and then they slam us with the big stuff. Just look through it, and you’ll see what I’m talking about. They’ve tied it all together in a big pretty bow for the district attorney.”

 

Madelyn took the file, not wanting to see what her boss told her to. But it was irrefutable, and Lorenzo was going to go away for a long time. They were now claiming Lewis’ murder was a hit job that Enzo had ordered, something that Madelyn had already suspected. That meant it was also connected to a slew of other murders around the city, as well as the fact that the Marino family was extracting money for protection out of otherwise innocent business owners. To support their case against his character, they intended to prove that his clothing store was just a front for the real business Enzo did in the back. “Shit,” she muttered as she took it all in, hoping she would wake up from this nightmare. “Shit, shit, shit!”

 

“I know.” Morber bobbed his head, leaning his elbow heavily on the edge of her desk. “It doesn’t look good. I have to be honest with you, Madelyn. I don’t know what might happen to an attorney who doesn’t win a case for a mob boss, but I hate to imagine it. I’ll take the case back. It’s the right thing to do.”

 

The poor man looked like he might collapse right there on her floor. He was the senior attorney out of anybody, and he was therefore the most responsible and the most capable. But that didn’t mean Madelyn could just shove the case back on him because it was suddenly too scary to handle. She had wanted this case to prove herself, and there was no reason she couldn’t still do it.

 

“No, I’m keeping it.”

 

“Madelyn—”

 

“Seriously, sir. I’m already in this thing up to my eyeballs, and I’ve already had the distinct pleasure of meeting two of Enzo’s cousins. They’ve assured me that I’d better win this case, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they already know where I live and what my favorite breakfast cereal is. If you take the case back and something bad happens, they’ll probably still blame me. I might as well keep myself in the spotlight.” She swallowed, remembering the way Johnny’s eyes had changed as he had threatened her back at The Emerald Crown. This was no time to be heroic, but it did seem like the time to practical.

 

“I think we’re all in danger, regardless,” Morber gulped.

 

Madelyn turned around to the mini fridge she kept behind her desk and retrieved a bottle of water, handing it over to him. “Why is that?”

 

He snatched it up and pressed it against his forehead for a moment before unscrewing the lid and chugging half of it down. “Well, think about it. Lorenzo has worked with Barnard and me for several years. He knows we’re the ones in charge of this firm, and I’m sure he knows that it was our decision to hand the case to you. That means we’re just as responsible for this as you are, even if we aren’t the ones in the court room.”

 

“Shit.”

 

“No, it’s okay. What you said is right. It makes sense to keep you as the spokesperson, shall we say. Barnard and I will do absolutely everything we can to help you. You have any and all resources of the office available to you, so don’t hesitate to use them. Maybe we should hire a bodyguard for you as well.”

 

The idea of needing someone to follow her around and keep her safe made her slightly dizzy, and not in a good way. “Why don’t we wait for that until the trial actually starts? As of right now, nothing has really changed. I’ll get together with Enzo this afternoon and go over the new charges, witnesses, and evidence.

 

Mr. Morber nodded, not saying anything about the familiar was she spoke about their client. “I’m very serious, though. Be careful, and know that you have the entire team behind you.” He seemed to be recovering himself somewhat. Some of the color had come back to his face, and he just looked tired instead of on the verge of passing out. “Once we get through this—and we will get through this—you’ll be the hottest lawyer in town.” He left the office, closing the door softly behind him.

 

Madelyn took in a deep breath, feeling a little woozy herself now that the weight of it all had settled around her shoulders. Enzo seemed like such a nice man, such a gentleman. Would he really let—or order—his cousins to kill her if she wasn’t able to get him off? Was he really that unreasonable? That vindictive? In the same thought, she realized that it might not matter what Lorenzo wanted if his cousins were determined enough. He was the boss, but they were all hardened criminals.

 

Her throat was tight as she dialed the phone. Her father had told her that she shouldn’t let this man walk. He was a criminal, and he was guilty of plenty even if he hadn’t ordered a hit on George Lewis. But what kind of defense attorney would she be if she thought that way?

 

“Hello, Ms. Rowe. I wasn’t expecting to hear from you today.”

 

Enzo’s smooth voice should have relaxed her, but it set her on edge even more. She sat up too straight in her chair, holding the phone too tightly. “I know. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

 

“Not at all. What can I do for you?”

 

Madelyn closed her eyes. “I was wondering if you might have time to meet up with me.”

 

“Again? You’re going to make me think this is more than just a business relationship.”

 

She couldn’t appreciate his philandering attitude at the moment. “There have been some changes in the case, rather large ones. I’d like to talk it over in person with you.”

 

There was a long moment of silence on the other end of the line, something uncharacteristic for Enzo. Finally, he said. “All right. Of course we can meet. Come to my house this evening, say around seven. I’m sure you have the address.”

 

Madelyn gestured wildly in the air. He’d caught her off guard, and she didn’t quite know how to respond. “I don’t want to intrude. We can meet here at the office.”

 

“No,” he insisted gently. “I would rather we do this in private. I’ve had my name in the news enough lately, and I’m sure you can bring your laptop with everything on it. There’s always free Wi-Fi at the Marino place.”

 

She smiled a little in spite of herself. “I don’t suppose I can really argue with that.” When they got off the phone, Madelyn poured herself a large mug of black coffee and got to work. She had some research to do, because she wasn’t about to go to Enzo’s house empty-handed.