Late-night phone calls were rarely good news.
Not to mention that the Prime Minister was a man of considerable social influence. The more influential a person was, the less likely anyone was to disturb him in the middle of the night. Besides, he was an old man.
He listened to the voice on the phone. The message was brief. Then he hung up and called the butler.
Although the butler also lived in the house, they were not on the same floor. Besides, the Prime Minister did not want to walk to the butler's door, knock, and then have him go to the entrance to collect something.
The phone rang only once before it was answered. The butler's voice sounded somewhat tired. "Sorry to disturb your rest so late. Could you bring the documents by the door to my study?"
"It is my honor to serve you, Master."
The Prime Minister hung up, sat there for another ten or so seconds, then leaned over and kissed his wife on the forehead. He draped a coat over himself and left the bedroom.
Five minutes later, the neatly dressed butler appeared in the study carrying a briefcase.
"Put it here..." The Prime Minister put on his Reading Glasses and pointed to the desktop in front of him.
After setting it down, the butler went to prepare coffee and pastries for him. If the Prime Minister was not sleeping, neither could he. He had to remain by the Prime Minister's side at all times to deal with any sudden situation.
The Prime Minister looked at the brown calfskin briefcase and pushed its brass clasp. With a click, the briefcase opened its mouth, revealing a stack of documents inside.
He took them out and read them carefully.
They had just been sent back from