“Enough.”
He sat back slightly as if resetting the room. I am not granting any temporary order transferring assets today, he said firm. I am issuing preservation orders. Evans attorney snapped his head up. Your honor, Judge Merritt’s gaze stayed on him. You will preserve all communications, drafts, filings, and internal records related to this petition, including any involvement by Haleolding staff. You will not alter, delete, or modify anything. Do you understand me? The attorney swallowed.
“Yes, your honor.”
Judge Merritt looked at Evan. Mr. Hail, you will provide to this court through counsel the identity of any employee who assisted you with filings or authorizations connected to your sister’s property or accounts. Evans face was pale now, the well-off shine gone. Judge Merritt continued, voice measured. I am also issuing a referral to the county clerk’s fraud unit and requesting the bank preserve all audit trails related to the safe deposit authorization. He glanced at me. Miss Lane, do you have any additional documentation you intend to submit today? I looked at Evan, then at his attorney, then at my parents in the front row sitting so still they looked carved. Yes, I said. One more thing, and it’s why the inventory list matters. Judge Merritt nodded once. Proceed. I reached into my bag and placed one final sealed envelope on the clerk’s counter. Please add this to the record, I said calmly before the baiff reads item four. Judge Merritt didn’t even look surprised when the clerk took my sealed envelope. He looked tired, like he’d seen too many families walk in with a story and walk out with a record. Baiff, he said,
“Open it. Read only what is necessary for the record.”
The baleiff broke the seal with the same careful motion he’d used earlier, like paper could cut deeper than steel. He unfolded the page, scanned the header, and his face tightened in that quiet, professional way people get when they realize they’re holding something that doesn’t belong in a family dispute. Your honor, he said, I This is a certified exhibit from First Harbor Bank’s compliance department. It includes a notoriization journal extract and an identity verification certificate tied to the safe deposit authorization. Evans attorney shifted in his chair, suddenly too aware of where his hands were. Judge Merritt nodded once.
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