Chapter 17 - Maude Under Oath
Maude looked different without beach sunglasses.
Her deposition was not public spectacle.
Conference room.
Lawyers.
Transcript.
I was not there for all of it.
Later we read.
Question:
“When did you first learn Edmund intended the cabana for Elspeth?”
Answer:
“Before he signed.”
There.
Question:
“Did you object?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because she was not his biological grandchild.”
“Was she Gareth’s legally adopted daughter at that time?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know club bylaws included adopted descendants?”
“Yes.”
Then:
“Why did you later submit documents stating she lacked a legal family claim?”
Maude hesitated.
“I believed the club’s historical meaning was different.”
“Did counsel advise you otherwise?”
“Yes.”
There.
Then the photographs.
“Why was Elspeth cropped out?”
“I was documenting biological lineage.”
“Did the club ask for biological lineage?”
“No.”
“Did you tell the committee Gareth agreed?”
“Yes.”
“Did he?”
“No.”
There.
Then:
“Why?”
Maude cried.
“I wanted one thing to remain mine.”
Finally.
Not blood.
Not bylaws.
Possession.
The lawyer asked:
“Why not say that?”
“Because it sounded selfish.”
There.
Instead she built a theory.
Then:
“Did Elspeth do anything to cause you to lose the cabana?”
“No.”
“Did Tavia?”
“No.”
“Did Gareth?”
“No.”
“Who transferred it?”
“Edmund.”
“Then why did you tell Elspeth she did not belong?”
Long silence.
“Because I wanted her not to want it.”
My hands went cold reading.
There.
The real motive.
If Elspeth felt like an outsider at North Shoal, maybe she would stop caring.
If she stopped caring, maybe Gareth would agree to sell.
If Gareth agreed, maybe trustee would reconsider.
Not legally enough.
But emotionally useful.
Maude had tried to make a six-year-old uncomfortable in her inheritance so the adult could reclaim it.
That was the ugliest line in the case.
May you like
Not the chair.
The strategy.
