“You honestly think so?”
“I know so. I base my judgments on facts, not feelings.” Jane had been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome as a child. Some would say she had blunted emotions, but she preferred to think of herself as reserved and intellectual. “You have a bright future ahead of you.”
“Thank you, Jane.” Georgia beamed. “So, any other plans for the night? Besides meetin’ bachelors 1 and 2?”
“Judge Hunter asked me to stop by when I got done with work.” Jane straightened her jacket.
“You could call him Dad.”
“He’s a federal judge, and it wouldn’t be appropriate.” Jedidiah Hunter was a justice on the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas.
“Every now and then, you should do somethin’ inappropriate—like Byron Beauregard. At least think about it while you’re over there tonight.”
“And on that note….” Jane stalked out the door.
***
“Want some water?”
Twenty minutes later, Jane was seated in Jedidiah Hunter’s chambers at the federal courthouse. As a child, his office had fascinated her, and it still did.
It was luxurious by any standard—red damask curtains on the windows, a Persian rug, and even a private bathroom. Near the wall stood a statue of Cicero, a famous Roman lawyer and orator. The inscription on the pedestal read, abundans cautela non nocet—abundant caution does no harm.
The mahogany bookshelves held weighty tomes on the law. Jane had read far above her grade level, and she used to pore over them, drinking in the knowledge while she waited for her father to get done with court.
“Jane?”
Jed had poured chilled water into a tumbler, but she could discern the oily outline of his fingertips on the surface of the glass. Disgusting. She had OCD tendencies and they’d always served her well at work—her files were meticulous.
“No, thank you.”
“Suit yourself, honey.”
Jed sat down behind his massive desk. He had short silver hair, dark brown eyes, and gold square-framed glasses. As soon as he’d walked into his chambers, he’d removed his black judge’s robe, leaving him in a blue three-piece suit.
“You wanted to see me?”
“Heard about an openin’ at Devonshire Law School, and I thought you might be interested. I know the chancellor, and I could put in a good word for you.”
I don’t have time for this today.
Jed had been trying to push her into areas surrounding the law ever since she’d told him she intended to go to law school—legal research and scholarship, even legal journalism. Although, to his credit, he’d helped her as a law student, securing a clerking position for her and using his connections after Jane graduated to help her get a position as an assistant district attorney.
“I’m happy with my current employment, thank you very much.”
He pursed his lips, and she knew he was gathering his thoughts. Jed seldom spoke off the cuff, one of the things she really appreciated about him.
“You have an exceptional mind, and they’re wastin’ your talent.”
“You’ve made your feelings on this subject clear.” Jed wasn’t exactly thrilled she’d become a defense attorney. And he insisted on telling her about every job opening he came across.
“You’re chasin’ status when you should be pursuing your passions. I think you’d make a damn fine instructor.”
“Is this why you wanted to meet? We could’ve done this over email.”
“We both know you would’ve deleted it.”
Jane smiled. “Perhaps.”
“Should I send along your résumé then? Just to keep your options open.”
“Nice try, but no thank you. I’m not interested.”
“Can’t blame a father for trying. Your talents would be better suited to somethin’ meaningful.”
While he wasn’t her biological father, they both had the same Hunter pride. And she’d learned to stand on her own by watching him. Jane had deliberately gone against him, taking the opposition route for personal reasons.
“I am. Defense attorneys are a vital part of the legal process.”
“But does your work excite you?” Jed leaned forward, sizing her up with what she’d dubbed his judge stare—the one which made defendants nervous. “Are you rarin’ to go when you wake up in the mornin’?”
Jane liked the perks of her job, but she didn’t rhapsodize about it. She had a nice car, a good apartment, and a spacious office. At first, Jane assumed she’d be helping clients who’d found themselves in a jam, people like her birth mother. The reality of helping the firm’s wealthy clientele wriggle out of legal trouble was a letdown.