«Fair enough. What kind of firm is it?»
«Tax. Some securities, real estate and banking, but eighty percent is tax work. That’s why we wanted to meet you, Mitch. You have an incredibly strong tax background»
«Why’d you go to Western Kentucky?» asked Oliver Lambert.
«Simple. They offered me a full scholarship to play football. Had it not been for that, college would’ve been impossible.»
«Tell us about your family.»
«Why is that important?»
«It’s very important to us, Mitch,» Royce McKnight said warmly. They all say that, thought McDeere.
«Okay, my father was killed in the coal mines when I was seven years old. My mother remarried and lives in Florida. I had two brothers. Rusty was killed in Vietnam. I have a brother named Ray McDeere.»
«Where is he?»
«I’m afraid that’s none of your business.»
«I’m sorry,» the managing partner said softly.
«Mitch, our firm is in Memphis,» Lamar said.
«Does that bother you?»
«Not at all. I’m not fond of cold weather.»
«Have you ever been to Memphis?»
«We’ll have you down soon. You’ll love it.»
Mitch smiled and nodded and played along. Were these guys serious? How could he consider such a small firm in such a small town when Wall Street was waiting?
«How are you ranked in your class?» Mr. Lambert asked.
«Top five.» That was enough of an answer for all of them.
«Why did you select Harvard?»
«Actually, Harvard selected me. I applied at several schools and was accepted everywhere. Harvard offered more financial assistance. I thought it was the best school. Still do.»
«You’ve done quite well here, Mitch,» Mr. Lambert said, admiring the resume. The dossier was in the briefcase, under the table.
«Thank you. I’ve worked hard.»
«You made extremely high grades in your tax and securities courses.»
«That’s where my interest lies.»
«We’ve reviewed your writing sample, and it’s quite impressive.»
«Thank you. I enjoy research.»
«Tell us about your wife,» Royce McKnight said. It was a standard, non sacred area explored by every firm.
«Her name is Abby. She has a degree in elementary education from Western Kentucky. We graduated one week and got married the next. For the past three years she’s taught at a private kindergarten near Boston College.»
«And is the marriage -»
«We’re very happy. We’ve known each other since high school.»