Life on the 50th floor settled back into routine more quickly than Michael could have anticipated. Few questions were asked about the departure of John and Ellen. Few were asked of him, anyway. He was fairly certain that Maggie would have told him if anyone was pressuring her for details. The truth was, most were content to see the pair gone. 

Maggie and Dan accompanied Michael to court for the Phillips case and the transition was seamless. A few weeks later the jury declared the retired football star ‘not guilty’. That Friday afternoon found them all gathered at Doc Watson’s. 

Michael toasted to his new team. “To Dan and Maggie, who’ve flawlessly picked up the slack.” 

As usual, one of Michael’s blondes, Delia this time, came to the pub to meet him, and they bid good weekend to everyone. Maggie had, of course, expected it this time, but felt the same pang nevertheless. I don’t know why he insists on dating these vapid women. 

Behind her cheerful smile, Michael noted a subtle glint of hurt in Maggie’s eyes as he said goodbye, and somehow it felt reassuringly familiar. When she stops looking at me like that, he realized, I’ll miss it. And they always did. The smart ones, anyway. He shook off the vestiges of deep introspection and headed off with Delia. The better to get laid, my dear. 

Maggie loved everything about her new office. It was absolutely beautiful, like a wish granted by a genie. She also didn’t mind passing along the coffee and lunch torch to someone else. She’d met briefly with Josh. “I created a procedure log of sorts,” she told him as she handed him a thick binder. “In this I’ve outlined establishments by category, coffee or lunch. Like Mr. Rannigan said, we support local business, so those are the only ones I’ve included.” 

Josh nodded, eager to prove himself as a part of the Rannigan team. “We order on a rotating basis. Don’t be afraid to bring in something new if you find something fabulous. Just keep track of what people like and what they don’t like. It’s really pretty easy.” 

Maggie was walking past the reception desk on her way back to her office when Karen held up a one finger ‘wait a minute’ signal. “Mm-hmm,” she said into the phone, “like I said, Mr. Rannigan is really not available, but let me transfer you to one of his associates, Ms. Flynn. One moment, please.” Karen put the caller on hold. “Maggie, this is a teacher from Kennedy High School. He’s looking for someone to speak to his pre-law club.” 

Maggie glanced at Michael’s closed door. “Why can’t Michael do it?” Karen sighed. “He hates that kind of thing. I’m transferring him to you.” In her own office, Maggie perched at her desk and picked up. “This is Maggie Flynn.”

“Hello, Ms. Flynn. My name is Joe Santiago. I teach history at Kennedy and I also run the Pre-Law Club. I was hoping Mr. Rannigan might come speak to the kids next week. I guess his secretary says he can’t do it.” 

Maggie smiled. We’ll see about that. “Exactly when did you want him?” 

“The club meets once a month. Our next meeting is a week from Thursday at 10:30. I realize that it’s short notice, but our original plans fell through. It would mean so much to the kids to have a guy like Mr. Rannigan come out. They’ve studied a lot of his cases. Congratulations, by the way, on the Phillips case.” 

“Thanks. Let me just...” Maggie pulled up Michael’s calendar on her screen and shook her head. There was absolutely nothing scheduled for next Thursday.

“Tell you what, Mr. ...” 

“Santiago,” he supplied, “or Joe, really.” 

“I will make sure that Mr. Rannigan will be there next Thursday at 10:30, Joe. Now what exactly did you want him to address?” 

“I just hoped he could talk about his perspective as a defense attorney, maybe give the kids a chance to ask some questions, that kind of thing,” Joe answered. 

Maggie scribbled notes on a scrap of paper. “Perfect. I’ll let him know, and we’ll see you next week.” 

“I really appreciate your help, Ms. Flynn. I was beginning to think I’d have to cancel.” 

“You’re very welcome. And I’m Maggie.” She disconnected and sat grinning for a moment. Now to inform Michael. But first, she made another call. 

Ten minutes later she breezed into Michael’s office. He glanced up from his paperwork. “What can I do ya for, Mags?” 

She gave him her most winning smile. “I made an appointment for you for next week.” 

Michael removed his reading glasses and set them on the desk. “Oh?” he responded cautiously. 

“Next Thursday at 10:30, you are addressing the Kennedy High School Pre-Law Club.” 

Michael scowled. “Aw, Mags, you didn’t. Dammit, I hate that shit. Why did you do that?” 

“Because it’s the right thing to do. Reach out to the public. Enlighten young minds.” 

He shook his head. “Bullshit.” 

“And, Channel 6 News will be there. Brilliant legal mind lends hand up to the next generation!” She emphasized the headline with a wave of her hand. 

Michael smiled ruefully. “You called the news, too? You play dirty.”

“And don’t you forget it!” she grinned.

At 10:15 Thursday morning, Maggie and Michael signed in on the visitors’ computer in the office of Kennedy High School. The school secretary asked a student assistant to direct the pair to Mr. Santiago’s classroom. 

“It’s right this way.” Michael turned his full wattage smile toward the waif-thin blonde who giggled nervously, never once glancing at Maggie. 

Maggie rolled her eyes. Seriously? 

They were met by Joe Santiago, a tall, fit guy of around thirty, with longish dark waves that just brushed the top of his collar. Thin silver rectangles framed bright blue eyes beneath long dark lashes. 

Not bad, Maggie thought. But the truth was that no one quite measured up. She glanced briefly at Michael, thankful he couldn’t read her thoughts. She was reasonably certain he couldn’t, at any rate. 

“Thank you so much for coming, Mr. Rannigan,” the teacher said, reaching to shake Michael’s hand. 

“Happy to do it,” Michael charmed as Maggie smirked privately. “This is Maggie Flynn, my associate.” 

Maggie shook Joe’s hand. “We met on the phone.” 

A bell rang and noisy chaos in the corridor was replaced by a group of about twenty-five students ling in and taking their seats. A photographer from the television news arrived and Joe got the meeting started. 

“Gang, this is Mr. Michael Rannigan from the law firm of Murphy, Rannigan, and Metheny. He has graciously agreed to visit us today.” 

“Hey, Mr. S,” a student called out. “Who’s the hot redhead?” 

Michael chuckled. “This is Ms. Flynn. She works with me.” He shot Maggie an amused look. “I am a defense attorney. As you know, that means...” 

Michael talked nonstop for forty minutes, holding his audience enthralled. When he finished, he answered questions from the students. After the session was over and the students left, the photographer asked Michael and Joe a few questions on camera before he headed back to the station. Michael shook hands with Joe once again. 

“Thank you so much for coming,” he said. Looking to Maggie, “I’m sorry for the rude question.” 

Maggie smiled. “No worries,” she said. “I thought it was funny.” 

As she and Michael walked out into the crisp December day, she turned to him. “How about lunch, my treat?” 

“Your treat, hunh?” he asked, feigning deep thought. 

“Yes. I just got a big fat raise, you know.”