She bunkers herself in at Wake Hall. Kenny’s body has been transferred to Craigan and quietly interred with Liv and his son. Again, there is no family who claim his body. She also pays off his debts.

  Christmas comes and goes. She sends everybody home except Ben and looks after the horses herself, if only to keep busy. Most of the time she just stares out of the windows or into the fire.

  Tom has renewed his contract, which is a relief. Both drivers have decided to stay with the team. Strathairn is well enough to work in England and help finding a new chief engineer. Slowly, about a week into the new year, the new season is becoming real. Right now, however, she is glad to lay it all off on Nicholas, with whom there are daily zoom meetings. It is ridiculous when she remembers that she hired him mainly for his public school vibes, and now he is her main barrier against the demands of the circus and the world at large.

  In the second week of January, Nicholas calls her at an unusual hour, late at night, this has never happened before. She accepts the call with a distinct feeling of unease. Nicholas’ face disturbes her even more. “What happened?”, she asks. No hello, no niceties. They like to communicate in a very direct manner.

  “Mori has left the gaol and is being flown to Japan right now.”

  It is weeks before his trial. “Oh. Why?”

  “He is very ill. They are letting him go home, to his home, actually, but he is a going to be a prisoner there.”

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  Faith is less surprised than she wants to admit. “What’s the diagnosis?”

  “Cancer of the pancreas. Final stages.”

  “So bad?”

  “I don’t know. I just thought you’d like to be informed.”

  “I appreciate it. Thank you.”

  Nicholas hesitates and then starts again. “This is bad news.”

  Faith tries to hear what he really wants while her own thoughts are racing around in her head. “He holds you in high esteem. He told me about your collaboration. If you want to go see him, why don’t you. If they let you, that is.”

  “Thank you. I will find out about that.”

  She seems to have been right. “Let me know. All the best, if you get through.”

  She does not have to wait long for further news. Nicholas calls her again after lunch on the next day.

  “He is in his house and cannot leave. He cannot have visitors. I’ve spoken to Ren – one of his lawyers.”

  Faith has only a vague idea who Ren is, but the way Nicholas has said the name, casually enough for a colleague, suggests more personal involvement. None of her business.

  “So he is a prisoner in his own home in Suzuka?”

  “That’s just about it. He can see his doctors, and his lawyers.”

  “Who is running his business?”

  “The lawyers, and Oliveira.”

  “That’s good. Thank you for the update. I’m sorry you cannot say good bye.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  She does not even put her phone away but immediately books a flight.