“No, ma’am. I don’t want any trouble. Made him think it was just a mistake.”
I used to like the building supervisor. I didn’t then. But Curran? Him I liked very much. What I didn’t like was what he had to say when he called me that night. “Another group of badges will be watching you this week, Tess.”
“Are you going back on patrol?”
I thought it was an innocent question, but I sensed that terrible awkwardness, even though I couldn’t see him. “No. I just have shit to do that needs to get done.”
“Will I see you at all?” I hope I didn’t sound as desperate as I thought.
“Probably not. Like I said, I have a lot that needs doin’.”
“All right. Be safe….”
“Are you all right, Contessa?” Declan asks, bringing me back to the moment.
I place the phone in my purse. “Yes. I’m fine. Do you need me to work on anything for you?”
“Nothing right now. Why don’t you take a break? Come back in twenty.”
“All right.” I stand, slowly, wishing I’d brought my case studies to review. God, I’m so behind on my schoolwork. “Please call me if you need anything sooner. You have the number, correct?”
Declan smiles, lifting the file closest to him. “Yes. I’ll see you in a few.”
I leave Declan’s office, taking my time since I don’t really have anyplace to go. My first instinct is to return to the law library, but unless I’m in need of a legal journal, I avoid the library at all costs. Attorneys are competitive by nature, but since my being appointed to the Montenegro case, the other law clerks have flat out shunned me. I suppose it’s better to be ignored than to be insulted, but I can’t say their behavior doesn’t upset me.
Declan told me that three more assistant DA positions will be available this fall. Two are a result of retirement, and one is due to an attorney who wants to stay at home with her children. If the other clerks are aware of the opening, it could explain why they’re behaving like cutthroats.
Or asshats, as Curran would say.
I’ll be honest. I want one of those spots and hope to apply for it when I graduate in May. The one in the Trial Unit could give me the litigation experience I need. Although I’ve won several mock trials throughout law school, it doesn’t compare to trying a real criminal case.
Hmm. While the starting salary is minimal compared to one at a large firm, I enjoy working here. The detectives, DAs, and staff are extremely dedicated to the public sector. Not to mention that since I escaped the confines of the law library, they’ve been very nice to me, and treat me like I belong.
I think about what it would be like to work here as I drift down the back stairwell and head courtside. And the more I consider it, the more I hope it will somehow happen.
The sheriff’s officers at the security point wave me through. I smile and thank them, but they don’t smile back. Instead, they exchange glances as if they’re expecting something I’m not aware of.
Since I can’t interrupt them to ask, I keep going, although a sense of unease fills me. I try to shake it off and head toward Judge Bronson’s chambers, hoping Simon has some news regarding the Montenegro hearing.
Once more, screaming emanates from courtroom thirteen. I hurry out of the way as the sheriff on guard barks into his radio and an army of deputies swarm the courtroom door. He motions me to the hall that leads to chambers. “Stay here, Connie,” he says. “Too much shit going down.”
There is, so obviously now isn’t the time to tell him my name isn’t Connie.