Chapter 8 - Victor’s first explanation
Victor sat behind a desk large enough to conduct diplomacy across.
I brought Daniel’s handwritten score.
He did not touch it.
I said:
“You used his music.”
Victor replied:
“Daniel and I developed material together for years.”
“Not this.”
“He played it for me because we were discussing development.”
“Development is not ownership.”
Victor’s eyes hardened.
Then he slid a document toward me.
A contract dated three years earlier.
Daniel’s general services agreement.
It included language granting Blackwood Arts:
“all right, title, and interest in musical material created in connection with services.”
Victor said:
“My attorneys believe the material falls within the agreement.”
I read.
The Lantern Sea had been written partly during a period Daniel was also working on Blackwood commissions.
But outside invoices.
Outside specific assignments.
No project number.
No written request.
The clause was broad.
Too broad, my later lawyer would say.
But not obviously meaningless.
I asked:
“Why didn’t you credit him?”
Victor said:
“Because the released work is not The Lantern Sea.”
“You know what you took.”
His face changed.
Then:
“Nora, if you litigate this, it will cost money you do not have and years you cannot get back.”
There.
Not threat of violence.
Economic truth used as intimidation.
“What do you want?”
I hated that I asked.
Victor answered:
“For Chloe to be secure. For you to be secure. For Daniel’s work to remain respected without turning into a lawsuit.”
May you like
Then he offered me a settlement.
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