That evening Eleanor had parent–teacher night and had to go back to school and be a teacher well into the night. It was a private school so the children were her customers and their parents doubled as the customers’ financiers and the school’s shareholders. This was like an AGM and Eleanor and her colleagues had for weeks been preparing a reconciliation between the educational fantasies of the stakeholders and the truth. Ultimately, their jobs depended on it. She had asked and Maserov had agreed to stay with Jacob and Beanie after the nightly routine of bath, bed and storytelling. He had, however, forgotten to tell Jessica this when they had met at work during the day.
He was on his way there when his phone rang. He thought it might be Jessica. He was going to have to tell her that he wouldn’t be able to see her that night due to family obligations. The call wasn’t from Jessica but from Betga.
‘Have you heard the news? We’ve got a few problems but I want you to stay calm.’
‘What news? I haven’t heard any news. What are you talking about?’
‘Malcolm Torrent’s in hospital. He’s had a stroke.’
‘A stroke!’
‘Don’t worry, we’re not finished yet.’
‘How bad is it?’
‘I don’t how bad it is. I’ll know more soon. I’m on my way down there. Don’t worry. We’re not finished yet.’
‘What? What are you talking about?’
‘Don’t get upset, Maserov. It’s not going to help anything.’
‘You’re on your way where?’
‘To the hospital. He’s in the ICU. I spoke to his private secretary. She told me which hospital. Don’t worry.’
‘Why are you going to visit him in hospital? They won’t let you into his room.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll get in.’
‘Why do you want to get into his hospital room?’
‘You’ve got to get his signature, don’t you? I’m taking the spare form you left with me for safekeeping.’
‘Betga, you’re crazy. Don’t do this!’
‘Do what? I’m visiting a sick old man. There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s admirable.’
‘Betga, it’s fraud, it’s obtaining financial advantage by deception, it’s forgery, falsification of documents, it’s —’
‘Maserov, you need to relax. First, it’s not obtaining financial advantage by deception because there’s no deception, ditto re fraud. You know this because you know what his intentions were before his stroke and what they will be again, if and when he recovers. It was his intention to make you the lawyer at Freely Savage responsible for all Torrent Industries files. Anything that furthers that intention is hardly deceptive or fraudulent. It’s giving effect to his wishes; it’s the opposite of deceptive.’
‘Betga, the Supreme Court wouldn’t like this.’
‘No, they’ll love it. They love cases like this. Trust me. And second, it’s not forgery if it’s in his own hand.’
‘You’re going to put a pen in his hand?’
‘It’s too early for me to know the extent of the assistance he requires, but yes, of course I’m going to help him effect his wishes to the best of my powers as his legally retained personal lawyer, and, of course, as someone who cares. Remember the hundred bucks he gave me. I won’t forget that in a hurry. I, for one, will not desert him.’
‘Betga, you’re going to put a pen in the hand of a stroke victim!’
‘I’m going to try, yes.’
‘I don’t want any part of this.’
‘Maserov, you’ve done all you need to do, my friend. I’ve got the form to be signed, I’ve got the pen and I’ve got the resealable ziploc bag. I’ve even brought him his favourite bible. It’s a Gutenberg special, autographed. You relax with your family . . . or your lover, whomever . . . Know that I won’t judge you.’
‘A resealable ziploc bag?’
‘Yeah, it’s for the pen . . . after he signs it.’ There was silence at the other end of the phone. ‘Preserves his DNA on the pen. Everyone loves DNA evidence. It’s so reassuring. Listen, Maserov, I’ve got to find somewhere to park the car. I’ll call you when I’ve been in to see him. I’ll give him your love.’