“I’m sorry, Kate. You know we would love to have you join Prosecutions. But with the cutbacks from the last budget, we have no positions available. We just filled our last opening.”

She studied him, in that moment wanting nothing more than to be him. Becoming a prosecutor was what she was meant to do. She knew it. What Nina Woods had said to her before she left for Italy merely underscored the rightness of her decision.

Why else had she survived so many terrible things, but to help set the world right again?

“I understand.” Kate forced a smile to match her words. “But do you foresee anything opening up soon?”

John Hillcroft’s gaze was regretful. The man’s face naturally fell into inscrutable lines, but his eyes were more expressive than he probably liked, given he was the Chief Crown Prosecutor for the region. “I’m afraid not. We just filled two other vacant positions last month, although we could use more hands on deck. Despite our efforts at lobbying the government for more positions, we have been unsuccessful. The government seems to think that fewer prosecutors will result in fewer crimes.” His lips twisted. “But, all it means is that more criminals are getting released on constitutional grounds because of the delay in proceedings or insufficient time for our Crowns to adequately prepare.” He drained his coffee cup and stood. “Sorry, I must go.”

Kate pushed her chair away from the table and grabbed her briefcase. “I really appreciate you meeting with me, John.”

“It was my pleasure. Why don’t you walk with me to the Law Courts? We can discuss options for you.”

He politely ushered her out of the coffee shop. Kate fell into step beside him. “If you want some unsolicited advice, Kate, ask McGrath Woods to take on more criminal defense work. You have a talent for it. I would surmise that Randall Barrett would be open to your request.”

Kate’s lips twisted in a smile. So, John Hillcroft had a sense of humor. A rather dry one, given his oblique reference to her successful defense of Randall Barrett a year ago. “Perhaps.” She hesitated. Should she tell him that her firm wanted her to keep a low profile and stay out of trouble? No. That was between her and Nina. Instead, she said, “But I really don’t want to do any more defense work. I only did one case, and it was by necessity. And—” she paused, reluctant to share a decision that was so fresh that she was still testing it. “I am tendering my resignation to McGrath Woods at the end of the month.”