There were murmurs of agreement, and Rob Parekh stood up.
“Right,” he said. “That’s it. We’l meet as frequently as developments demand—Jim wil send you al a schedule, but let’s stay flexible, people—don’t be afraid to come to me or Jim immediately if you feel that something warrants attention. Remember, we’re working against the clock. And one more thing—public perception wil be a big part of this case. The outcome may come down to public or political pressure. Be careful about what you say and who you say it to. The prosecution isn’t above playing dirty tricks.”
HANNAH WENT BACK TO HER DESK WHEN THE MEETING
BROKE UP and Camila and Sean fol owed her there.
“Wel ,” Camila said. “Welcome to the team, I guess.” She looked pissed.
“Thank you,” Hannah said. She had to force herself not to say anything else, not to rush in with explanations and apologies for her sudden introduction to their little group.
“Yes,” said Sean. “Welcome.” His welcome was warmer, more sincere. He had an open, expressive face and he looked at her with interest. Hannah suppressed an inward shiver. Which was the bigger threat to her plans? Camila’s irritation or Sean’s curiosity?
“I suppose . . . should we get to work?” Hannah said.
“Parekh said to feed you. Let’s go to the bar.”
They took her to a little bar on Main Street that had comfortable booths and soft lighting. Sean and Camila ordered beers and burgers so Hannah did too.
“Fucking Hazel,” Camila said, as soon as the waiter left the table.
“Can you believe this? I mean, can you actual y believe this?”
Sean shook his head.
“What? You think it’s okay that she just walked?”
“I’m not saying it’s okay. I’m just saying that I understand it.”
Camila shook her head. “Wel , I don’t. What’s the rush? She made a commitment to the Project. She made a commitment to us, for that matter. It’s bul shit.”
“What happened?” Hannah asked. She should show interest.
Surely sitting there in silence would seem odd? “Why did she go?”
“She got an interview,” Camila said. “Like, literal y this morning.
Nine A.M. this morning she gets a phone cal from a New York firm tel ing her they want to see her next week, and by ten she’s in the office tel ing Parekh she’s out.”
“Come on, Camila,” Sean said. “You would have gone too. You wouldn’t hesitate.”
Camila had just taken a swig of beer. She widened her eyes at Sean, and swal owed. “I would not. Take it back.”
“Of course you would. So would I, if I didn’t already have a job lined up. So would anyone. We al need to work when this is over.
Right? We’re al going to have bil s to pay. So Hazel had to miss a few days next week. And the timing is bad. But Rob could have given her a break, right? He didn’t have to throw his toys out of the strol er and kick her off the project.”
“She knew before she even went to talk to him that that would happen. She knows what he’s like. We al do.”
“Sure,” said Sean. “She knew. That doesn’t make it her fault.”
“Hazel didn’t have to take the interview, Sean. She’s not like you and me. She has a rich daddy, so she doesn’t have to worry about paying her bil s, does she?”
Sean put his head to one side, looking at Camila and smiling as if to say We both know you’re talking shit, but keep going if it makes you feel better. “So you’re saying that because she could live off her father that she should?”
Camila was quiet for a moment. Then she picked up a beer mat and threw it at him. “Whatever.”
He laughed at her. He turned to Hannah. “Okay, Hannah, spil .
What’s your story?”
“My story?” Hannah said.
“Your story,” Sean nodded. He drank from his beer, swal owed, and gestured with his right hand. “I mean, where you came from, how you managed to get on the team. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone getting into the Project without jumping through al of the hoops. Camila and I applied midway through our first year and we had to sit for an interview and al of the rest of it.”
“Right,” Hannah said. “Wel , I’m only here for a semester. My mother is getting medical treatment in Richmond for the next few months. Cancer. She’s in a clinical trial at the hospital. We’l both be going back to Maine when the trial is over. I just wanted to be as close as possible to her while she’s in Virginia.”