“Council, you’re going to want to sit down.”
My brother’s attorney did sit down slowly, like his knees didn’t want to bend, but he didn’t stay quiet. Your honor, he said, leaning forward again. With respect, this is turning into a collateral dispute over a filing. Our petition is based on her mental state and her pattern of concealment. This court has authority to grant temporary protective control. Judge Merritt lifted one hand, palm out. Not angry, worse than angry. Decided. This court has authority to protect people from abuse of process. He said,
“Uh, right now I’m seeing a petitioner who filed a restriction under his own account using his company signature and then walked into my courtroom asking to transfer the very asset he restricted.”
He tapped the county log print out once as if tapping it made it heavier.
“That is not protective,” he continued. “That is leverage.”
My brother’s face had that tight, glossy look people get when their confidence starts to leak. It was a precaution, Evan said, voice controlled. She’s been erratic. She hides things. She The judge’s eyes didn’t leave him. You may stop repeating adjectives and start answering questions. My father cleared his throat in the front row. A small sound that was meant to reclaim attention. My mother leaned forward, lips pursed like she was about to perform disappointment. Evan’s attorney recovered and tried a new angle, softer, almost paternal. Your honor, the family is worried, that’s all. We can address the filing later, but in the meantime, we’re asking for a temporary order, control of her accounts, her property, and an evaluation. She’s unstable. She’s hiding assets. She may be a risk to herself. There it was. The institutional weapon they always reached for when they couldn’t win on paper. If they could label me unstable in a court record, they wouldn’t need to prove theft. They could just declare concern and take everything with a clean smile. Judge Merritt’s gaze flicked to me. Miss Lane, he said,
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