“He’s here right now?!” Jamie was incredulous. “You didn’t say He’s here right now?!” Jamie was incredulous. “You didn’t say that he was coming today. Why didn’t you tell . . .”

Vince laughed. “Calm down. He’s going to find out sooner or later that you’re interviewing here. This is a good chance for you to show me what you’ve got.”

There was a knock at the door, and Tracy opened it before anyone answered. She showed Rich in and closed the door behind him.

Rich said “hi” to Vince and shook his hand, and then did a calm but unmistakable double-take when he saw his former vice president of human resources. “Well, hello there, Jamie.”

Jamie was momentarily relieved to see that Rich did not expect him to be there. He was suddenly confident, standing and reaching out his hand to Rich. “Good to see you, Rich.” But in spite of his controlled exterior, Jamie was a mess inside.