Book 4 - Page 98 (1/2)

I knocked on her open door, relieved when she looked up at me and smiled widely.

“Niall!” She stood, making her way around her desk to give me a firm hug. Maggie had never been a hand-shaker, but with determination had trained me over the years to give in to her affections.

When she pulled back, I asked, “I was hoping you’d have a few moments?”

“Of course.” She smiled. “Your email did make me curious with its complete lack of detail.”

“And . . .” I began, “if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, we could grab a coffee?”

Her eyebrows rose, eyes twinkled with interest. “It sounds like this is not a strictly professional call?”

“It’s not. But . . . it is, too.” Sighing, I explained, “I’d just prefer the flexibility.”

She laughed, retrieving her jumper. “Well, this is a shock of a lifetime. A personal discussion with Niall Stella. I can certainly make time for that.”

We walked to a small café on Pembroke Street, using the trip to catch up a bit on the past two years. The topic of Ruby’s future hung heavily around me, and despite Maggie’s best efforts at small talk, my answers to her benign questions were tight and brief. I was relieved when we reached the café and ordered tea and croissants, before sitting at a small corner table.

“So,” she started, smiling across the table at me. Steam curled up from her cup. “Enough small talk, I gather. What’s this visit about?”

“It’s about a student who has applied to your program, who was an intern at Richardson-Corbett.”

She nodded. “You mean Ruby Miller.”

“Yes,” I said, surprised that she knew immediately whom I meant, but then realizing I’d said “who was an intern.” Clearly, Maggie had read Tony’s letter. “I didn’t work directly with her. As you know, she reported to Tony.”

“I got his letter,” she confirmed with a frown. “He didn’t think all that highly of her.”

My blood ran hot and I leaned closer, realizing as soon as she glanced at them that my hands had formed tight fists. “Well, that’s just it,” I said. “I think he may have thought rather too highly of her.”

“b.l.o.o.d.y Tony.” Maggie’s expression cleared in comprehension. “And you were the distraction Tony mentioned.”