“That’s amazing,” I say, shaking my head in disbelief.
“Isn’t it? They’re very well organized.”
“So that’s it?” I ask. “There’s nothing more to be done.”
“Not really. My father talked to his lawyer, and they decided that at the end of the day there wasn’t much of a chance, and that it would be an awful process. I guess they even talked to the police down on the Cape. That’s where the ashram is. Did I tell you that?”
“No.”
“I can’t keep track. Anyway, evidently we’re not the only ones with this problem. The police told my father that several other parents had tried similar tactics unsuccessfully. The police say they’ve investigated, and it doesn’t appear that anyone is being held in the ashram against his will.”
“And you’ve not heard from him since?”
“No. I mean yes. Oh, whatever,” s
