”“Hello, I’m calling from the chambers of Hollister and Hollister.”“Good morning. I just got back home an hour ago.”“From?...”“Takin... Olwen to the airport. She appears to have had a most successful trip.”“Yes. We got the same impression. Anyway, we were hoping we could invite Aged P. to dinner tonight or tomorrow.”“Great Expectations. I’m not yet senile. It would have to be tomorrow. I’m dining with your Sandra and an archaeology colleague of hers tonight.”“Business or pleasure?”“I’m hoping it. " More help than that." I again looked at the others and remained silent."Leave us," the lieutenant said to the sergeant and policewoman.When they were gone, I said, "My mom's a junky and I hate my life. If I help you, will you help us? Will you give us that witness protection thing and give us some money and get my mom off drugs?"I thought the lieutenant was going to cry. He was a big, strong man in his late forties or early fifties. He had been a cop for a long time and was street smart and. He liked Ted a lot, and he wished he could paint and see a woman like that in the nude — instead of only in paintings. He’d asked Ted who she was, but apparently it was a model with a few additions and changes of Ted’s. He suspected the model might have been Ted’s wife, Medbh, but she didn’t have her looks. ‘Coffee,’ he said, bringing himself back to the moment with a shake of his head. He put a large mug and a saucer with biscuits on a side table, and directed her to a chair. He sat down. .. , he's heading my way..."Hey there! You look stymied. Can't think of anything to write... ? Well, poor you..." Can't you see I'm busy here? Who are you?" I ask impatiently."Why, I'm Father Time! Don't you recognize me? I been keeping you company right down through the Decades. I keep picking your pocket but you're a stubborn one. You just keep right on a comin'," he laughed."But don't count on doing that for much longer, in fact, I wouldn't buy anything on time if I was you." You're Father.