She removed a sealed envelope from the bottom of the folder.
Victor shot to his feet.
“Don’t let her open that envelope!”
The judge looked up sharply.
“Mr. Hale, sit down.”
“You don’t understand what’s in there!”
“Then I suggest you allow the court to understand it.”
Victor remained standing for another second before slowly lowering himself into his chair.
Melissa was no longer looking at me with amusement.
She was staring at the envelope.
So was Richard Cole.
Grace held it carefully.
“Your Honor, this envelope was discovered in a safe-deposit box maintained by Mr. Hale’s former accountant, Daniel Brooks. Mr. Brooks passed away last year. Before his death, he left written instructions that these documents should be delivered to my client if the ownership of Hale’s restaurant group was ever disputed.”
Victor’s lips parted.
“Brooks is dead,” he whispered.
“Yes,” Grace answered. “But he left a signed affidavit, notarized copies of financial records, and a letter explaining why he kept these documents.”
