The St. Paul Conspiracy by Roger Stelljes

him and took a sip. “Quick service.”
    “Helps when my cousin’s waiting on the table.”
    Kennedy took a long drink. “I like the dark stuff. Especially if I’m only going to have one or two.”
    “Exactly,” Mac replied. “If I have any more than three or four of these, I start getting full. I’ll usually switch over to vodka tonics or something.” Mac took a drink and a long look at Kennedy. “I couldn’t help but thinking that you and I met before?”
    “We have.”
    “Where?”
    She smiled, and it was a nice smile. “Law School. William Mitchell. I knew who you were at the U of M because I went to the hockey games, but you’d remember me from Billy Mitch.”
    Mac connected instantly. “That’s right! Now, I remember. We had a class or two together, I think, maybe third year?”
    “Yes, I think that’s right. Stiffs and Gifts perhaps?” That was Estates and Trusts to most people.
    “Could be.” Mac nodded.
    “I remember seeing you over at Billy’s on occasion as well. I think with your wife.”
    “Yeah, I was married back then.” Mac replied.
    Kennedy sighed, “If it’s any consolation, detective, I’ve been divorced a year myself.”
    “Ahhh. So, I have joined elite company?” Mac replied ruefully.
    That caused Kennedy to smile. “Why, yes, detective, yes you have.”
    Mac raised a mock toast, “To the newly divorced, and you can call me Mac. Everybody does.”
    “Well, then, cheers, Mac. Call me Sally.” They clinked beers.
    “Sally, let’s talk shop.”
    “Good idea, but where’s your partner?”
    “Lich? He stopped in briefly, but I think he went home. He’s in the newly divorced club as well, and not for the first time, either.”
    “Man, marriage—not exactly a solid institution is it?”
    “Oh, I don’t know. There’re lots of people who make it work. I’m just glad we didn’t have kids. How about you?”
    “Kids? No, although it’s probably what led to the end of things. He was ready. I wasn’t. We had a big blow-up about it, but I refused. Few days later, I come home to find he’s cleaned out his part of the closet and dresser. Said he was staying at a hotel. Couple of weeks later, I got papers from his lawyer and, as they say, the rest is history.”
    “I remember now, you were married when we were in law school, weren’t you?”
    “Yeah, my ex was a year ahead of me. We’re both lawyers. He figured he could continue with his career, and I’d stay home and be the happy homemaker. I was the prosecutor, in a government job making 50 K and he’s up for partner in Fitzgerald and Bush, making 150 K. We didn’t need my salary, so I should just stay home.” Kennedy shook her head. Mac could relate to a spouse who didn’t value a job where one served the public good.
    Mac’s food came just then. He took a bite of the sandwich. “You haven’t always been a prosecutor in Ramsey County, though, have you?”
    “No. Just came over in the last couple of months. I was over in Minneapolis, with Hennepin County,” Sally replied, taking a pull from her beer. “Thing was, I kept running into my ex over there. He tries a number of cases. Knows the judges. I knew the judges. Too many rumors going around. Then he started seeing another lawyer I saw all the time, and it got to be a bit much. Ramsey County had a position open, and here I am. But enough about me.” Sally’s voice went quiet. “Let’s talk Mason Johnson.”
    “Okay. What happens when Senator Johnson comes in?”
    “You mean if he comes in?” Kennedy responded.
    “Oh, he’ll be coming in. Question is, how he’ll do it. Voluntarily or involuntarily.”
    “What makes you think he’ll do it voluntarily?”
    “If I was him, I’d want to get in front of this, especially if I’m innocent, which I’m sure he’ll claim to be.” Kennedy furrowed her brow. “You disagree?” Mac asked.
    “I’m not sure. I see what you’re saying. He’d look better if he came in to help.” Kennedy took a