The judge allowed him to confer with Dale. After a brief recess, he said his client could not explain the address. Walt then presented Arlene’s sworn statement and the towing-yard record showing Dale had collected Luke’s land-trust envelope.
Dale stood.
“Mom doesn’t know what she saw.”
The judge instructed him to allow his lawyer to speak. Dale sat down, his face red, while his attorney requested additional time to investigate the documents.
The judge did not resolve every issue surrounding the letter that morning. She did, however, state that Dale had failed to establish a sound basis for continuing to burden my recorded title with his claim. She ordered the notice lifted while the case continued and directed both sides to preserve the original documents.
Outside the courthouse, Arlene waited for me near the steps.
“I know this doesn’t make up for what I let happen,” she said.
“It doesn’t,” I replied. “But you told the truth today.”
She nodded, accepting both statements.
Over the next several weeks, Dale’s lawyer withdrew the property claim after the documents were examined further. Investigators also began examining the envelope and the letter submitted to the court. I gave statements and answered questions, then returned to the work Luke and I had begun.
