When court resumed, Judge Bennett needed less than three minutes to rule.
The guardianship petition was denied.
Completely.
He found no evidence that I lacked capacity and substantial reason to believe the petition might have been filed for improper financial purposes.
He referred the forged power of attorney, altered medical records, and evidence of physical abuse to prosecutors and protective-services investigators.
Then he issued a temporary protective order preventing Michael and Rachel from entering my home, accessing my accounts, contacting my financial institutions, or disposing of anything taken from my property.
Michael had lost.
But there was one thing left.
“Your Honor?”
Judge Bennett looked at me.
“There is another matter.”
Michael gave a broken laugh.
“Of course there is.”
I lifted a thin brown envelope.
Henry’s handwriting covered the front.
For Margaret, if Michael ever tries to take control.
Michael recognized it immediately.
His face went blank.
I had discovered the envelope hidden behind a panel inside Henry’s desk three nights before the hearing.
