Chapter 24
Trudy, the head of the servants, appeared with a light CRACK in front of Maeve. She and Zimsy were playing cards.
“Miss has a visitor,” said Trudy.
Maeve made her way downstairs and pushed the double doors into the sitting room off the foyer. There was her father, and a man with his back turned to her.
“Miss Sinclair.”
The man, Daniel Rodriguez, turned to face her. He was her instructor last summer when she interned at The Double O, and he was the newly appointed current head of The Department of Minds.
“I’ll leave you to it,” said Ambrose, clapping Daniel on the shoulder.
“Mr. Rodriguez,” said Maeve politely as her father passed her, closing the door behind him. “Please have a seat.”
She gestured to the chairs to her right. Once they were seated, Maeve folded her hands in her lap and spoke.
“What can I do for you?”
“I know you are about the enter your final year at Vaukore and will be taking your exams to place you for your post-education career.”
Maeve smiled and nodded.
“To be candid, I am here to offer you a job before anyone else does.”
Maeve had not been expecting that.
“You seem surprised,” said Rodriguez.
“I am,” said Maeve.
“I believe that after you perform your exams, there won’t be a department that doesn’t offer you a job. I happen to know where your heart’s work lies, though.” Rodriguez smiled.
Maeve thanked him for the compliment.
“I hope you’ll consider what I have to offer and know that due to the nature of The Department, there is very little detail I can give you of the job. Only that I know you’d be doing what you already do so wonderfully now.”
Maeve was silent and let him talk.
“I made this packet for you. It has as much information as I am allowed to give you. Of course, should you choose to come and work with me, you’ll be cleared on all the secrets.”
Rodriguez pulled a black leather binder from his bag and placed it on the table between them. “It goes over the pay, title and all-”
“And what title is that?” Asked Maeve.
Rodriguez laughed. “Assistant secretary.”
“Under your Senior, Junior, and a dozen other assistant secretaries?”
Rodriguez smiled at her. “I’m sure it doesn’t exactly appeal to someone as high achieving as you are, Miss Sinclair, but those witches and wizards have been working for the Orator’s Office for years, some even decades.”
Maeve didn’t touch the binder he had placed on the table. She stared at him, thinking.
“Look,” said Rodriguez, “just think about it. You’d fly up in the rankings, and I just know you’d enjoy yourself more than on The Committee for Experimental Charms, who I know is going to be able to offer you a higher pay-”
“The pay doesn’t matter to me,” said Maeve curtly.
“Ah,” said Rodriguez, glancing about the room, “of course.”
“I will think about it, yes. Thank you.”
Rodriguez gave her a nod and stood to take his leave. Maeve walked him to the door.
“Oh,” he said, turning towards her, “I almost forgot.” He whispered now. “Did you really jump through minds straight to Kietel himself?”
Maeve stepped back slightly. She didn’t smile triumphantly, though Daniel was looking at her like she should be.
“I did,” was all she said.
“Damn,” whispered Rodriguez. “I knew it was true.” He stood rubbing his chin for a moment. “Head Assistant Secretary then. Just consider it as you enter your last year at Vaukore. The offer is valid until you graduate.”
Maeve mustered a smile. “Thank you, Mr. Rodriguez.”