Page 20 of The Innocent

“As I explained on the phone, you’ll be dealing with former inmates. Getting out of prison can be difficult. Thrust into a new world. We help with resources and services. We’re a private company, and Lawry is our home base. But you’d be traveling to clients throughout the state. The position is remote, and you’d be expected to check in at the office once a week. Mondays at eleven.” Judy arched her brow. “On time.”

Imogene immediately nodded.

“We have a log in system that you’re required to use. It’s a way to track you should you run into any issues. There’s no learning curve or forgiveness for that rule. You break it, you’re fired. If we can’t ensure your safety, you become a liability.”

“Has that ever happened before?”

“Four times.” Her gaze hardened slightly. “Let’s not make it five.”

“I won’t. And it sounds perfect. Just what I’m looking for.”

Judy glanced down at her resume. “You certainly have the experience. Volunteering at the prison definitely gives you an edge above the rest of the candidates. Why’d you leave?”

Life had changed.

“It’s a long story.” She sighed. “But you can check my references. I didn’t have any issues there.”

“And you’re new to Lawry?”

“Yes.” She shifted to the edge of her seat. “I’ve been here for a few months. I’m in the process of looking for an apartment. So I’m definitely here to stay.”

“Where are you living now?”

“The Kroger motel on Mill Lane.”

Judy’s lips twisted. The disgust was easy to read. “I hope they’ve done renovations since the last time I was there.”

Imogene flattened her lips, forcing a smile. If she had to guess, they hadn’t. It was rundown, and she had to do a complete cleaning of the room before she was comfortable to fall asleep. Thirty-six hours. Imogene could’ve opted for a nicer place, but she wasn’t sure how long it would take before finding an apartment. She didn’t want to exhaust her funds on a temporary fancy hotel. Looking back, it had been a smart decision.

“It’s only temporary. Like I said, I’m apartment hunting.”

“How’s that working out?”

“Well” —she blew out a breath, ruffling her long bangs— “Not as well as I had hoped.”

“City living can be expensive.”

Imogene snorted, “Yeah, plus everything I’ve looked at is so small. It wouldn’t fit all my belongings on top of my files. I have everything in a storage unit for now, but I’d really like to get in somewhere soon. I was hoping to find an inexpensive complex and rent two apartments, side by side, if I can’t find something big enough. One for my everyday living space and the other as an office. But as you pointed out, it’s very expensive.”

Judy lifted her chin. “Files on?”

A sudden dread washed over her. Why had she mentioned the files?

“My father’s case.”

Judy settled in her seat, eyeing Imogene. “Tell me about that.”

Imogene shifted in her chair. This topic always brought a tense element to the conversation. “He was wrongly accused and convicted. He had been granted a new trial, but, um” —she swallowed the knot in her throat— “He was killed in prison.”

“What was the charge?”

I’m going to lose this job before I get it.

“Murder,” Imogene muttered.

She expected a shocked reaction, but Judy remained neutral.

“Wrongly accused and convicted, huh?”