Chapter 7: The Voice the Court Finally Heard
The hearing began at nine the next morning.
Dad sat beside Serena Cole, the attorney Malcolm had contacted before dawn.
Karen sat with Evan at the opposite table.
The judge looked over her glasses.
“Mr.
Reeves, why are you seated behind the respondent?”
“I am here as a witness, Your Honor.”
Evan stood.
“Before we begin, I need to correct the record.”
Karen grabbed his sleeve.
“Sit down.”
He removed her hand.
“My client gave me documents I believed were authentic.
Evidence obtained last night raises serious concerns.”
“You are supposed to represent me,” Karen hissed.
“I am not required to repeat a lie.”
Serena placed the unsigned power of attorney on the evidence table.
“Jack Dalton says he never signed this document.
The notary whose seal appears on the second version says she never witnessed it.”
Karen rose.
“Jack forgets things.”
Dad looked directly at the judge.
“I forget where I put my keys.
I do not forget giving away my home.”
Serena handed over Dr.
Patel’s evaluation.
“Jack was examined six weeks ago.
He has no diagnosis that prevents him from managing his affairs.”
Karen shook her head.
“That doctor only saw him for forty minutes.”
“And Dr.
Samuel Greer?” the judge asked.
Evan stood again.
“I cannot locate a licensed physician by that name at the address on the letter.”
Karen’s chair scraped backward.
“This is a setup.”
Nora stepped into the witness box.
Her phone was connected to the courtroom speakers.
“Did you alter this recording?” Serena asked.
“No.”
“Did Karen know your camera was operating?”
“I don’t believe so.”
Karen’s recorded voice filled the room.
“Rick already approved the sale.
Sign this, and no one will make you leave before Christmas.”
Dad shut his eyes.
I reached forward and placed my hand on his shoulder.
Karen pointed at Nora.
“She has hated me for years.”
Nora did not look away.
“I barely knew you until you frightened my neighbor.”
Malcolm testified next.
He showed the transfer from the developer to KRB Holdings and the overdue mortgage notices Karen had hidden.
“The deposit entered Karen’s account,” he said.
“Forty-two thousand dollars left it within twenty-four hours.”
“For what?” Serena asked.
“Personal investment debts.”
Karen stood.
“That money was going back.”
“With what funds?” Malcolm asked.
She had no answer.
Evan placed his tablet on the evidence table.
“I received an email from Karen three days before the petition was filed.”
Karen stared at him.
“Don’t.”
He read it aloud.
“‘Use the older signature page.
Dad’s scan looks weak, but the court only needs enough to pause Rick.’”
The judge removed her glasses.
“Ms.
Dalton, did you write that?”
Karen looked at me instead.
“You did this,” she said.
“If you had put me first once, none of this would have happened.”
“I put my father between you and something that was never yours.”
A court officer moved beside her as she snatched up her phone.
“I need to make a call.”
The judge raised one hand.
“You will remain where you are.”
Serena stood.
“We request immediate cancellation of the guardianship order, a freeze on the property transfer, and preservation of every device connected to KRB Holdings.”
“Granted,” the judge said.
Dad’s breath left him in a trembling rush.
The judge continued.
“The documents will be referred for investigation.
The developer is prohibited from closing, and Karen Dalton may not contact Jack Dalton or enter his property.”
Karen’s phone slipped from her hand.
The court officer caught it before it struck the floor.
“You cannot take that.”
“It is being preserved under the court’s order.”
Karen turned toward the door, but the officer blocked her path.
Her eyes found Dad.
“I only wanted the life Rick should have given me.”
Dad stood with my hand beneath his arm.
“No, Karen,” he said.
“You wanted my life because yours was not enough.”
The officer escorted her through the side door.
Just before it closed, Karen looked back at me.
“When this family falls apart, remember that you chose him.”
I held Dad upright.
May you like
“No,” I said.
“You made me choose the truth.”
