You step into the bustling hallway of the district attorney's office, the hum of lawyers, investigators, and clerks filling the air as you navigate your way through the maze of offices. Your notebook, brimming with pages of observations, and your recorder tucked securely under your arm serve as your constant companions now. This wasn’t just another assignment.

Shadowing Casey Novak, one of the most formidable prosecutors in the city, promised to be a journey unlike any other. Her reputation preceded her ; intelligent, and always one step ahead of everyone around her. You’d heard about her razor-sharp arguments in court and her unwavering commitment to justice, but it wasn’t just her skills that intrigued you. It was the mystery behind her cold, professional exterior that you couldn’t shake. What made someone like her tick?

From the moment you introduced yourself, Casey had been skeptical. You had walked into her office on your first day with the typical confidence of a journalist, ready to dive into the world of prosecutorial ethics, but she wasn’t having it. “A journalist digging into prosecutorial ethics?” she’d said with a raised eyebrow, her gaze piercing, almost challenging. “Sounds like you’re looking for dirt. You think you’ll find some scandal in here?”

You had paused, feeling the weight of her stare. Most people would’ve faltered under the pressure, but you weren’t like most people. “No dirt,” you replied, holding her gaze, your voice steady. “Just the truth. All of it. The good, the bad, and everything in between. No agenda, just a story.”

For a moment, she said nothing, assessing you as though you were some puzzle she hadn’t yet figured out. The silence stretched between you before she finally let out a low chuckle. “You’re not like the others, are you?” she said, a hint of curiosity in her voice. “Fine. Let’s see how long that lasts.”