Chapter 11 - The Subpoena and the Strategy
As my physical health improved, the legal battles began to escalate. The trial date for Evelyn and Richard was set for early November, exactly four months after my surgery.
The district attorney's office was not playing games. They wanted to make an example out of my parents. The charges were staggering: conspiracy to commit murder, medical fraud, financial extortion, and identity theft.
Arthur came to the penthouse on a rainy Tuesday afternoon, spreading thick legal binders across the marble dining table.
"The prosecution wants to depose you next week, Maya," Arthur said, handing me a cup of herbal tea. "They need your official statement on the record before the trial begins. The defense attorneys will be there. It won't be easy."
I took a sip of the tea, letting the warmth settle my stomach. "I can handle it. What are they trying to pull?"
"Evelyn's lawyer is going with the 'desperate mother' defense," Arthur explained, pointing to a document. "They are going to argue that Evelyn didn't actually intend to let you die, but rather that she was experiencing a severe psychological breakdown caused by the stress of your illness. They will claim the video was just 'venting' and not a literal plan."
I scoffed. "Venting? She had the life insurance paperwork sitting on the desk next to her."
"Exactly," Arthur smiled. "Which is why their defense is incredibly weak. However, Richard's lawyer is taking a different approach. Richard is completely throwing Evelyn under the bus."
Chloe, who was sitting on the sofa reviewing our trust accounts, looked up sharply. "He's turning on her?"
"Like a rat on a sinking ship," Arthur nodded. "Richard is claiming that Evelyn was the mastermind. He's arguing that he was completely manipulated by his wife, that he never wanted to steal the house, and that he was terrified of Evelyn's temper. He's asking the DA for a plea deal in exchange for testifying against her in court."
I stared at the rain beating against the floor-to-ceiling windows. For thirty years, Richard had stood silently by while Evelyn destroyed me. He had enabled her. He had signed the forged documents. He had lived lavishly on the money they stole from my accounts.
Now, facing the consequences, he was doing what cowards do best. He was running.
"Tell the DA not to take the deal," I said, my voice cold and hard.
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? Having Richard testify against her guarantees a conviction for Evelyn."
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"We already have a guaranteed conviction with the video," I replied, leaning forward. "Richard doesn't get to play the victim. He held the knife just as firmly as she did. I want them both in orange jumpsuits. No deals. No leniency. Burn them both to the ground."
Arthur's predatory smile returned. "I'll relay the message to the prosecutor immediately."
