Chapter 9: The Courtroom Severance
The courtroom of County Court Judge Evelyn Vance—again, no relation—was quiet, formal, and smelling of lemon polish and old paper.
I sat at the petitioner's table in a tailored charcoal suit. Across the aisle, Keaton sat with his public defender, his head bowed so low his chin touched his chest. Bernice sat two rows behind him, stripped of her expensive jewelry, looking old, frail, and utterly friendless.
Judge Vance opened the thick legal binder on her bench, scanning the signed agreements before looking down over her reading glasses.
"Mr. Vance," the judge spoke, her voice carrying the absolute gravity of the law. "I have before me a voluntary plea agreement and a complete civil settlement. Do you understand that by signing this, you plead guilty to one count of uttering a forged instrument, a felony, and that you permanently surrender any and all right, title, and equity interest in the property located at 402 Elmwood Terrace?"
Keaton stood up on shaky legs. "Yes, Your Honor."
"Furthermore," the judge continued, turning a page, "the court has reviewed the forensic evidence submitted by the petitioner. It is clear that the deed of trust filed by Apex Capital Lenders on November fourteenth was executed via fraudulent notarization and signature forgery while the co-owner, Clara Vance, was out of state."
The judge struck her pen against the ledger.
"I hereby order the Registrar of Deeds to expunge and void the fraudulent lien held by Apex Capital Lenders against the property. Title is restored to one hundred percent sole ownership under Clara Vance."
Bernice let out a low, pathetic whimper from the gallery.
"As for you, Mrs. Bernice Vance," the judge said, her gaze hardening as she looked past the rail. "The District Attorney has issued an order freezing the Delaware annuity account containing twenty-five thousand dollars of misappropriated loan proceeds. Those funds are hereby seized to pay restitution and court fines."
"That's my retirement!" Bernice cried out, forgetting where she was. "You can't leave me with nothing!"
"You left yourself with nothing the moment you conspired to steal from your daughter-in-law," Judge Vance replied coldly. She brought her gavel down with a sharp, echoing crack. "Case dismissed. Petition granted."
May you like
As I gathered my papers into my briefcase, Keaton turned toward me one last time. His lips moved as if he wanted to say goodbye, or perhaps apologize once more, but the bailiff took his arm to lead him toward the probation processing office.
I didn't watch him leave. I zipped my briefcase, shook Marcus's hand, and walked out the double doors of the courtroom into the bright morning light.
