The Promise of Change Read Online Free PDF Page B

when in fact you withdrew your application to clerk for the federal judge.”
    “Among other things,” Sarah muttered.
    “Are you worried?” Ann asked. “You weren’t the best of friends in law school.”
    “More like the worst of enemies, but no, I don’t think she’s going to come in and clean house, if that’s what you mean.” Sarah sighed, turning to look at another bolt of fabric. “It’s going to be difficult working for her.”
    “Maybe she’s changed, softened over the years.” Ann’s words weren’t exactly comforting. “What’s she been doing?”
    “Working for a huge litigation firm in New York. They called her the pitbull.”
    “Okay, maybe not. But you do a great job, and your clients like you. That’s got to mean something . . .” Ann offered.
    “Well, you’d better put on your best suit and your best game face for your meeting. No point in taking any chances.”
    Becca. Always the advisor.

Chapter 4
    Sarah plastered what she hoped was a convincing smile on her face. She and the other attorneys were gathered around the conference table for their first meeting with the Bitchkrieg, er, Patricia. She had to stop thinking of her nickname. One of these days it was going to slip.
    So far, Sarah had not shared her specific encounters with the B— or rather, Patricia, only that they went to law school together. Sarah glanced around the table. They all shifted nervously in their seats, not making eye contact with one another.
    Perhaps it was the atmosphere in the office that made everyone twitchy. When Sarah had walked in this morning, all of the administrative staff sat quietly at their desks. There’d been no laughter, no chit-chat around the coffee pot, and their hesitant ‘good mornings’ were barely audible.
    Amazing. Patricia had barely been in the office more than an hour, and like the vampire she was, had already sucked the life out of it.
    The office had a good group of lawyers. Ken hired well. They’d all gotten along, worked well together. Most of them had served their time in private practice before coming in-house and really appreciated the more relaxed environment.
    It was a shame. She was sure the office dynamics were going to change. And the ill-wind bringing that change blew into the room, bringing a decided chill with her.
    Patricia stood at the head of the table, her well-manicured fingertips touching the surface, as she surveyed the room with an authoritarian air. She was tall, well-over five-nine, probably topping out at six foot in her stilettos, and lean.
    Her long brown hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail that hung like a curtain down her back. Sharply-lined gray catlike eyes that could cut through your defenses like a diamond through glass stared out at the group.
    At first glance, some would say she was beautiful, sexy even, in a dominatrix sort of way. But upon closer inspection, they would discover the hard set of her mouth, the cold steel of her eyes, the icy exterior that protected a heart of stone. “Good morning.”
    Patricia’s brow creased at the mumbled good mornings in response.
    “I’m sure you’re all aware of who I am, so I won’t go into a lengthy presentation of my credentials, other than to say that I believe you will find me quite capable of running this office in an efficient and professional manner.”
    Patricia caught the eyes of each attorney in turn, and in turn, each looked away before she did. After all, everyone instinctively knew the consequences of looking into the face of Medusa.
    Sarah held her gaze longest. As difficult as that was, she knew the best way to deal with a bully was head on. One of the many things her father taught her.
    “Why don’t we go around the table, and you can introduce yourselves? Of course I’ve reviewed your CV’s and personnel files, but I’d like to hear from you. Sarah, let’s start with you.”
    Sarah introduced herself, but Patricia occasionally interrupted her with anecdotes regarding their