“It’s done,” Alexander said, looking at the boys as they drank their cocoa. “The temporary restraining order has been signed by a judge.”

“And the board?” I asked, sitting down across from him.

“The board is finalizing the transition,” Alexander said. “My mother has been stripped of her security clearances and her access to all corporate properties.”

He took a sip of his tea, his eyes reflecting the soft light of the kitchen.

“But that is only the beginning,” Alexander said. “We are filing criminal charges tomorrow morning.”

“On what grounds?” I asked.

“Falsifying medical records,” Alexander said. “The clinic in Zurich has already agreed to turn over the original files from eight years ago.”

I felt a chill go through me at the mention of Zurich.

“They kept the records?” I asked.

“They kept everything,” Alexander said. “My mother paid them to issue a false diagnosis of permanent infertility to me, and to deliver a falsified report to you.”

He looked down at his tea, his fingers tightening around the warm ceramic mug.