Page 16 of Feared

“I have to think about that, but I don’t think so.” John hesitated. “They asked why I wanted to leave, so I had to give the reason.”

Bennie folded her arms. “Did you give all of them that reason?”

“No, only Hunter.”

“And how do you know that?”

“Because I was most interested in Hunter. They needed to fill a position on a new antitrust matter, and that appealed to me. So we talked in more depth.”

“With whom did you interview, do you remember? I know most of those guys.”

“Sure, Mark Jacobowitz.”

Bennie looked as if she were about to say something, then kept it to herself, but Mary knew how upset she would be inside. John’s statement not only damaged their case, it embarrassed all of them. Even Mary hated to think that John would say that about her, around town. It wasn’t true, and she knew tons of people in the legal community. Her reputation mattered, especially in Philly.

Bennie continued, “So Mark’s the one you made the comment to. You’re not sure if you said it to anybody else?”

“I don’t think I did.”

“Did you interview with anyone at Hunter besides Mark?”

“Yes, an associate.”

“What was his name?”

“It was Mark’s son. Bradley.”

“Did you make the comment to Bradley, too?”

“Oops, yes, I forgot about him. I guess I felt comfortable with him.”

Mary had no idea how they would mitigate the damage, and she was angry at the unfairness of the accusation. They hadn’t discriminated against John because he was a man, and he wasn’t senior enough to be a partner yet. Meanwhile, Hunter & Logue was an all-male firm, but nobody thoughtthatwas discriminatory. That was the status quo.

Bennie pursed her lips. “Did you take notes after any of these interviews?”

“No.”

“Did you exchange emails in connection with any of these interviews?”

“Yes.”

“I’d like to have copies of them.”

“Sure thing,” John said, his tone turning agreeable. “I also talked to Mark about the possibility of partnership in the next year. He said that was definitely something that they would consider.”

“Did Hunter make you an offer?”

“Yes.”

“And what did you do?”

“I declined.”

“Why?”

John flushed slightly. “The pay was lower.”

“Hmph,” Bennie said, without elaboration. “Are you negotiating with them?”