Chapter 9: The Hearing
The courtroom was smaller than I expected.
I had imagined something grander, somehow.
High ceilings.
Long benches.
The kind of room that announced its own importance.
Instead it was a compact, carpeted chamber on the fourth floor of a building that smelled of old paper and central heating.
Nathan's attorney was already at the opposing table when I arrived with Daniel.
He was younger than I'd expected.
He kept his eyes on his documents.
Nathan was not there.
His attorney had filed for him to appear by written submission.
Daniel had told me this might happen.
It meant Nathan had decided that the footage — his hand striking my face, the marble floor, the witnesses — was more damaging in person than anything a written submission could do.
He was probably right.
The judge was a woman in her sixties.
She read through the documents without expression for twelve minutes.
I counted.
Then she looked up.
"Counsel for the respondent," she said, looking at Nathan's attorney.
"Your client has withdrawn his claim to the secondary beneficiary designation.
Is that withdrawal unconditional?"
"It is, Your Honour."
"And the share transfer document bearing the claimant's signature — your client's position is that this document was prepared without the claimant's knowledge?"
A pause.
"My client's position is that he was acting on advice he now believes was incorrect."
The judge looked at him for a moment.
"That is not an answer to my question."
Another pause.
Shorter this time.
"The document was prepared without the claimant's direct participation.
Yes."
The judge turned to Daniel.
"The forensic report is unambiguous?"
"Entirely, Your Honour.
The signature was produced using a digitally reproduced scan of the claimant's handwriting.
The original documents from 1987 confirm the secondary beneficiary designation requires the signatures of both living parents.
Only one signature was obtained.
The designation is invalid on its face."
The judge looked down at the papers again.
Then at me.
"Ms.
Hale." She used my grandfather's name.
Not Voss.
"Is there anything you wish to add before I rule?"
I stood.
"No, Your Honour," I said.
"The documents speak for themselves."
She nodded once.
"The share transfer is void.
The secondary beneficiary designation is invalid.
The claimant's shareholder status is confirmed and shall be reflected in the company register no later than five p.m.
today." She removed her glasses.
"I am also referring the matter of the falsified transfer document to the fraud division for further investigation.
And the matter of the death certificate to the relevant authority." She looked at Nathan's attorney.
"Your client should expect to hear from both."
Nathan's attorney gathered his papers.
He didn't look up.
Outside in the hallway, Daniel shook my hand.
A proper handshake, both hands.
"It's done," he said.
"Not entirely." I looked toward the window at the end of the corridor.
"The fraud referral.
How long before they move on it?"
"Weeks, maybe.
But they will move.
The recording from the Meridian Club alone—" He stopped himself.
"Emma.
Today is a win.
Let it be a win."
I looked at him.
"It is," I said.
"I just want to make sure it's a complete one."
My phone buzzed in my bag.
I looked at the screen.
A message from Celeste.
*I heard.
I'm glad.
I'm sorry it took me so long to send Patricia to your door.
I should have done it sooner.
— C*
I read it twice.
Then I typed back two words.
May you like
*Thank you.*
I meant it.
