Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
"I wouldn't want to be in a situation where my name or picture is provided to anyone who can access it publicly."
Diego watches me a moment longer, but I don't feel scrutiny in his eyes.
I watch as he looks over at Max, and although I can't see a change in his face, something unspoken happens between the two of them. Diego seems a little softer when he looks back at me.
"We have a fundraiser at the park every year," he says. "We don't advertise the shelter as being a part of it. We simply hand out information when someone is looking and set up games and other activities for the kids. Every outreach organization in town is a part of it. Schools, libraries, clubs, various organizations, book clubs, crafting circles, etc. We have an agreement with the local newspaper that they do not share pictures or videos of our booth and the people working it. They've never once broken that trust. Would this be something you're opposed to?"
"We can't guarantee that people in the community don't take pictures," Shadow adds before I can answer.
"If I'm hired, would I have the chance to test the atmosphere before making that decision?" I ask rather than answer one way or the other.
"Of course," Diego says. "We'd never put staff or residents, for that matter, in an avoidable situation that would make them uncomfortable. Residents do not attend this fundraiser, only staff."
"Then I'd like the opportunity to make that decision at a later date. I can't think of anything offhand at the moment that would be an automatic no for me other than court appearances."
"Would you be able to be on call some nights, able to come to the shelter if there's a staffing issue?" Morrison asks.
"Of course," I answer quickly before thinking it through. "If that request came from a legitimate source."
"Are you able to lead different education groups?"
I smile at Diego. "That's one of my favorite parts of working in a shelter."
"What about trauma-informed play activities for kids?" he asks.
I dip my head. "Of course."
"You said no court appearances," Morrison begins. "What about conversations, either through emails or on the phone with prosecutors?"
I shake my head immediately. "I'd like to avoid any situation where it's a requirement for my name to be recorded in any system."
"We won’t require you to use your real name, Juliet," Diego says with an emphasis on my current name.
"All the same," I say, giving them a small smile as if it softens the refusal. "I don't want to be in that position."
"Understood," Diego says.
Max continues typing, but I get the feeling he is paying just as much attention to this conversation as the other guys. They haven't asked for my other aliases, and it makes me wonder if I haven't covered my tracks enough that he can easily find exactly who I've been for the last twelve years. If he can, then I know it's something that Graham would be able to do as well, and it makes me feel less safe, not that I've ever felt safe since I went on the run.
"Any plans to finish law school?" Morrison asks.
I shake my head. "It would require me going back to my old life, or at a minimum dipping my toes back in. Name changes can be tracked, and that would be required for me to keep my license."
"Understood," Morrison says. "A formal education isn't required for this position. I was just curious."
"We have other volunteers in the community who have those qualifications," Diego adds.
I give him a weak smile, grateful that they seem so understanding, but I can't help but look at the third guy sitting across from me. He hasn't said a single word since I entered the room, and it makes me wonder why he's in here to begin with.
"You keep using the word volunteer," I hedge, a little uneasy, but the question has to be asked. "I just want to make sure that this is a paid position."
Diego and Morrison both smile.
"Yes, it is. Salary starts at fifty-seven," Diego says.
My eyes widen. That pay is unheard of in this field for someone working at a shelter and not being part of the management team.
"But with your experience, you're probably looking closer to sixty-five," Diego continues.
The possibilities of what that could mean for me race through my head. I could easily feed my nest egg with that kind of money. It would mean the next time I have to move, I'd be in a much better position than I was this last time.
It seems almost too good to be true, and that sets an alarm bell off in my head, the day's events rushing back to me. The security at the shelter, the armed guard at the gate, the dog sniffing around my car.
If these were legit and good guys, why so much security? Who do good guys have to worry about hurting them, especially in a community they claim to give so much back to?