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“I suppose your families vacationed together? Perhaps at the Harrington cottage on Nantucket?”
“Oh yes. I have wonderful memories of those warm summers, swimming, sunning, clamming. For the kids, it was magical, only of course, kids take the magic for granted.”
“And the memories become even more magical when we’re older and looking back, right?”
“Yes, that’s it exactly.”
Mia said without pause, “I understand Alex was engaged to the concert pianist Juliet Ash Calley two years ago? I assume they decided they weren’t suited, or was it your coming onto the scene that made Alex realize he’d made a mistake?”
She watched a myriad of emotions flash across Pamela’s face—anger, distaste, and a final dash of triumph. All there, if you were looking closely, which Mia was.
Clever, amusing Pamela was gone. With infinite pity in her voice, she said, “I feel very sorry for Juliet, despite her talent. Have you heard her perform?”
“I haven’t seen her in person, no, but I’ve listened to her CDs. She’s extraordinary, very talented.”
A perfectly timed pause, then, “I agree with you. I’ve heard her many times as well and seen her perform here in Boston. Of course there’s pressure performing in front of an audience but she does well in that setting. But the fact is, in keeping with her being an artist of sorts, Juliet’s always been rather sensitive, delicate, if you know what I mean. She and Alex agreed their engagement was a mistake once she fully understood Alex’s ambitions to be in the public eye, to be a politician. He was quite forceful about it and poor Juliet knew she would have been lost in that kind of life, that world.” She gave Mia a discreet smile. “Then Alex and I were thrown together again as adults, and we clicked.”
But you still dislike Juliet, don’t you, even though you’re the one he’s going to marry.
Mia only smiled. “Delicate? Could you tell me what you mean?”
Pamela quickly retrenched, gave Mia a rueful smile. “As I said, artists are known for their delicacy, aren’t they? Their sensitivity? Everyone in our group knows Juliet has always avoided any sort of confrontation whenever possible, unlike Alex, of course, who relishes competition, going head-to-head with anyone on any topic, any physical activity. You should see him and Kent go at it, at whatever they do.” Pamela shrugged. “No, poor Juliet would never have been comfortable being center stage, and that’s exactly where Alex belongs. It was obvious to everyone, almost from the beginning, that they weren’t a good match.”
“You mean she wouldn’t be comfortable on the political center stage?”
“That’s right. Performing before an audience, by yourself, why, it’s entirely different, don’t you think? No one to disagree with you, no one to tell you you’re foolish, no one to tell you to shut up.”
“You’re right. It doesn’t sound like a good match. You mentioned she was a part of your group? So you and she and Alex grew up together?”
Pamela was comfortable again on familiar ground, where Mia wanted her, for the moment. She said, “I’m sure you understand, Mia, that certain families share long histories. Alex, Kent, Juliet, and I, along with a score of others, were thrown together as children and grew up together. It was normal for us, it was our accepted milieu, if you will.”
Mia chuckled. “Sounds a bit like inbreeding.” Before Pamela could decide whether to be insulted, Mia said, “Did you attend any of Alex’s lacrosse games at Bennington Prep or at Harvard?”
“No, I attended school in England, with Juliet actually, but of course I know about the championships they won. I believe I already mentioned Alex was and still is an amazing athlete.”
Mia quickly called up a photo she’d transferred onto her iPad that showed Alex holding up a trophy, turned it for Pamela to see. “He looks triumphant, doesn’t he?”
“Oh yes. I remember he wrote me how proud he was, but he gave all the credit to his teammates. That’s Alex.”
That’s a lie, Pam, but smoothly done.Mia suddenly looked more closely at the photograph. “Oh goodness, his earlobe—it looks like his earlobe’s been ripped. Maybe playing lacrosse?”
Pam looked closely, frowned. “I don’t see anything.”
“I guess I’m mistaken, but I understand lacrosse is a very physical game, always the possibility of injury.”
“I suppose so. Boys were always getting injured, but nothing serious I can remember.”
Mia didn’t pause. “Do Alex and Kent still game a lot?”
Pamela blinked, gave an elegant shrug. “They don’t play all that much as adults, they’re far too busy with business responsibilities. And now, of course, Alex is running for mayor of New York. But I don’t mind them playing now and then since it seems to relax Alex. It’s probably healthy for him.”
“Me? I might be jealous. You really don’t mind?”
“Of course not. I’ve teased him about it, but Alex just laughs since he’s also a great one for jokes and teasing himself. And did you know Alex coached Little League in Roxbury?”
“How very giving of him. I imagine your family is excited about your becoming the first lady of New York City?”
“My parents always counsel never to count your chickens, but of course it’s their fondest wish that I be at Alex’s side when he wins the election.”
“And your interior design business? As you know, the mayor’s wife has many obligations.”
“I know, and I accept that my business might suffer with my move to New York. But still, I will find time to work, and my family has many friends with apartments in the city.”
Mia listened to Pamela talk about her family and friends, all powerful, all connected. When she knew she’d hit a wall with Pamela, Mia smiled, thanked her, and put away her iPad.
When she stepped into the bitter wind, she knew Pamela was prepared to do whatever it took to get Alex Harrington elected mayor of New York City. She wondered which of them wanted it more.
Mia couldn’t wait to meet Juliet Ash Calley, the ex-fiancée too delicate to handle a powerhouse like Alex Harrington.
