Chapter 6: The Hearing
Daniel entered the courthouse conference room carrying Martin’s flash drive and the original bank statements.
Brenda sat opposite us with Elaine and an attorney named Mr.
Pritchard.
Mr.
Pritchard slid the lease toward the judge.
“My clients have occupied the property for eight months and possess a valid five-year agreement.”
“It is not valid,” I said.
“I never signed it.”
Brenda leaned forward.
“Catherine forgets things.
That’s why Dr.
Vale recommended help.”
Daniel placed the medical letter beside the lease.
“Dr.
Vale has never examined my client.”
Mr.
Pritchard raised one eyebrow.
“The letter says otherwise.”
The door opened, and a woman in blue scrubs entered.
Daniel introduced her as Dr.
Vale’s office manager, Serena Cole.
Serena faced the judge.
“Our office did not issue that letter.
The letterhead is outdated, the signature is copied, and Dr.
Vale was in Scotland on the date shown.”
Elaine gripped Brenda’s arm.
Mr.
Pritchard whispered, “You told me the physician signed it.”
“He did,” Brenda said.
Serena shook her head.
“He did not.”
Daniel then played the recording from Martin’s office.
Elaine’s voice spoke clearly about making me look confused.
“That recording was obtained illegally,” Brenda snapped.
Martin stood.
“It came from my business telephone system.
My wife knew the calls were archived.”
Elaine turned toward him.
“You would humiliate your family for her?”
“You used my seal and copied my signature,” he replied.
“Do not ask me to protect that.”
The judge removed her glasses.
“Mrs.
Hale, did your daughter-in-law change the locks?”
“Yes.”
“Were your belongings placed outside?”
“Yes.
I have photographs and video.”
Brenda rose.
“She invited us to live there.
We decorated, paid bills, and prepared a nursery.
Now she is throwing us out because she cannot accept that I’m pregnant.”
I looked directly at her.
“I am not rejecting your child.
I am rejecting what you did.”
“You’ll never see that baby if you continue this.”
Mr.
Pritchard caught her sleeve.
“Sit down.”
“No,” Brenda said.
“She needs to understand what she’s choosing.”
“I am choosing not to be robbed in my own home.”
The judge struck the table with her pen.
“Enough.
The temporary order is dissolved.
Mrs.
Hale is granted immediate access and exclusive control of the property pending further proceedings.”
Brenda’s face emptied.
“The disputed lease, transfer application, medical letter, and loan documents will be referred for investigation,” the judge continued.
“Neither defendant may remove or destroy property.”
Outside the courtroom, Brenda blocked my path.
“Drop this,” she whispered.
“I’ll repay ten thousand dollars, and Brandon will stay in your life.”
“My son is not currency.”
“He’ll choose me.”
“That is his choice.”
She stepped closer.
“Then you’ll lose your grandchild too.”
Martin moved between us.
“That is enough, Brenda.”
Daniel’s phone rang.
He listened, then looked at me.
“The bank’s investigator checked the original loan file,” he said.
“The missing notebook page was scanned and submitted as proof Catherine could afford the payments.”
I turned toward Brandon.
His pocket was empty, but paper dust clung to his coat sleeve.
Daniel lowered his voice.
May you like
“There’s more.
Security footage shows Brandon delivering the application himself.”
