“Oh. Madam, Mr. Salomon knows the duties and responsibilities of a conservator. However—Jake, it would be prudent not to permit any objects of sentimental or artistic value to leave that house during this waiting period.”
“No problem. Since I’ve had to manage the household, I’ve been staying there much of the time. But I’ll have a word with Johann’s chief guard.”
“Judge, may I say something?”
“Certainly— Miss Smith.”
“I’d like protection against them. June doesn’t know what objets d’art I own. Not one of them has been inside my house since it was built. During my long illness and confinement not one of them called on me or sent flowers or anything. And the same for my post-surgery convalescence, except that I learned that Johanna—Mrs. Seward—tried to crash in right after my operation. I don’t trust them; I’d like the Court’s protection.”
“Jake?”
“I wasn’t there but I heard it from Johann’s chief guard.”
“Mrs. Seward?”
She sniffed. “I had a perfect right! Next of kin.”
“I think I understand it. All right, you four ladies—listen carefully, then leave. You will refrain from visiting the home or offices or other properties of Johann Sebastian Bach Smith. You will refrain from making any attempt to see or to speak with this young lady I have been addressing as ‘Miss Smith.’ If you need to communicate with her or with the Court’s appointed conservator, Mr. Salomon, you will do so only through this Court or through your attorney, whoever he may be, to Mr. Salomon and never directly to Miss Smith. This is an order to all four of you and each of you will obey under pain of severe penalties for contempt. Do you understand? Are there any questions?”
McCampbell waited, then went on, “Very well. Now all four of you leave.”
The Judge remained standing while they filed out. When the door sealed, he sighed. “Whew! Miss Smith—or should I say ‘Brother Schmidt’?—will you have that Glen Grant on rocks now? Glenlivet actually, I don’t have Glen Grant.”
She smiled. “Truly, I haven’t tried anything that potent on this new body. Jake and I should leave—you and
Brother Alec have a date with a fish.”
“Oh, do sit down. Alec has his gear in his car in the basement and my copter is picking us up from the roof in about an hour. Another Coke?”
“Is there sherry? I get a very pleasant buzz on just a glass of sherry—I conclude that my donor did not drink at all.” (Almost never, Boss—and you’re giving me a taste for the stuff.) (Quiet, darling—later.) (‘All right. . . but ask him about our name. Isn’t Judgie Wudgie a darling? Wonder what he’s like in bed?) (You and your one-track mind! I’ll ask him about our name. Now shut up!)
“Sherry it shall be. Jake? Ned? Alec?”
“Judge, since Jake doesn’t need me, I’ll ask to be excused.”
“Okay, Ned. Alec, serve yourself and take care of Jake; I want to stare at Brother Schmidt. I probably won’t be seeing you again, Miss Smith. Your granddaughters are almost certain to try to move it into a higher court. That business of proving who you are by our fraternity grip—that tore it. All I could do today was to give you a little protection in the interim.”
“Which I appreciated, sir. Here’s an odd thing about this sex change. When I was an old man, frail and helpless, I was afraid of nothing. Now I’m young and healthy and strong. But female. To my surprise I find that I want to be protected.”
Alec Train said over his shoulder from the bar, “I’ll protect you, Brother Schmidt! Don’t trust Brother McCampbell—he was the worst wolf in our chapter. Step aside, Brother Wolf—-it’s my turn to stare at our new brother.”
“Boys, I am not a ‘new brother,’ I was pledged years before you were born. But I’m not surprised that you like to stare at me, as my donor—Jake, do they know?”
“It’s not much of a secret, Johann. Judge McCampbell knows, I think Alec knows, too.” (Joan, if he doesn’t know, tell him. And don’t forget our name!) (What do you think I’m leading up to?)