Share
Chapter 22: That Awkward Moment
Related chapters
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 23: In Court
Chapter 23: In CourtBeing in court was a revelation. Although Maggie had seen videos of Michael at work as a litigator, watching him in person completely upped the ante. Michael was a master at moving people, at helping them arrive at the destination he had in mind. At turns, he charmed them with his looks and self-deprecating wit, then challenged them with common sense and laser-sharp knowledge of the law. Maggie watched with rapt attention, taking copious notes.In addition to her notes and briefs, she had a file of all the depositions, having printed them out for herself. That probably had been overkill, all the information was in the briefs, but she'd done it anyway. Better safe than sorry, she'd thought.Ronald "Rowdy" Larson was an up-and-coming tennis star who'd been involved in a drunken bar brawl that had resulted in one man having permanent damage to his vision. In addition to the criminal trial, there would be a civil trial in which the victim would seek damages to t
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 24: Victory Celebration?
Chapter 24: Victory Celebration?When court reconvened, Michael called Daryl Whittaker to the witness stand. He walked the bouncer through the events of the evening in question, and the man verified what he'd previously stated in his deposition. Rowdy was talking to some fans at a table on the far side of the establishment, far away from the bar where the fight began. At the exact moment the victim was punched, the tennis star had posed for a selfie with Whittaker. The photo with the time stamp was introduced into evidence. The prosecution wasn't happy, but Whittaker had been on the witness list all along. They hadn't bothered to call him because he didn't help their case.At 3:15 the jury began their deliberations and at 4:50 they returned a verdict of acquittal. John and Ellen left immediately after Rowdy was released. On the courthouse steps, Michael and Rowdy paused to address the reporters gathered there hoping for a sound bite in time for the six o'clock news. Michael di
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 25: Mixed Signals
Chapter 25: Mixed SignalsThe following Monday, Michael occupied himself following up on business that he hadn't had time to do, having spent four days in court the previous week. There were no court appearances slated for the week, and he was just as glad to spend his days in the office returning phone calls and meeting with clients. There were some initial depositions scheduled for upcoming cases but anymore, Michael left that kind of thing to associates like Ellen and John. His real passion was litigation; he left the legwork to a few trusted others. There were perks to being a founding partner.He was at his desk attending to some pressing e-mail correspondence, but his thoughts drifted. He'd seen Maggie briefly at the morning meeting. After she'd set up coffee, she sat and took notes as everyone discussed the upcoming week. She'd greeted him as usual, contributed during the meeting, laughed and joked with the others. As soon as the meeting was over, she'd scooted off to ta
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 26: Defining Her Deal
Chapter 26: Defining Her DealHaving risen early for a Saturday, Maggie stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror as she reached for the bottle of ibuprofen. It was the day after Michael's date had met him at Doc's. The dark circles under her eyes weren't the only souvenirs of last night. Her head pounded, and the idea of eating anything caused her stomach to roil. She slammed a pair of the orange pills, washed them down with tap water, and padded into the living room.While she waited to feel human again, she flopped down on the couch and clicked on the television. A pretty blonde was giving the weekend weather forecast on the local news. It looked as though the temperatures would be mild for early October. When had they stopped showing cartoons on Saturday mornings?Following the weather update was a report about the Larson trial. Suddenly, there was a tight shot of Michael, giving his speech about appreciating the jurors and his client's wishes for the victim. Maggi
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 27: What She Overheard
Chapter 27: What She Overheard"Come on, Dave," Michael crooned into the phone, "there has to be a way for us to plea this thing. You and I both know…" His train of thought was momentarily derailed as his door opened and Maggie entered his office. Dammit, I told Karen I was on the phone. The expression on Maggie's face changed his attitude immediately. She was pale and wild-eyed, gripping her leather folio as though it were a lifeline and she was in danger of drowning in a storm-tossed sea. He frowned. "Look, Dave, I'll have to call you back."Replacing the phone, he crossed to her. "What's up, Mags?"She blinked a couple of times and licked her lips anxiously. "I…well it's just…""Come on, sit down," he said, guiding her to the black leather couch. He sat in a matching chair at an angle to her. "What's going on?" he asked softly.Maggie put down her folio on the coffee table in front of the couch, then clutched her hands together. "I was putting away books and I overheard
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 28: Enough Rope
Chapter 28: Enough RopeThe following day, Michael called together the team working on the Phillips case. Maggie, John, and Ellen met at the conference table in his office. Joining them was Stan Hodges. "I wanted fresh eyes to look over everything," Michael explained as he welcomed Stan. They spent a good hour and a half going over witnesses and the order in which they would be called, evidence that would be introduced, and predicting the prosecution's strategies."Now, John looked over some documents for me. What did you find?" Michael asked.John slid him the folder. "I eliminated a lot of unnecessary stuff, Michael." He glanced at Maggie. "Sometimes it's hard to determine what's really important. With a little experience, you learn to weed out the extraneous, focus on the vital."Michael flipped through the folder which was considerably thinner than when he'd given it to John the previous day. He looked up at Maggie and saw her lips pressed together, a pink flush creeping
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 29: You think you're pretty smart, don't you?
Chapter 29: "You think you're pretty smart, don't you?"Maggie pushed the last cartload of books into the library. In another hour and a half, she'd be on her way to meet Ben at the airport. Five o'clock couldn't come soon enough. She was still feeling stressed out by the morning's meeting. It would be great to relax with Casey and the gang over the long weekend. She thought about her small suitcase stowed in the corner of her office and smiled. She didn't even have to go home."You think you're pretty smart, don't you?"Maggie whirled around to see John leaning against a table just inside the library. Ellen closed the double doors and stood in front of them, arms crossed. John had that intense look on his face she remembered from their last encounter in this room. She pulled herself as tall as she could, affecting confidence she didn't feel. "I just tried to be thorough, that's all," she answered, pushing past him to pick up more books."Little Miss NYU, always trying to be
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 30: Fallout
Chapter 30: FalloutMichael turned to John and Ellen, speaking in an impossibly calm voice. "Let me tell you how this is going to go. You two will resign, effective immediately. I already have the paperwork drawn up. All you have to do is sign. You will leave the building and never return."John smirked at Michael. "What makes you think we're going to sign anything? You have no idea what happened here. Your girl attacked me. Ellen can tell you." He looked at Ellen, who seemed less sure of herself."I know exactly what happened here. It's all recorded on security video. Smile for the cameras, John." He pointed to the corner. John looked momentarily surprised. Then he turned to Michael. "You recorded us without our knowledge? You know that's not admissible in court.""I have you on video threatening to rape your colleague. Do you think your wife will care if it's admissible in court?" He addressed the security guards. "Keep them here. I'll be right back."Michael ret
Latest chapter
- Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 131: Epilogue
- Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 130: So Typically Michael
- Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 129: Heartbroken
- Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 128: Michael's Journey
- Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 127: Michael's Family By Choice
- Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 126: Familymoon
- Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 125: Michael, Back in the Saddle
- Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 124: Custody Issues
- Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 123: Engaged
