9. Mentor

The lab was buzzing away with scientists rushing to and fro examining evidence and delivering results. Her desk was tucked away in the corner, away from the hustle and bustle, in order to try and find some space to hear herself think. She worked best alone, where there was peace and quiet.

"Clarissa?" she looked up to see her boss standing in front of her desk, clutching a stack of files

"Can I help you Professor Brown?" she asked politely, setting down the evidence she was examining

"I wanted to speak with you about the new recruit who's starting tomorrow," the Professor said "He's a young lad and a little inexperienced. I was hoping you could take him under your wing and show him the ropes,"

"You want me to mentor him?" she frowned "Why me?"

"You're an experienced scientist and more than capable of handling difficult situations," he said precariously

"Why is the latter relevant?"

"This new recruit of ours. Well I've heard he can be a little unorthodox at times…"

"You mean he's a bit of an arsehole and no one else wants to mentor him" Clarissa said bluntly. The Professor blushed but eventually nodded "Fine," she sighed "I'll mentor him, but don't expect me to give him an easy time,"

"I would expect no less," the Professor said looking relieved she had agreed to his request "Here are the details," he said passing her a file "Oh and could you chase up the toxicology results for the murder case we had in last week. The Detective is on my case at the moment…"

"Of course," she said making a note on a scrap piece of paper, fully intending to make it her new mentees first job

When the Professor had gone, she looked down at the file he had given her. She scanned it quickly, trying to get a feel for the new recruit she would be 'babysitting'

Jack Hodgson.

Her mentee finally had a name. If this Jack Hodgson was as wild as his reputation made out, then she'd be more than ready to handle him. She was no push over and was already starting to sharpen her best sarcastic comebacks ready just for him. Grabbing a new piece of paper, she started to make a list of all the new jobs she'd get him to do. If he thought he was in for an easy ride, then he was mistaken. If this Jack Hodgson believed he was unorthodox then he'd get a new understanding of the word when he was faced with Clarissa's mentoring scheme.

List of Jobs for Jack Hodgson:

Chase up toxicology reports

Clean out the maggot tanks

Make me a coffee (Americano with a dash of milk)

….

When the list was done it ran to 4 pages (front and back of course). She knew already she was going to make such a wonderful mentor for Jack Hodgson!