Free Favors and Lies by Mark Gilleo

a stamp of independence somewhere.
    Dan’s eyes met Sue’s as the three-second window he allowed himself for measuring his guest expired. “I apologize for the mess. Deaths in the family have me a little behind in my housekeeping. Grab a seat,” Dan said, gesturing towards a pair of wooden chairs on the other side of the lone desk.
    â€œI can come back another time. It is no trouble, really.”
    â€œNo, it’s all right. I may need some help around here as it turns out. The timing is good.”
    Sue nodded and moved the chair so she had a partial view of the door. Good instincts , Dan thought. Choose a seat where you can see the exit. “I think I have your resume somewhere here,” Dan said as he shuffled through a few folders on his desk. “I know I printed it out from the email you sent.”
    â€œI brought an extra copy, for your convenience,” Sue responded, removing a resume from her leather shoulder bag and putting it on the corner of the desk.
    Prepared , Dan thought to himself. His second favorite attribute . He perused the resume, absorbing Sue’s life in one large chunk. He did many things quickly, but almost nothing as fast as he read.
    â€œSo you’re studying Forensic Psychology at Marymount?”
    â€œThat’s correct. Well, actually Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice.”
    â€œThe same double major combination as the last intern I hired. What do you think of the program?”
    â€œI love it. As you know, the program started ten years ago with a dozen students and is now one of the largest on the East Coast. It’s the only one in the DC area, so obviously it’s popular for its proximity to the FBI, DEA, and Justice Department. We work on law enforcement issues, victim assistance, probation, and parole. Every aspect of the criminal justice system.”
    â€œSeems like it prepares those who are willing to study.”
    â€œThe program has a lot of hands-on aspects. We actually work with the FBI and have on-site training exercises at the Bureau. A couple of weeks ago I was able to observe FBI interviews in progress from behind a two-way mirror.”
    â€œAnyone I would know?”
    â€œIt’s all confidential, but if you read the newspaper you would recognize a name or two.”
    Respects confidentiality , Dan remarked to himself.
    Sue continued. “We have ongoing investigative access to cold case files and associated investigative databases. Any student who helps close a cold case gets a five thousand dollar reward from the FBI, in addition to any other reward that may be outstanding. Not to mention it would virtually guarantee a job at the Bureau.”
    â€œI’m sure it would. So with all the potential glamour, why are you interested in a job here?”
    â€œAn internship. Professor Davis recommended you to me. He suggested I send you an email, introduce myself, and provide a resume.”
    â€œIs that all he said?”
    â€œHe told me you were a legal advisor, but I figured he meant more than he was letting on.”
    â€œWhy do you say that?”
    â€œIn my experience, forensics professors are very exact, not surprising given forensics is an exact science. A certain lack of exactness led me to believe you may be more than a legal advisor.”
    â€œI see. If this interview works out, you will be the fourth intern I have hired from your program. Two of the previous interns were great. One was a train wreck. Just so we are on the same page, let me be blunt. What’s the main reason you are here?”
    â€œI have to fulfill an internship requirement in Criminal Justice and one of my professors told me you were someone who had hired interns in the past.”
    â€œYou get an A for honesty. I will return the favor. Depending on what direction you are headed in your career, you may not get a lot of practical experience here. You may learn something about criminals, but the only forensics