Page 84 of Pro Bono

“We can hear,” said Minkeagan.

“Yes,” Copes said.

“Is that agreeable?”

“It should be more,” Minkeagan said. “We’re old. We could die in a month.”

“Then we won’t miss it,” Copes said. “You know it’s more than we ever thought there even was, and it all got stolen from his mother.”

“Okay, okay,” Minkeagan said. “It’s enough.”

The next part of the meeting was devoted to having Linda Warren, Charles Warren, Minkeagan, and Copes sign legal documents and Vesper Ellis and Martha Wilkes sign as witness and notary. When this had all been accomplished, Minkeagan and Copes stood up. Copes said, “We appreciate that you lived up to our agreement. Thank you.”

Minkeagan said, “Unless the reason you had this meeting on a Sunday was that the banks are closed so we can’t check the accounts.”

Copes shrugged. “Either way, we’ll be nearby for a while.” He walked toward the door. Mineagan said, “Easy to reach.” He gave a nod to Charlie Warren, then turned and walked after Copes.

As Martha was collecting the papers, careful to be sure each page of each set was kept separate from the others, she picked up another set of papers with a cover on it. “What’s this one? Were they supposed to sign it?”

“I don’t remember what it is,” Charlie said. “Take a look.”

Martha opened the folder and read. “Bonus payment to Martha Wilkes. One million, four hundred thousand dollars? What the—”

“Oh, yeah,” he said. “Now I remember.”

Linda said, “I knew I wouldn’t be able to sit here and give so much to them and nothing to you. It’s to set the universe back in balance.”

One night six months after the meeting with Copes and Minkeagan, Charlie and Vesper were out to dinner at Paradis. As Charlie signed the bill and put away his credit card, Vesper said, just loudly enough so theolder people at the next table heard, “I loved that dinner, but there must have been something in it. Now I can’t keep my hands off you, so if I were you, I’d take me right home.”

“Thank you. That’s all I’m saying in public.”

She whispered, “You’re so fun to embarrass. I can’t seem to resist.”

“Maybe we can get out of here before you think of anything to add. Ready to go?”

“Yes.”

They got up and walked out through the rounded arches of climbing roses and down the quiet street toward Charlie’s parked car. When they reached the darkest part of the block, Charlie stopped, turned to face her, produced a small velvet box, and opened it. Then he got down on one knee.

“What a gorgeous ring, Charlie,” Vesper said. “You have such good taste. And I’m flattered. But, um, no. Get up and come home with me.”

He stood. “Why don’t you want to get married?”

“I’ve been married. I mostly liked it, but nowhere near as much as I like being with you the way I am. And partly thanks to you, I have no practical reason to get married again. Give me a compelling reason to get married sometime and I will. Like one of us gets demented, or pregnant or something.”

He stood up. “Do you want me to hold on to the ring?”

“I think it would be smart. Things change, and I love the ring.”