Page 7 of Hart of Vengeance
I nodded. “With all due respect, I would expect that question if I was a lawyer.”
He chuckled. “Fair enough. I like to know the person who’s working for me. It tells me a little about his or her character.”
I couldn’t argue with him and didn’t exactly want to either. “It depends.”
He steepled his hands in front of him. “Oh? Tell me more.”
“Honestly, I know little about the law. Well, that’s not true. My sister is in prison.” I’d researched unarmed robbery and how long her sentence could be. The judge had been lenient with her since she was a first-time offender, sending her to jail for three years.
His eyes twitched, but he said nothing.
“I believe everyone, guilty or innocent, deserves a fair trial and a good lawyer.”
He was quick with a response. “What’s your idea of a good lawyer?”
I couldn’t tell from his blank expression if he liked my answer or not, but I was telling the truth. Savannah’s court-appointed attorney had fought hard for her, and if it weren’t for him, the judge might not have been as easy on her as he had been.
“A bulldog is the best term I can come up with. A lawyer should know the law inside and out, and whether or not the client is guilty, he or she deserves your best foot forward. At least then if the client goes to jail, they can say their attorney did all he could. Just my opinion.”
His elbow rested on the arm of the chair as he pressed two fingers to his lips. “Of course.” Then he opened the folder. “Jade, I lied. I do have another question for you. Why is your sister in prison?”
“She robbed a convenience store. But I want you to know I don’t have a criminal record. I’ve never been arrested.” The last part rushed out of me like a fast-moving river.
He was back to pressing two fingers against his lips, studying me.
I felt the need to squirm beneath his scrutiny. Instead I held my breath.
“Good to know. But the firm will do a background check on you nonetheless.”
Mallory had mentioned that very thing, and aside from Savannah’s indiscretions, which had nothing to do with me, I was squeaky-clean.
“Do you have any questions for me?” he asked.
“When can I start?” Mallory would be proud.
He regarded me for a long moment before removing his phone from his suit pocket.
Please, please let me get the job.
He tapped on the screen. “Let me look at my calendar to see when I’m in court.”
Once again, I held my breath, not yet sure if that meant I got the job.
“I would like to be here when you start. How about Monday? A week from today?”
I had the urge to fly over the table and hug him. Instead, I smiled. “That works for me.” Although I wanted to start sooner. Money was becoming tight.
Smoothing a hand over his tie, he stood. “Good. I’ll have Mallory prepare the paperwork, and I’ll see you on Monday.”
He escorted me down to the reception area, where Mallory was talking to Dina.
I beamed at Mallory. The giddiness inside me was ready to explode. I couldn’t believe it had been that easy. I almost pinched myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.
“Mallory, can you get things set up for Jade?” Kelton asked. “She’ll start on Monday.”
Mallory’s eyes popped wide. “Sure thing, sir. Anything else?” Mallory had also shared with me that she was filling in as Kelton’s temporary assistant.
He flashed his blue eyes at her. “Yeah. I’m expecting Dillon Hart in a few minutes. Can you escort him to my office when he gets here?”
