Chapter 11 - NAOMI'S SECRET
I waited until Jason left.
Then I locked the conference-room door.
"Talk."
Naomi folded her hands.
"Ten years ago, I was an associate at Hale, Bennett & Cross."
I stared at her.
"Preston Hale's firm?"
"Before he became managing partner. Thomas Bennett was a client."
"Jason's father."
"I helped review an early draft of the family trust. I left the firm after I discovered Preston backdating corporate documents for clients. I reported it internally. Nothing happened."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because it wasn't relevant until Jason weaponized the trust. And because I knew you'd wonder whether I took your case to settle an old score."
I did wonder.
"Did you?"
"No. I took your case because your daughter had a handprint on her face."
She opened an old encrypted email archive.
One message from Thomas Bennett caught my attention.
Naomi, I need a provision protecting any future grandchild from family pressure. Diane believes bloodline equals ownership. I disagree.
Attached was a draft clause requiring independent control of a child's trust if any parent or grandparent attempted coercion.
"This clause isn't in the final trust," I said.
"Exactly."
"Who removed it?"
"The final version was handled by Preston."
We subpoenaed his firm's archived files.
That night, someone filed an emergency motion to disqualify Naomi from representing me based on her prior work for the Bennett family.
Preston claimed conflict of interest.
If granted, I would lose the lawyer who knew the case better than anyone.
The hearing was set for 9:00 a.m.
At 8:42, Naomi's assistant ran into court carrying a sealed envelope.
"We found Thomas Bennett's original signed instructions," she said.
May you like
And across the top, in Thomas's handwriting, were five words:
DO NOT LET DIANE CONTROL LILY.
