“The girlfriend had a mole removed and ended up getting a nasty infection that started to destroy the skin and tissue on her face. The doctors thought it was some weird type of flesh-eating bacteria. Of course everyone assumed Julia did it on purpose, that she gave the other woman something that caused the infection. But no strange species of bacteria was found, so no criminal charges were brought against Julia. They couldn’t prove anything. It didn’t take long before the civil suit was filed. I’m not sure for how much, but I know it’s a lot.”

So that was Julia’s story. Val had never thought someone else’s problems could be as bad as her own. Hell, Julia’s problem was even worse. She felt sorry for Julia. And then realized that perhaps Julia had felt sorry for her as well. But it was more than that.

Everyone had sympathized with Val, but no one saw her as anything other than a victim. Therefore, no one ever gave her a chance to be anything other than that, until Julia hired her. Val never wanted sympathy. She wanted an opportunity, and Julia had finally given her that opportunity.

She felt a sense of loyalty towards Julia. Even though Candace had said she was telling this story so that Val wouldn’t be subjected to office gossip, she couldn’t help but notice that’s exactly what was going on.

Candace stopped and turned to Val. “You know, it’s funny. I used to talk to Oliver all the time and he mentioned several of his colleagues that would be good for the job, someone named Gwen Carmondy being his first choice. But now that I think of it, he never mentioned you.”

“I guess we’re even because he never mentioned you to me either,” Val said without hesitation. She held her breath, waiting for a response. Candace’s smile was immediately retracted and Val couldn’t read the expression that replaced it. After a second or two, the smile returned. Candace continued as if nothing had happened.

She led Val to an office the size of a large closet. It wasn’t much more than two Formica counters lining each wall. Both were strewn with folders.

“I know it doesn’t look like much. Why don’t you put your things down in here and get into a pair of scrubs. You’ll find them on the shelves in the hallway. Howie should be here shortly. He’ll take over from here.”