Chapter 9: Monday Morning
Grace's office was on the fourth floor of a building three blocks from the county courthouse.
It was a plain office — good furniture, no art on the walls, a window that looked out onto a side street.
Lucy had expected something more imposing.
She found she preferred this.
They arrived at eight-thirty.
Grace was already at her desk.
"Julian's attorney called this morning," Grace said, without looking up from her papers.
"Forty minutes ago.
They want to discuss a settlement."
Lucy sat down.
"Already?"
"The forensic report landed in their inbox Friday evening.
They've had the weekend to read it." Grace looked up.
"His attorney is smart.
She knows what they're facing.
A settlement offer this early usually means the other side has done the math and doesn't like the answer."
"What are they offering?"
"They haven't given numbers yet.
They want a call first." Grace folded her hands on the desk.
"My recommendation is that we file at nine as planned.
Let them watch us walk into the courthouse.
Then we take their call at noon."
"Why?"
"Because every hour we delay filing, Julian has hope that you'll negotiate instead of fight.
The moment we file, that hope is gone.
And people without hope make different decisions." Grace looked at her steadily.
"We want him making decisions from a position of no hope."
Lucy nodded.
They filed at 9:04.
Grace's paralegal handed the clerk the documents.
Lucy stood beside Grace and watched the clerk stamp the filing date.
It was a small motion — a rubber stamp, an ink pad, a date.
It felt larger than that.
At 9:47, Julian's attorney called Grace's mobile.
Grace put it on speaker.
She looked at Lucy and gave a small nod.
"Ms.
Holloway." The voice was professional and careful.
"Thank you for taking my call.
I'll be direct.
My client acknowledges that the property transfer documentation has significant problems.
He is prepared to discuss a full reversal of the deed in exchange for a withdrawal of the criminal referral."
"The criminal referral is not mine to withdraw," Grace said.
"It's in the DA's hands."
A pause.
"My client is also prepared to discuss financial restitution for the period during which Ms.
Vance was without access to the property."
"What figure is your client proposing?"
Another pause.
Longer.
"He's prepared to offer eighty thousand dollars."
Lucy looked at Grace.
Grace's expression did not change.
"Ms.
Holloway," Grace said.
"My client was denied access to a property valued at approximately three point two million dollars for fourteen months.
She incurred documented losses including vehicle sale, personal property pawned, educational withdrawal, and medical debt.
She also suffered two years of deliberate financial and emotional deception, supported by a forged legal instrument and a recorded threat made against her grandfather." Grace paused.
"Eighty thousand dollars is not a serious number."
Silence on the line.
"What would Ms.
Vance consider serious?"
Grace looked at Lucy.
Lucy leaned forward slightly toward the phone.
"Full deed reversal," she said.
"Documented and filed within five business days.
Return of all personal property wrongfully retained at the Pinecrest address, including items belonging to my late mother.
Restitution of four hundred and twenty thousand dollars, which my attorney will itemize.
And a signed statement from Julian Vance acknowledging the forgery, for use in any subsequent proceedings."
A very long silence.
"I'll need to consult with my client," the attorney said.
"Of course," Grace said.
"We're available until three."
She ended the call.
Lucy sat back.
"Four hundred and twenty thousand," she said.
"Is that realistic?"
"It's the documented figure," Grace said.
"Two years of lost property income at fair market rental value, plus your itemized personal losses, plus a conservative pain and suffering estimate." She picked up her pen.
"His attorney knows the number is defensible.
That's why she went quiet."
At 2:17 in the afternoon, Julian's attorney called back.
She accepted all terms except the signed statement.
Grace looked at Lucy.
"The statement," Lucy said.
"I want the statement."
Grace spoke into the phone.
"The statement is non-negotiable."
Another silence.
"My client will sign a statement acknowledging that the transfer documentation contained irregularities and that he takes full responsibility for those irregularities."
"The word forgery must appear in the statement," Grace said.
The longest silence yet.
"Agreed," the attorney said.
"In exchange, we ask that Ms.
Vance make no public statements about the matter."
Grace looked at Lucy.
Lucy thought about it.
"I agree," she said.
"I don't need to say anything publicly.
The record says it for me."
They signed the settlement agreement at 4:45 that afternoon, in Grace's office, with a notary present.
Julian was not there.
His attorney signed on his behalf.
When it was done, Grace's paralegal brought in four cups of coffee.
Grace took hers and looked out the window at the side street below.
"The DA meeting is still on for Wednesday," she said.
"The settlement doesn't affect the criminal referral.
That's the DA's call."
"I know," Lucy said.
"You understand that means Julian may still face charges regardless of today."
"I know," Lucy said again.
May you like
She picked up her coffee.
"Good," she said.
