The Empire State Cat’s Christmas Gift. Nic Tatano

skirt to the knee, practical heels, strand of pearls the only jewelry, pure old-school class. The kind of woman who wouldn’t be caught dead in a bikini or miniskirt even though she might have a killer body. Not stunning but attractive in a classic way. What you always refer to as quietly beautiful. Strong and independent, obviously in control. And the big one that really turns you on, she’s obviously smart and spunky as hell. Kicks ass and takes no prisoners. You have to agree the woman owned the courtroom. What she did to that witness probably violated the Patriot Act. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but she was tougher on a witness than you are, and you’re ruthless.”

      “I can’t believe I’m agreeing with you.”

      “Anyway, did I just describe your perfect woman?”

      “Okay, I admit I’m attracted to really smart women who are pretty but aren’t flashy. However, that’s a really broad brush.”

      “Ah, but the thing that drives all guys nuts…hair up and glasses. You fantasize that once the hair comes down and the glasses come off, she’s a hellcat in bed.”

      He couldn’t hold back a sly smile. “Hence the term, let your hair down. And I’ve found it to be true in most cases.”

      “What about women who never wear their hair up, like me?”

      “I plead the fifth on the grounds that I already love you. You’re the sister I never had.”

      “Good answer, Mister. Oooh, I almost forgot. Added to all that, she’s got another quality you can’t resist.”

      “What else?”

      “That scratchy, lives-in-a-smoky-bar whiskey voice. Demi Moore meets Lorraine Bracco meets Angie Harmon. Hell, if she ever got disbarred she could get a job with a phone sex company.”

      “Fine, I’ll give you that. Her voice was sexy as hell. Now can we get back to the case we have tomorrow? We’ve got a long night ahead of us already.”

      “Sure. But this is a lot more fun.” Ariel flashed a grin as their lunch order arrived. She picked up her fork and stabbed at a piece of salad. “Oh, before I forget, I wanted to run something by you. I have a possible case coming up with a man who…well…is pretty much a horrible person.”

      Spencer shrugged. “We represent a lot of people who are long way from being decent. Hey, unless he’s murdered someone, what’s the big deal?”

      “Yeah, but this one—”

      “Will the client’s checks bounce?”

      “No, he has extremely deep pockets.”

      “Well, then, I think that ends the discussion. We are in business to make money, after all.”

      Ariel nodded. “Hmm, that we are…”

      *

      Tish finished her research around six just as law school intern Brian Stevens entered her office. She reached over to pet Socks, who had claimed the corner of her desk as her own for the last several hours. “Hi, Brian. Meet your new assistant.”

      “Ah, this must be Socks.” The short, sandy-haired, third-year law student moved forward to pet the cat. “So, she actually saved your life, huh?”

      “Yep. I could sleep through an atomic bomb. If she hadn’t woken me up I’d be taking a dirt nap because the smoke alarm didn’t go off. I owe her big time.”

      “Well, I love cats and I’ll keep her company tonight. She’s in good hands.”

      “Thanks, Brian, I appreciate it.” Tish pointed to the round table on the other side of her office. “I’ve left all the stuff for the upcoming case over there. If you could finish by the end of the week that would be great.”

      “I’m on it and ahead of schedule.”

      “You sure this won’t interfere with your studying for the bar?”

      “I’m fine. Trust me, I know how to manage my time.”

      “Great, but if you need study time just let me know. Oh, all the cat supplies are in the closet if she needs anything. I’ve already put out plenty of food and water, so you’re good to go in that department. But do give her a handful of treats before you go. That’s been her usual bedtime snack.”

      He started to laugh. “Glad you don’t spoil her, Miss McKenna.”

      “Hey, she deserves every bit of it. She’s got nine lives and saved the only one I’ve got.”

      Three hours later Brian wrapped up his duties. He lifted Socks off his lap, as she had been there the entire time. “Okay, kitty, gotta go. Don’t mess with the paperwork.” He carried the cat to her bed under the desk and set her on it. She immediately curled up into a ball. “Night, Socks. See you tomorrow.”

       Socks raised her head as soon as the man closed the door. With all the attention she’d had today, there hadn’t been enough free time to thoroughly explore her new surroundings. The room wasn’t nearly as interesting as the one in which she’d been raised. But at least it was quiet. After all the commotion last night, she needed a peaceful sleep.

       But something captured her attention behind the bookcase, and being as curious as any other cat, she had to investigate. She easily fit between it and the wall and saw the open vent that was dimly lit, then heard a voice coming through it. Her ears perked up. It was not her person, but a male voice.

       She decided to follow it and entered the vent.

      A noise caught Spencer’s attention. He looked up from his notes and turned to Ariel. “You hear that?”

      “Your stomach growling? Yeah. Let’s head out for dinner.”

      “Not that. Something’s in the wall. Listen.” He cocked his head in the direction of the sound. “Aw, hell. Probably a damn rat. That’s all we need.”

      She turned her head toward the bookcase. “Yeah. It’s coming from over there. Well, it is New York City. Though I wouldn’t expect rats in this building.”

      Then they heard the meow and saw a cat emerge from behind the bookcase. “Well, I’ll be damned.” Spencer got up and crouched down next to the cat. “Where did you come from?” It meowed again and nuzzled his hand. Spencer noticed it had a red collar. “This isn’t a stray.”

      Ariel got up and looked behind the bookcase. “Oh, I see what happened. It obviously came through the vent. They must have forgotten to put the covers back on when they did all the remodeling on this floor last month. And since the bookcases are built-in, the vents are gonna stay open.”

      “I guess it’s somebody’s office cat.”

      “Someone has an office cat in the Empire State Building?”

      “Hey, why not?” He picked it up and looked at the collar, turning it all the way around to see if there was an ID tag. “There’s nothing to identify the owner. But obviously it’s gotta be someone on this floor.”

      “Sounds right. Can’t imagine a cat can climb up or down in a steel vent.”

      He looked at the cat. “You hungry, kitty?” It meowed.

      Ariel headed out the door. “I’ve got some cans of tuna in the break room. And milk for coffee. I’ll go get it.”

      Spencer sat down and put the cat on his lap, then started to stroke its soft fur. He was rewarded with a purr. “Y’know, an office cat is not a bad idea. So who do you belong to?”

      Ariel returned with some food for the cat, putting a saucer of milk and some tuna in a dish on the floor. “See if she’ll eat something.”

      Spencer put the cat near the food. It ate about half of the tuna, drank a little milk, then took off behind the bookcase. “Well, that was a quick visit. So much for trying to find