Chasing The Dead

Chapter Forty-Three

Alex walked down the hall to Robin’s office. Meg Adler was there, packing up Robin’s personal possessions, depositing her photographs of family and friends into a cardboard box. Buried on Sunday. Expunged on Tuesday. She cringed at how swiftly the world left the dead behind.

“What are you doing?”

Though it was obvious and Alex knew it had to be done, she had to ask, registering a small protest with her question, clinging to Robin however she could.

Meg looked up. “We need this office. I called Robin’s oldest, Donny. He seems to be the one handling things for the family. I asked him what he wanted us to do with Robin’s things and he said to box them up and send them to the house.”

Alex nodded. “I can drop them off.”

“That would be great. Have a seat. There’s something I want to talk with you about.”

Alex took a chair across from Robin’s desk. “What’s up?”

“They want me back in St. Louis next Monday.”

“Okay. Is the director sending in another interim?”

“She’d like to avoid that. We’re short staffed in every office as it is. But she has to conduct a search to fill the position and that’s going to take some time.”

“So what’s the plan?”

Meg smiled. “The director would like you to be the interim.”

Alex’s jaw dropped. “Me? Are you kidding? I’m a trial lawyer, not an administrator.”

“So was Robin before she started running this office. Turns out that Robin was planning on retiring at the end of the year and she’d already recommended you as her replacement. I’ve talked to everyone around here, and they’d like to see you in the job.”

Meg’s offer came at Alex faster than she could process it, as if she was hearing part of the discussion instead of getting the big picture. She was flattered but didn’t like that Meg had floated her name without her permission, making her feel like she was trapped.

“You asked them before you asked me if I was even interested? What if I’m not? If I say no, everyone will think I let them down, and if the new boss is a jerk, they’ll blame me for not taking the job.”

“It wasn’t like that at all. My first day here, I said I was going to talk to everyone to get a feel for the office. I asked them what kind of person they wanted to run the show and whether there was anyone they’d recommend. I never suggested you because I didn’t want to bias what they told me, but you were the clear favorite. I would have asked you too, but you’ve been pretty scarce.”

Alex stood and looked out the window, past the office towers, past the Missouri River, past the horizon. Her life had never been more unsettled, and Meg’s offer had knocked one more pin out from under her.

“I don’t know what to say.”

Meg joined her at the window, putting her hand on Alex’s shoulder. “Say that you’ll do it. And say that you’ll apply for the permanent position. That will make the search go a lot faster and reassure the lawyers and the staff.”

Alex forced a weak smile. More pressure, just what she needed.

“Can I think about it for a few days?”

“Of course. Let me know by Friday. If you’re not interested, I have to tell St. Louis that I’m staying and then I have to go buy more underwear. And you might as well take that box. I’m done with it.”