Turning the Page by Andrew Grey Page A

is established enough that I can try some new things. How about you?”
    “I’m getting a lot of pressure to step into the role of senior partner.”
    “That’s great. Isn’t that a good move for you?”
    “It is, but it isn’t something I think I want to do.” The last time, he’d been able to use David’s passing as an excuse to step aside, but this time, with the pressure the others were putting on him, he didn’t have an easy way out. As much as Malcolm was propping Gary up, it didn’t seem like it was going to work. “It’s a lot of responsibility, and it’s….”
    “Well, whatever you decide to do, I’m sure you’ll be amazing at it.”
    “I don’t know.” Malcolm had tried giving the idea some thought, but all he came back to was the pressure and responsibility and not being sure it was what he wanted.
    “That doesn’t seem like you. At least not the work you. When I was in your office, you were knowledgeable, confident, and seemed like you owned the place. If your peers think you can do it, why don’t you?”
    “Before David died I wanted to be senior partner, but afterward….” Malcolm took the on-ramp to the freeway and headed downtown. “I spent a lot of my life working. David and I had made a life, and then he was diagnosed and everything changed overnight. Instead of work and cases, it was chemotherapy and appointments. David became so much more important than anything in the office. I thought we had time, but it turned out we didn’t. After he died and when I had nothing but time on my hands, I wasn’t sure what I wanted, so I stepped aside when the previous senior partner retired, and I got behind Gary.”
    “How is that working out?”
    “Not so well.” Malcolm figured the internal politics of the office wasn’t something Hans would be too interested in, so he tried to think of a way to change the subject. “I have to make a decision, and pretty soon. It’s going to devastate Gary, but I have to think he can see it coming. Is your current manuscript coming along?”
    “Yeah. It’s really moving forward. The president is in peril, and I’m just about to put the entire world order in jeopardy.” Hans wrung his hands. “I love it when I can do that.”
    He sounded like a supervillain, and Malcolm chuckled.
    “I get to blow things up, flatten Beijing, and even have a new continent rise out of the Pacific, sending catastrophic waves in every direction, and when I’m done, I go to bed and sleep like a baby.”
    “You really do like your job.”
    “I do.”
    Hans turned toward him, flashing a million-watt smile, and Malcolm almost missed the turn off the freeway. He managed to get over and took the spur downtown and got off at the exit closest to the art museum. Malcolm parked in the structure across the street and escorted Hans out and up to the plaza level. They crossed the bridge that led to the museum entrance. It was cold, and snow covered the museum landscaping, but the wind was low, and the stars filled the sky.
    “Have you been here before?” Malcolm asked when he saw Hans taking in everything.
    “No. I knew about it, and I’ve seen the building as I’ve driven by, but I haven’t been in. The place is stunning, and the way they have it and the sail lit is amazing.”
    The building was reminiscent of a ship in form, with a solar shade that opened and closed. When it was open, it made the building look like it was under sail. The effect was stunning under the lights.
    He couldn’t have agreed more. He stayed close to Hans as they crossed the rest of the way and stepped down the stairs to enter the museum lobby. The open space glittered with crystal centerpieces and light that seemed to come from everywhere. The actual museum was closed, but that didn’t matter. The evening held an excitement that Malcolm couldn’t help feeling. Malcolm took their coats to the check and then returned to where Hans waited and escorted him over to the table the firm had