“I don’t suppose you’d like to talk about my mother’s big charity bash for breast cancer research next Friday?” she continued, a twinkle in her eyes. “Or perhaps my father’s most recent trade talks with Indonesia?” She laughed, then sighed. “I know you want to talk to me about Alex Harrington and his run for mayor of New York City. But I really have little that’s interesting or pertinent to say to you or your readers about him. In short, I’m old news, two-year-old old news to be exact.”

Mia kept her voice smooth, matter-of-fact. “Still, you were part of the fabric of his life, you knew him very well indeed, Ms. Calley. You were slated to marry him.”

Mia saw a flash of distress on her beautiful face before she slowly nodded. “Well, yes, of course. Very well, Ms. Briscoe, but please realize whatever I might say about Alex wouldn’t be of much interest to the voters of New York City. I don’t know much of anything about his politics, or what he advocates.”

Mia didn’t say it, but she didn’t care at all what this woman thought of Alex Harrington’s politics; she wanted to know why their engagement had been called off. She’d bet her prized Indian Head nickel Juliet was the one who’d called a halt. The question was why. Mia didn’t take her tablet out; she simply leaned forward and looked directly at Juliet. “I accept that voters wouldn’t be much interested in your opinions of Mr. Harrington’s political stands. I’d guess you probably don’t care what he thinks about much of anything these days. I would find it odd if you did.”

A forced smile from Juliet. “Yes, you’re quite right about that. Actually, I rarely give him a thought.”

She wasn’t a good liar, and this lie perched on the end of her perfect nose. Mia said, “I met Mr. Harrington at a fundraiser and interviewed him for a series of articles I’ve been assigned to write for the Guardian. I spoke to him yesterday. He was charming, which I suppose he’ll have to be to get many votes. He’s good-looking, tall, well built, seems to relate well to both men and women. In short, he’s got everything it takes to be a successful politician. So far as I know he’s been an athlete and an avid gamer, that he runs the New York branch of his family’s business. He seems like a man who’d appeal to would-be voters, at least to those voters not too far on the left or the right. What I’d like to know, Ms. Calley, is what you think of him as a person. Is he as admirable as he seems to be? Trustworthy? Knowing him as you do, would you vote for him?”