He moved his chair between the beds.

That evening a reporter left a message requesting comment on rumors of misconduct at the Bradley estate.

Kenneth’s communications team wanted a forceful denial.

He refused.

“Say the children are receiving medical care, that an independent investigation is underway, and that their privacy matters.

Nothing about theories we haven’t proved.”

For a man accustomed to commanding the story around him, restraint was a new kind of power.

I watched him practice it badly at first, then more successfully, as the days passed.