He pulled up a smile. “That’s right. I kept up with my studies and even excelled at them, well, most of them, as I think you found out.

“I certainly hope these topics we spoke of today won’t be the focus of your piece. It wouldn’t be fair to me or to the people of New York. Don’t you want what’s best for New York, Mia?”

She had to hand it to him, he’d batted the ball back at her quite well. She consulted her notes again, looked up. “Yes, of course, but let me finish giving you a rundown of my interviews. I also stopped in at Bennington Prep, met Coach Wiliker. I showed him a photo of you I’d happened upon that showed you with a torn earlobe. He remembered clearly when you were injured playing lacrosse. He made you out to be the wounded hero, quite a story. And you won the championship for Bennington, two years in a row.”

“Yes, we did. But the ear was no big deal. One of my teammates hit me by accident with his lacrosse stick. It hurt like blazes, ripped my earlobe, and I ended up with a notch in my ear. I got it repaired three years ago. Ah, did the coach say anything else?”

“He said you were an excellent leader”—she paused, looked again at her tablet—“that you always drove the bus, even with Kent, your best friend. Of course I’d heard that before. It’s appropriate the leader do the driving, isn’t it?” Mia rose. “I’m sorry if Coach Wiliker thought I was snooping. Lots of people do when all I ever want is to get something interesting. I imagine he called to tell you what a pest I was?”

“No, of course not.”

You said that too fast, Alex.

He came around his desk, shook her hand. “I hope you’re feeling better after last night.”

“Yes, I am.”

“You never told me what you thought of Pamela.”

Mia said honestly, “I found her very impressive, Alex. She’s smart, committed to your future and hers with you. I’d say she could be relentless in getting what she wants. I agree with you, the two of you fit hand in glove. You’ll make an impressive team. Let me add she looks excellent in black Armani. Thank you for giving me some of your precious time. I’m sure we’ll speak again. Soon.”

She walked to the office door, turned, and smiled at him. “It was a pleasure speaking with some of the people who influenced your life, Alex. You can look for my first article sometime next week.”

“Of course. I’ll look forward to it, Mia.”

When she closed the door behind her, she saw he was standing tall behind his desk, the committed leader in rolled-up sleeves, looking every bit the workingman’s champion.