I was under anesthesia when it wore off too early. I couldn’t open my eyes, but I heard my son’s wife tell the surgeon: “If something goes wrong, don’t call her lawyer. Call me first.”

stared at me in disbelief.

“You can’t do that.”

“I already did.”

Her voice sharpened. “You’re old. You’re sick. Courts overturn things.”

“Courts,” Malcolm replied pleasantly, “adore notarized paperwork.”

Then I gave her the sentence she feared most.

“The recorder worked beautifully.”

Every trace of color drained from her face.

Malcolm smiled faintly.

“The hospital continue reading …