Chapter 18 - GIOVANNI WENT TO COURTThe hearing lasted seventeen minutes before the judge realized Samuel had made a catastrophic mistake.
His attorneys argued first.
Giovanni was seventy-four.
Severely disabled.
Dependent on caregivers.
Unable to produce fluent speech.
Therefore, they argued, any recent financial decisions could have been influenced by Lorenzo or Nora.
Nora wanted to stand.
Lorenzo touched her wrist.
“Wait.”
Samuel's attorney finished.
The judge looked toward Giovanni.
“Mr. Moretti, do you understand why you're here?”
Giovanni pressed his tablet.
“Yes.”
Samuel shifted.
The judge continued.
“Can you tell me what year it is?”
Giovanni answered.
Correctly.
“Who is president?”
Correctly.
“What is the approximate value of your personal estate?”
Giovanni responded:
“TOO MUCH.”
The judge almost smiled.
Samuel did not.
For thirty minutes, Giovanni answered questions.
Investments.
Dates.
Names.
Tax entities.
Historical transactions Lorenzo himself had forgotten.
Finally Giovanni typed:
“ASK SAMUEL ABOUT SAINT GABRIEL.”
Samuel's lawyer objected.
The judge overruled.
Giovanni continued:
“HE CONTROLLED TRUST AFTER STROKE.”
Samuel looked pale.
“HE FORGED AUTHORIZATIONS.”
Another objection.
Then Nora saw Samuel make the mistake.
He leaned toward his attorney and whispered:
“He couldn't possibly know that.”
The courtroom microphone caught it.
The judge looked up.
“Mr. Creed?”
Samuel froze.
“How do you know what Mr. Moretti could or could not know?”
Nobody moved.
Samuel's attorney stood.
“Your Honor—”
The judge raised one hand.
The guardianship petition was denied.
But the victory lasted eleven minutes.
Outside the courtroom, investigators approached Samuel.
Not to arrest him.
To question him.
He handed over documents.
Then smiled at Lorenzo.
“You think this ends with me?”
Lorenzo said nothing.
Samuel leaned close.
“Ask your father why Lucia's mother really left.”
Lucia stopped.
Samuel looked at her.
“Ask him whose blood was on Giovanni's shirt the night Elena disappeared.”
Giovanni's face lost all color.
Lucia stared.
“What is he talking about?”
Samuel walked away with investigators.
Nora looked at Giovanni.
He would not meet Lucia's eyes.
That frightened her.
Because Samuel had lied about many things.
May you like
But judging by Giovanni's face—
not that.
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