Chapter 4
“I think you would make an interesting addition to the office, however the decision ultimately isn't up to me. Simon and his team, along with HR, get to pick the intern pool.” Jim McCraig observed Franky from across the table, gesturing slightly to the man at his right. “I only reserve the right to veto their choices.” He chuckled gently. For a man who was perhaps the most powerful prosecutor in the state, he seemed to like to make himself laugh as much as possible. Maybe it was the only way he could get through his daily advisories of what to do with the latest murderer or abduction.
Simon interjected, “We still have a few more candidates to go through but, you will receive a phone call from Virginia or myself of our decision within the week.” He smiled reassuringly. “What do you think Erica?”
The senior solicitor had been conspicuously silent through the interview, not fielding any questions and responding very minimally. Her role at this interview was solely as Franky's advocate, but she really had nothing to advocate for. Franky Doyle had cleaned up quite well for today. She spoke professionally and tried to keep the jokes at a minimum. Only CCP McCraig seemed to appreciate them, anyway. Erica had an excellent pokerface, but Franky liked to think that she may have gotten the senior solicitor to crack a smile.
Erica looked up from her legal pad. She had been trying to pretend to take notes. About what? What did she care if Franky was going to intern here? In the office where she worked. After spending years of distancing herself. She shook her head. She had hated seeing a therapist.
“I think Franky should have the opportunity to exercise what she's learned either here or elsewhere in a private practice.” She looked at Franky without smiling and continued, “She could do well anywhere if she puts her mind to it.”
Franky smiled meekly and shifted in her chair. “I do appreciate having you take the extra time to see me today.” She reached out to shake Simon's hand from across the table, as Jim and Virginia excused themselves, sending their good-byes and well wishes.
Erica collected her things. She knew she couldn't, rather shouldn't, make an Irish good-bye in front of Franky again this time. She waited until Simon was shuffling out (assuring him that she would lock up) to approach Franky as she, in turn, packed up.
“Glad to see that you're doing well.”
Franky considered Erica as she rose from the chair. She found that she had to slightly chortle as she asked her question. “Why are you here?” It was in a rather similar manner that they had begun their last and effectively final conversation. "I mean, obviously I know why, but I don't understand.”
“You used me as a reference.” Erica hesitated, “Didn't you think that I'd be somewhere you applied at? The world of law isn't that big. Public law is even smaller.”
“I needed one more person who knew my academic background.” Franky leered. She and Erica were now standing across from each other near the door. “I would've asked, but you never called. How would I have known?” She was able to keep it together during the interview, it hadn't been about what had happened between her and Erica. However, she knew she was still angry; it had just been seething below the surface. She found that it was much easier to be snide now that they were the only ones in the room.
“Franky...”
“Nah. You don't get to do that.” Franky dismissed her immediately. “I have to get to class. You want to finally talk, fine, but you're going to have to wait for me.” She opened the door to exit. “Thanks for putting in a good word, but really, fuck you.”
Erica cringed as the door slammed shut in front of her. She was alone, once again, with her back to a corner. Who could she really blame but herself?