Jack Mercer
is a rugged private investigator in his mid-thirties, known for his relentless pursuit of the truth in cold cases that the police have failed to solve. With dark black hair, piercing blue eyes, and a signature leather jacket paired with...
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The sunlight streamed into Sarah Hall's office at the District Attorney's office, casting a warm glow over the papers neatly arranged on her desk. The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of activity outside her door, where phones rang and conversations buzzed. It was just another ordinary day, and Sarah was doing her best to focus on the case notes in front of her. Still, in the back of her mind, one thought kept nagging at her: the bar exam results.
She'd been trying not to think about it, telling herself that obsessing over the results wouldn't change them. But the anticipation had been building over the past few days, and no matter how hard she tried to push it aside, it lingered.
Her phone buzzed, breaking the stillness of the room. She glanced at it, expecting a routine update from one of the attorneys. But the caller ID showed a number she didn't immediately recognize. Her heart skipped a beat, and she hesitated for a moment before picking it up.
"Sarah Hall," she answered, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Ms. Hall, this is Mary from the State Bar Association. I'm calling to inform you that your bar exam results are now available online. You've successfully passed the exam. Congratulations."
Sarah's breath caught in her throat. She barely registered the rest of the woman's words, her mind already racing. She'd done it. She'd passed.
"Thank you," she managed to reply, her voice slightly shaky.
As soon as the call ended, Sarah sat back in her chair, a mix of relief, excitement, and disbelief washing over her. She had spent months preparing for the exam, juggling her work at the DA's office with her studies, and now it had all paid off. The weight of uncertainty that had been pressing down on her lifted, and she felt lighter than she had in weeks.
A smile spread across her face as she stood and looked out the window, taking a moment to savor the victory. The city of Oakridge stretched out before her, and for a brief second, everything seemed just a little brighter.
Her thoughts quickly shifted to Jack. He'd been her rock through the entire process, always encouraging her and offering support when she needed it most. She couldn't wait to tell him the good news.
She grabbed her phone and dialed his number.
"Hey, it's me," Sarah said when Jack picked up. "I just got the call—I passed."
There was a pause on the other end before Jack's voice came through, filled with pride. "That's amazing, Sarah! I knew you could do it."
"Thanks," Sarah replied, still grinning. "It feels surreal, but I'm relieved."
"I'll bet. We'll have to celebrate tonight," Jack said.
Sarah laughed. "Definitely. I'll be done here in a few hours. I'll meet you after."
They exchanged a few more words before hanging up. As Sarah placed the phone back on her desk, she felt a wave of calm and excitement wash over her. Just then, there was a soft knock on her door, and before she could respond, the door opened, revealing Eleanor Carter, the District Attorney herself.
Eleanor stepped into the room with a confident stride, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I hear congratulations are in order," she said, her voice warm but authoritative.
Sarah blinked in surprise. "You already know?"
Eleanor chuckled softly. "I have my ways. Word travels fast around here, especially with news this good."
Sarah smiled, still riding the high of her accomplishment. "Thank you, Ms. Carter."
Eleanor crossed the room and leaned against Sarah's desk, her expression turning more serious. "I've been keeping an eye on you for a while now, Sarah. You've shown a lot of promise in this office, and I know you have what it takes to succeed. That's why I wanted to remind you—if you want the Assistant District Attorney position, my offer still stands."
Sarah's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the ADA position. It had been a distant goal, something she aspired to but hadn't expected to be offered so soon. Her mind raced as she tried to process the weight of the opportunity.
"Wow, I—" Sarah stammered, unsure of what to say. "I'm honored, Ms. Carter. I didn't expect this..."
Eleanor held up a hand, stopping her. "Take your time to think about it. You've just received some life-changing news, and I don't expect an answer right now. But I do want to know by Monday morning. This is a big step, and I want you to be sure."
Sarah nodded, still trying to wrap her mind around the offer. "I will. Thank you."
Eleanor smiled again, her demeanor softening. "You've earned it, Sarah. I believe in your abilities. Now, enjoy your weekend, and let me know your decision on Monday."
With that, Eleanor straightened up and left the room, leaving Sarah alone with her thoughts. The weight of the moment settled over her. She had passed the bar exam, and now she was being offered the chance to step into a prestigious role at the DA's office. It was everything she had worked for, yet the decision seemed monumental.
She glanced back at the window, her mind racing with possibilities. Jack was waiting to celebrate, but she knew she had some thinking to do before Monday morning.
