Chapter 9
The full property audit discovered Jocelyn had done more than ask questions.
She had commissioned a private appraisal.
Not for the entire house.
For the trust’s fifty-percent interest.
Why?
Because if North Coast decided the property no longer served Emmett’s residential purpose, Declan could theoretically buy the trust’s half instead of selling to Bramwell.
Jocelyn wanted to know whether he could afford it.
Her financial adviser prepared an estimate.
Declan could buy Emmett’s share.
But doing so quickly would require selling part of his Winslow Industries stock or taking a large personal loan.
Jocelyn wrote:
He won’t liquidate company shares for a house once E is settled elsewhere.
Confidence.
Then:
If trust wants cash and D refuses buyout, partition/sale becomes practical.
She was correct in broad terms.
Not automatic.
But practical.
Then the audit traced her Alder Lane investment.
Jocelyn’s upside from the Bramwell redevelopment could reach approximately $540,000 if the Winslow parcel joined the assembly.
Still not enormous compared with Declan’s wealth.
But another payment existed.
Alder Lane had offered Jocelyn a consulting agreement.
If the parcel closed:
$250,000 “design strategy fee” for the redevelopment’s interiors.
Drafted.
Unsigned.
No work performed yet.
Total personal upside could approach $800,000.
Useful motive.
Still incomplete.
Then investigators found a loan.
Jocelyn’s design firm owed $1.1 million under a personally guaranteed business facility.
Not yet in default.
The lender had reduced its credit line after two clients left.
Jocelyn had six months to pay down $600,000.
The Bramwell-linked proceeds would solve most of it.
Now money mattered more.
But Dana remained dissatisfied.
“Eight hundred thousand explains why she wanted the sale.”
Declan nodded.
“It doesn’t explain why she risked prison.”
Exactly.
Then Maribel produced the final clue.
Before Declan came home that evening, Jocelyn had packed two different sets of Emmett’s belongings.
One bag contained:
Three days of clothes.
Stuffed dog.
Blanket.
Toiletries.
Backpack.
The kind of bag a child might take if his father removed him immediately.
The second set was boxed in the garage.
Winter clothes.
Books.
School records.
Medical binder.
Items labeled:
Hawthorne
The kind of belongings sent with a child entering a long-term residential program.
Dana stared at the two inventories.
“Two exit plans.”
Declan looked at her.
Yes.
If Declan cooperated:
Hawthorne Ridge.
If Declan exploded and took Emmett away:
Immediate family separation.
Either way, Emmett stopped sleeping in the house.
Then Jocelyn’s laptop produced two draft notices to North Coast.
One:
Residential treatment placement notification.
The other:
Safety-related relocation notification.
Both requested the same thing.
May you like
Commencement of principal-residence review.
Both were drafted before Declan found Emmett on the porch.
