Chapter 5 - The Legal Bastion
At dawn, Arthur arrived at David’s apartment, his briefcase heavy and his eyes lined with fatigue. He set a thick accordion folder on the kitchen island where David sat over cold black coffee.
"I spent the night auditing the estate's private communications ledger," Arthur said quietly, sitting across from him. "Eleanor has been paying an offshore courier service twelve thousand dollars a month for the past five years. Their explicit directive was to intercept, catalog, and store all correspondence originating from non-governmental relief organizations bearing Clara’s maiden name."
David didn't look up from the letter he was reading. "Is it enough for an indictment?"
"David, she’s your mother," Arthur said, though there was no conviction in his voice.
"She kept a living mother from her child, Arthur. She fabricated a legal death certificate through compromised contacts in the consulate, and she locked a six-year-old girl in a closet to protect the paper trail. If you will not file the charges, I will retain outside counsel by noon."
Arthur held up a weathered hand in surrender. "I didn't say I wouldn't help. I am saying it will tear the Sterling name down to the bedrock. The foundation will lose its endowments. The press will circle like vultures. Lily will be at the center of a national media circus."
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David stood up, his eyes clear and resolute. "Let the name burn, Arthur. It was built on a foundation of hollow gold anyway. The only thing that matters is bringing Clara home and keeping Lily safe."
"Then we need an injunction immediately," Arthur replied, opening his folder. "Eleanor still holds primary legal guardianship over Lily's trust and medical directives. If she realizes you have the letters, she will move her legal assets within the hour."
