Page 55 of Bargain with Fate
“Priya was just telling me about her expertise in cybersecurity.”
“I’m not sure how relevant that is to the job,” I said. “Our issues tend to be less cyber and more actual security.”
Priya exuded confidence. “Cybersecurity was only one aspect of my previous role. I can assure you I’m more than capable of being hands-on.”
She leaned slightly to the right as she answered me. It was a tiny, blink-and-you-miss-it movement, but I saw it.
I decided to be direct. “You hate snakes, don’t you?”
Priya’s confident smile evaporated. “What? No? What makes you think that?”
I kept my eyes locked on hers. “So if I were to unleash my crown of snakes right here in this room, you’d be cool with that?”
Priya instinctively edged her chair to the right. “Why…Why would you do that in such a confined space?”
I looked at Justine. “Next.”
Justine rubbed her temples. “Thank you for coming in, Priya.”
The djinni was still fixed on me. “Does this mean you won’t unleash your snakes?”
“Nope.” I popped thep.
Her hand clutched her chest. “Oh, thank the gods. I might’ve puked from fear right on your shoes. Snakes are my one weakness.”
“I get that a lot.”
Priya bolted from the office without a backward glance.
“You might want to ask the applicants how they feel about snakes before you bring them in,” I told Justine.
She leaned back in her chair, defeated. “I didn’t think it would be an issue. It isn’t like you whip them out willy-nilly. I’ve never seen them, and we’ve worked together for five years.”
“I’ve used them on the job, though. It would be a safety hazard to have a partner afraid of snakes. What if she instinctively tried to defend herself by attacking me?”
“I take your point.” Justine hit the buzzer on the phone. “Send in the next candidate.”
After Priya, I sat through four more interviews and rejected four more candidates. Justine looked ready to fire me by the end of the afternoon.
“I’m sorry, but none of them were right for the job,” I said, sensing her distress. “Better to be patient than have to go through this all over again in two months.”
“Are you expecting Superman himself to waddle through that door? Because that’s the vibe I’m getting.” Justine tossed the stack of resumes in the trash can. “I’ll let you know when I have more candidates for you to consider.”
“Why not hire someone already on the island?”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Is there someone on the island you’d be willing to work with?”
“It depends, but a lot of the Neighbors are incredibly capable. I bet one of them would relish the opportunity to be of service to the community.”
“Of course, it would have to be someone showing no signs of dementia or physical ailments. Basically, no signs of aging.”
“Then I might as well resign right now,” I joked. “I noticed a couple gray hairs yesterday.”
Justine didn’t crack a smile. “You know what I’m saying, Maya. No Meemaw, no matter how much you like her. Her brain could turn to pudding any day now.”
The witch was still sharp as a razor, but I understood Justine’s point. She could help in an unofficial capacity only.
“What about Laurel Oakes?” Justine asked. “She’s a druid in excellent health.”
