He said on a sigh, “Let me thank you for breaking up a day crammed with boring meetings. Can you imagine what that’s like in the insurance business? I guess I shouldn’t disparage the industry that makes me and my family a very nice living, but I tell you, Mia, meeting with Harper’s senior accountant, brilliant as he can be, is a trial; there’s not a single funny bone in Merkel’s body. He doesn’t even look at me, stares at my walls and makes me want a drink. Maybe he wants a drink too.” A self-deprecating smile, inviting her to join in, and she did.

“You and I have never met, but as I said, Alex told me last night after his fundraiser that you write an excellent political blog, which, alas, I haven’t had a chance to look at yet. I assume you came to talk about Alex?”

Mia pointed to the displays on his walls. “This is an awesome display. You’re a big gamer, obviously, or were. Is Mr. Harrington a gamer, too?”

If he’d been standing, he might have bounced on his feet. His eyes lit up like a hundred-watt bulb. “Oh yes, at least at Bennington Prep, Alex and I gamed together more than studied, or so our parents thought. We cut back in college, of course, didn’t have much time for it. I’m still more of a fan than Alex is; I play to relieve stress, when I need it.”

And you squeeze the yellow tennis ball. Mia suddenly heard Serena’s voice—Aolith the dreamer, she’s magic. I can see her floating through a green forest, birds fluttering around her, singing to her. And she’s a survivor. What had Serena called that name, Aolith? Her handle, yes, that was it. She said, “Do you have a favorite game, an online handle, I believe it’s called?”

“Sure, all gamers do. I go by Snake, short for Solid Snake.” He pointed at the large center poster on the wall opposite. “That’s why Snake there dominates the stage.”

Mia studied the poster. “Talk about domination, with that sword he looks ready for destruction, right? And he really needs a shave.”

He was silent a moment, and Mia wanted to kick herself. Then she saw him decide not to be offended. He laughed, stroked his hand over his smooth face. “Good point. It’s part of his trademark.”

“Your collection is awesome, Kent.” Serena had tried to hook Mia on gaming, but it never took. Why was she asking him about gaming anyway? All right, the truth was she couldn’t help herself. She said with regret, “Alas, I was never introduced to gaming, even online.”