Chapter 5 - The Legal Battlefield
The next three weeks were a masterclass in deception. I played the role of the broken, compliant grandfather to perfection. When Arthur's assistant called to confirm the receipt of the signed documents, I feigned confusion and grief, ensuring they believed I had no idea what I was signing.
Behind the scenes, Thomas and I were working with the district attorney. The DA, a sharp woman named Sarah Higgins, was floored by the evidence. The toxicology report, the audio recordings, the financial trails, and Rose’s video testimony painted a watertight case of wire fraud, insurance fraud, and negligent homicide.
"We have enough to arrest him right now," DA Higgins said during a covert meeting at her office.
"No," I insisted, looking her in the eye. "My daughter suffered in silence for months while he paraded his mistress around and planned his new life. He humiliated my granddaughters at their mother's funeral. I want maximum exposure. I want his high-society friends, his business partners, and his new bride to see exactly what he is."
Higgins smiled thinly. "You want to crash the wedding."
"I want to burn it to the ground."
Meanwhile, Arthur was growing increasingly bold. Believing he now owned the Savannah house and that the two-million-dollar insurance payout was mere days away from clearing, he began spending recklessly. He bought Elena a new sports car. He upgraded their honeymoon suite in the Maldives. He was floating on a cloud of stolen money and blood.
The girls were healing, day by day. Lucy, relieved of her terrible secret, began to act like a twelve-year-old again. She joined a local soccer team. Rachel started painting, filling my house with bright, colorful canvases that chased away the gloom. Little April followed me around the garden, helping me plant new roses in honor of her mother.
They never asked about their father. It was as if they had collectively decided that Arthur had died alongside Rose.
Two days before the wedding, Arthur called me again.
"Charles," he said, sounding annoyed. "The insurance company is being difficult. They said the funds are being held up in processing. Have you received any mail from them?"
"Nothing, Arthur," I lied smoothly. "I'm sure it's just bureaucratic red tape."
"Whatever. Look, the wedding is on Saturday. Don't bother calling or texting, my phone will be off. And keep the girls away from the club. Elena doesn't want any 'pity party' vibes on her special day."
"Don't worry, Arthur," I said softly. "The girls won't be anywhere near you. Enjoy your day."
I hung up the phone and looked at Thomas, who was polishing his best suit.
May you like
"Everything is set?" I asked.
Thomas grinned, snapping his briefcase shut. "The warrants are signed. The police are on standby. The trust documents are notarized and ready to be served. Charles, my friend... it is going to be a beautiful wedding."
