Chapter 6: Ten Minutes Before Midnight
Helen called the bank and put the conversation on speaker.
“This is Helen Ward, trustee of the Eleanor Rochester Legacy Trust.
Freeze transfer authorization ER-410.”
A man answered.
“The instruction carries Serena Hale’s verified signature and her husband’s legal authority.”
“That authority is disputed.”
“Then obtain a judicial order.”
Patrick checked his watch.
“Nine minutes.”
I stepped toward the phone.
“This is Serena Hale.
It is my money, and I do not authorize the transfer.”
The banker paused.
“Mrs.
Hale, Dr.
Vane has certified that you lack decision-making capacity.”
Patrick folded his arms.
“Tell them how confused you are,” he said.
Chloe opened another folder.
“Here—Patrick’s prenup drafts.”
Helen scanned the files.
“These were created eighteen months before Serena met Patrick.”
“So?” Patrick asked.
“The first draft identifies her as ‘the undisclosed Rochester beneficiary.’ You knew exactly who she was.”
Patrick reached for the laptop.
“Those files are fabricated.”
Chloe pulled it away.
“They came from your computer.”
“You had access.
You created them.”
“Seven minutes,” Gavin said.
Helen called Judge Lawson’s chambers.
The judge returned to the courtroom by video, still wearing his robe.
“What emergency requires this session?”
I moved in front of the camera.
“Your Honor, Patrick is attempting to transfer my trust while asking another court to declare me incompetent.”
Patrick leaned into view.
“The transfer is a protective investment authorized before today’s dispute.”
“Then why is the receiving company registered to you?” I asked.
“Because you asked me to manage our future.”
“Show me one message where I asked.”
Patrick raised the power of attorney.
“I have something better.”
The courtroom doors opened again.
A gray-haired man entered beside one of Gavin’s security officers.
Patrick’s hand lowered.
The man looked at me.
“My name is Daniel Price.
Patrick hired me to find you.”
“You accessed my foster records?”
“Yes.”
Patrick pointed at him.
“He accepted money to invent this story.”
Daniel removed a small recorder from his coat.
“You paid me to identify Gavin Rochester’s missing daughter,” he said.
“When I found Serena, you ordered me to erase my report.”
“You have no proof.”
Daniel pressed play.
Patrick’s recorded voice said, “If Gavin learns she’s alive before I marry her, the trust becomes impossible to control.”
No one moved.
Judge Lawson spoke first.
“Helen, send that recording to my clerk.
I am issuing an immediate stay on the transfer.”
The banker’s voice came through the speaker.
“Order received.
Transfer suspended with twenty-three seconds remaining.”
Patrick’s face emptied.
Then Dr.
Vane appeared in the doorway.
“I need to speak to the court,” he said.
Patrick recovered first.
“Doctor, tell them Serena is unstable.”
Dr.
Vane held up a medical file.
“I can’t.”
Patrick took one step toward him.
“We had an agreement.”
“Yes,” Dr.
Vane replied.
“And every word of it is in this file.”
A sharp pain tightened across my stomach.
May you like
I gripped the table and looked at Gavin.
“Dad,” I whispered, “I think the baby is coming.”
