K. Janssen - Hampton Manor

Adam Hampton II hatched an escape plan that would require an award winning performance on his part. These fools want “E”, well I’ll give them what they want. He pressed the button that summoned John. When John entered his room, the act began.

“John, the other day you asked me about “E”. I think I know how to find out who it is, but I will need to talk to my attorney, Nelson Platt. He knows things that no one else knows. Attorney privilege will prevent him from disclosing anything to anyone other than me, so I must have a private meeting with him. I’m sure that if I could have a few minutes with him we could clear up this “E” thing right away. Will you arrange it?”

John was quick to respond. This was the break they had been waiting for. “I will have to clear that with your son, but I don’t see why he would object. He seems a bit anxious to help you find out who “E” is.”

“Do the best you can, John. I want to help as much as I can.”

As he left the room, John replied, “I will. Thanks for telling me about it.”

John went immediately to Adam’s den to fill him in on this latest development.“He wants to speak with his attorney. He says that Nelson Platt can help him remember who “E” is. He seemed pretty sure that that would work.”

Adam thought for a moment before responding. Now what do I do? Nelson Platt, of all people. He fought me tooth and nail during the competency hearings. I threw him out of the Manor and threatened him with disbarment if I ever saw his face anywhere near my dad. This is an unforeseen predicament. I don’t like the idea, but Chuck doesn’t seem to be making any progress with his investigation. I guess I’m going to have to take a chance with Nelson Platt .I don’t see any downside in it.

“ I’ll handle it from here. Tell my father that I’m looking into it. Thanks again for your discretion, John. These are difficult times. I wish we knew how to really help dad.”

“No problem, I just want what is best for your father.”

“As do I, John, as do I.”

His father worked on the rest of his plan. He chose the bathroom in the West Wing where there were no video camera, to construct a note that he planned to smuggle to Nelson Platt. He was confident that the carrot he was dangling in front of his son would be sufficient to give him that opportunity. He wasn’t sure if the ultra-sensitive microphones in the bathroom could isolate the sound of a pen or pencil against paper, but he wasn’t going to take any more risks than necessary. If his attempt at freedom was discovered, he knew that they would return to daily medication aimed at pacifying him.

He chose as his paper, a blank page from the back of a novel, one that he selected with his body blocking the overhead cameras while he performed the dissection. His writing instrument was a felt tip pen that one of the nurses had carelessly left behind during his last physical exam. These were the only tools he would need.

The message required some thought. How do I convince Nelson that my note is not the ramblings of a senile old man? There is no love lost between Adam and him, but still, Nelson is a realist. I’m sure he wouldn’t expose me, but he may choose to ignore my appeal for what he would view as my own good. Still, he’s the last chance I have. I’ll make it as short as I can and avoid any sign of desperation. He wrote the message, folded the paper into quarters and put it into his back pocket. He flushed the toilet and pushed the pen in between the tank and the wall in case he would need it at a future time .

Much to Adam III’s surprise Nelson Platt agreed to come to Hampton Manor for a meeting the next day, at noon. Pratt was in his late seventies and had been retired for several years. Time did little to diminish his stature. He was six-four, lean and lithe. A shock of gray hair surrounded a jet-black mane, giving him a very distinguished look. He hadn’t changed much since Adam had seen him last.

He greeted him at the front door and escorted him to his den. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“I’ll pass. I’m anxious to meet with your father. Adam was a client, but I always considered him a friend as well. I was happy to hear that he wanted me to visit.”

“We’ll get to that in a minute. First I would like you to scan the results of his latest physical exam. It’s important that you understand his condition before you see him. He’s making some progress, but occasionally he has episodes which set him back. Try not to make any promises to him without clearing them with me first.”

“I agree.” The attorney spent several minutes looking over the report, before he spoke, “It looks as if he has made some significant progress of late.”

“Yes, but there are still some issues that he is struggling with. That’s why I asked you to come. He’s trying to remember something in particular which seems to be a missing link for him. It goes back to the ’70’s and has something to do with someone he met several times. Someone he remembers only as “E”.

Platt showed no signs of recognition, but his instant recall immediately flashed the name Evelyn Littleton onto his memory screen. So this is what this is all about.

Adam continued, “I realize that there may be an attorney/client privilege involved here, so I won’t ask you if that initial means anything to you. My father wants to meet with you and I will honor his request.” That said, Adam rose, escorted Platt to the den in the West Wing and returned to his own den to await the results. He would find out everything he need to know later, when he reviewed the tapes of the meeting. He thought to himself, I sure hope this works. I need to get to the bottom of this mystery heir business.

When Adam II entered the den, he made immediate eye contact with Nelson that the attorney recognized as a warning sign to be careful of what he said. Platt greeted him with a big hug. Adam whispered softly as soon as he was close enough. “I have to whisper. They have microphones everywhere. When we shake hands later, I’m going to slip you a note. Please believe everything that’s in it. When I ask about “E”, tell me that you recall the actress Eleanor Bentley in the early ’70’s. This is important to me, Nel.”

They broke the hug and took chairs opposite one another. Platt spoke first, “It’s really great to see you again, my friend. How are you feeling, my friend?”

“I’m feeling better. I still have a problem remembering some things, but the doctor say that my condition is much improved.”

“I’m so glad to hear that. I retired two years ago and regretfully I’ve lost touch with many of my good friends. I especially miss you. I inquired a few times, but that son of yours wouldn’t allow any visits. After a while I stopped trying. I would have really enjoyed sitting with you reminiscing about the old days. You really kept me hopping.”

Adam smiled. “It’s funny you should mention the old days. Part of my recovery is based on my recalling events in my life. Occasionally I hit a brick wall, like the other day. The letter “E” came up. Apparently, in my mind, I’m blocking the name of someone whose first or last name starts with ‘E’. I don’t know if it was a business associate, a lover or what and I can’t figure out why, in my mind I reduced the name to a single letter. What am I trying to hide from myself? Can you help me jog my memory?”

As an attorney, Nelson Platt had a flair for the dramatic. He smiled and shook his head. “Adam, I know you had a lot of women in your lifetime, but I can’t believe you forgot Eleanor that easily. Eleanor Bentley, the actress. You had a fling with her that I had to fight tooth and nail to keep out of the papers. She was a real looker, that one. She used to sweep into town for a few hours at a time disguised as young man. You used my apartment for your little affairs.” He smiled again, seemingly recalling the times. “I sure envied you, but at least I was able to buy a new ‘74 Mercedes with the fees you paid me to keep everything hushed up. Don’t you remember anything about those days? I don’t see how you could ever forget Eleanor.”