My son and daughter-in-law laughed when I walked into the courtroom. “Ha-ha, now we’re going to leave her with nothing,” Daniel whispered, certain the bruises they had put on my body would convince the judge I was confused, unstable, and hurting myself, but they had forgotten one important thing about me.

Bellweather executives had shouted almost the same thing.

 

Numbers don’t twist.

People do.

Judge Mercer waited until Daniel sat.

Then he turned to me.

“Continue.”

“The forged power of attorney was used three times.”

Vanessa looked at Daniel again.

“What?”

He whispered, “Not now.”

I heard him.

So did everyone near us.

“The first attempt was to access my investment account. It failed. The second was a request for information regarding my life insurance policies. That succeeded.”

I let the room absorb that.

“The third was submitted to a real estate broker.”

Judge Mercer frowned.

“For what purpose?”

“To prepare my house for sale.”

Vanessa began shaking her head.

“No. No, he told me Eleanor agreed to move.”

Daniel whispered, “Shut up.”

Every eye turned toward them.

Vanessa stared at her husband.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

“You said she agreed to the condo.”

Judge Mercer spoke.

“Mrs. Vance?”