Chapter 6
Diane’s lawyer produced the guardianship consultation file under discovery after Maya threatened to seek it formally.
The contents were not illegal.
That almost made them worse.
Diane had asked questions.
What happened if a parent controlling a minor beneficiary became emotionally unstable?
Could a court appoint an independent property guardian?
Could a trustee be forced to sell trust property if keeping it became financially unreasonable?
Could evidence of violent behavior affect Naomi’s authority?
The attorney had answered carefully.
Possibly.
Depending on facts.
No guarantees.
No secret weapon.
Courts did not remove competent parents because relatives preferred another real-estate strategy.
But Diane had clearly been exploring the path.
One note dated four days before the barbecue read:
Client believes conflict may escalate at family gathering. Asked what documentation would be useful.
Naomi stared at Maya.
“She planned this.”
Maya corrected her.
“She anticipated conflict.”
“Why are you defending her?”
“I’m defending the difference between suspicion and proof.”
Naomi hated that answer.
Then accepted it.
They needed more.
Owen called with another discovery.
Westline’s reservation agreement contained a deadline.
Thirty days.
If the trust did not begin formal sale negotiations by then, the developer could cancel and demand reimbursement of certain planning expenses.
Who had guaranteed those expenses?
Hale Property Strategies.
Robert’s company.
Up to $180,000.
Naomi understood instantly.
“If the deal dies, my father owes them money.”
“Yes.”
“He couldn’t afford that.”
“Probably not.”
“So he needed the sale.”
“Yes.”
“Carla needed it.”
“Yes.”
“And Diane wanted it.”
“Yes.”
Three adults.
Three motives.
One child’s trust.
That evening Naomi sat beside Lily while the girl watched cartoons.
She noticed Lily rubbing the bruise.
“Still hurt?”
“A little.”
Naomi kissed her forehead.
Then Lily said:
“Aunt Carla said you would go away.”
Naomi’s chest tightened.
She kept her voice neutral.
“When did she say that?”
“Before BBQ.”
Naomi waited.
Lily continued.
“She said Grandma would take care of me when you got in trouble.”
Naomi felt rage arrive so quickly that she had to stand.
She walked into the kitchen before Lily could see her face.
That statement connected the property issue to the child directly.
Carla had been talking about Naomi “getting in trouble” before the assault.
May you like
The theory was becoming harder to ignore.
Someone expected the barbecue to produce evidence against Naomi.
