Curtis Hale’s office.
The courtroom became very quiet.
Hale rose sharply.
“I object to the implication.”
Judge Mercer looked at him.
“You may object after I understand what she is alleging.”
Hale sat.
His face no longer looked relaxed.
I continued.
“Someone at Mr. Hale’s office attempted to enter my investment portal three weeks before my son retained him.”
Daniel turned toward Hale.
That surprised me.
It also told me something important.
Daniel hadn’t known.
Vanessa had.
Her eyes never left the table.
Judge Mercer noticed.
“So how did Mr. Hale’s office have your account information?”
“That,” I said, “is an excellent question.”
Hale stood again.
“This hearing concerns competency, not speculative allegations.”
“No,” Judge Mercer said. “This hearing concerns whether I should give one person control over another person’s life and assets. I consider financial motive extremely relevant.”
Hale slowly returned to his chair.
I opened the red notebook.
“March 8. Daniel asked about the market value of my house.”
Daniel shook his head.
“Because I was worried about you.”
“March 12. Vanessa photographed the safe in Richard’s study.”
“I was cleaning!”
“March 16. An unauthorized password reset was requested on my brokerage account.”
No answer.
