Page 31 of Hunt Me
I hadn’t asked. I didn’t need to know. They hadn’t been first on my list, but I was at the point of accepting any position offered.
I shifted from foot to foot, trying to be patient even when it wasn’t even in my repertoire. Even though everyone considered me shy, I was a go-getter and always had been, determined to force my way into any situation if it benefitted my future. Maybe that’s why I’d enjoyed the competition more than most. What I’d never done was be reckless in any situation, always playing it safe.
Another reason my behavior on Saturday night had been so out of character for me.
After another full two minutes, I’d had enough. His rudeness wasn’t acceptable and told me a great deal about his company. Just when I was prepared to turn and leave, he cleared his throat.
“Sit, Ms. Rork.”
I almost retorted, but bit my tongue, easing into the chair opposite his deck. He waited for another full minute. Now I was perspiring buckets.
“Tell me why you’d make a good fit for this company.”
He was really starting with the good fit aspect? It was the one part of the interview I dreaded the most and since I’d been lambasted by eight companies so far for not being the perfect fit, I was leery of answering.
When I didn’t answer right away, he turned around to face me. His expression was wary, already judgmental. There was also keen recognition in his eyes. I’d seen that before since my father had ruffled more than his share of feathers on his way to winning the mayoral election. As he had told me more than once, he was determined to clean up the riffraff in the city.
I tried not to appear unnerved, even plastering the practiced smile on my face. As with any career, acting was merely a part of the job, pretending to be something you weren’t or displaying confidence necessary.
But in the world of law when criminals were often more cunning than given credit for, lawyers were required to appear unmoved at all times. This was just a test of my resolve and chutzpa. I was up to the task.
“I think I’d be an excellent fit for Jenkins, Riley, and Smith because I’m tenacious. I refuse to allow any stone to go unturned, never allowing my nerves to get the best of me. First, I take ethics seriously so I can’t be swayed by incorrect facts or attempts at extortion as two of your previous attorneys found themselves involved in. I’m also well versed in state and local ordinances, which is also key to the needs of any corporation with a brick-and-mortar facility. As attorneys, we must be able to protect our clients under duress, providing the best possible care while keeping to the letter of the law.”
I’d only told a single little white lie. I’d glanced over a few development ordinances since a few of their clients wereland developers turned resort owners. While there was a list of reputable clients on their website, I’d heard through the grapevine that the less scrupulous clients were kept secret for fear of ruining their reputation.
Every speech was different, every answer catered to the practice. I could tell instantly I’d struck a nerve.
“Everyone has at least one weakness, Ms. Rork. Those who excel in our industry are those who know when to cut their losses and when to use those traits to their benefit.”
I was surprised by his answer and I could swear the man was goading me. Why?
“I understand, Mr. Jenkins. However, it’s also important to rely on the strengths brought to the table, especially strength of character.”
“Now I’m curious, Ms. Rork. How do you feel about walking the fine line between right and wrong, or in other words, riding the gray area of the law?”
This was in direct contrast to my father, who’d been the first to teach me there was truly no gray area.
I’d researched the clients his firm represented, many of them corporate moguls, the kind of people who had enemies simply because they were successful. Was he trying to tell me resorting to unscrupulous methods of representing the firm’s clients was necessary? That went against everything I’d been taught and what had been ingrained deep within.
“The law is clear, Mr. Jenkins. It’s very black and white. There is no gray area.” My father would be proud.
I had no clue from his expression whether I’d blown the interview.
He chuckled. “Good answer, Ms. Rork. I like your style and perhaps you’re right.” He walked from around his desk, studying me intently. “You have an impressive resume, including clerking with Judge Daniels in Connecticut for a summer.”
Judge Daniels was often considered a cruel man to his employees as well as the criminals who walked into his courtroom. I’d found him fair and what I’d learned in the few months I’d worked for him had been priceless.
“He was an excellent teacher of all things fair and reasonable.”
Mr. Jenkins continued studying me and I could tell he’d already made up his mind. “Yes, but before he was a judge his lack of empathy for his clients led him to the loss of a seven-figure salary.”
Was he gaslighting me? Or simply trying to determine if I was driven by greed or my oath to the law? I had a feeling it wasn’t the latter.
“He was a generous man, Mr. Jenkins, giving of his time and knowledge. In my mind, he was extremely wealthy.” His smile upon hearing my words sent a shiver down my spine. He’d simply brought me in as a curiosity.
“That sounds like something our good mayor would say.”
Bingo. I took a deep breath, glancing out the window while fisting my hands. I had no catchy comeback. Defending my father’s honor wasn’t going to win me any points.
