Chapter 4 - THE LAWYER'S SECRET
The ongoing criminal case was initially supposed to be a very straightforward, clear-cut attempted murder trial.
But Maya possessed an intellect far beyond her years, and she knew there was a massive missing piece to this twisted puzzle.
Someone with high-level legal expertise had to help them forge the complex new trust documents found hidden in the storm cellar.
Maya formally requested an emergency, strictly confidential meeting with her family's long-time corporate attorney, Richard Vance.
Vance arrived at the police precinct looking incredibly nervous, constantly adjusting his expensive Italian silk tie and sweating profusely despite the heavy air conditioning.
"Maya, my dear girl, I am so incredibly relieved to see that you are safe and unharmed," Vance lied smoothly, forcing a highly unconvincing smile.
Maya did not stand up to greet him, nor did she offer the sweating lawyer a seat at the interrogation table.
"You can cut the pathetic performance right now, Richard, because I know exactly what you did behind my back," Maya said, her voice dripping with venom.
"I saw the forged signature on the illegal transfer of power documents hidden in David's duffel bag."
Vance instantly turned the color of a ghost, taking a panicked step backward toward the heavy steel door as if he intended to run.
"I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, Maya, I have always protected your father's estate," he stammered defensively.
Maya stood up slowly, stepping closer to the lawyer and completely invading his personal space with an intimidating glare.
"You officially notarized a fraudulent medical document claiming I was emotionally unstable and legally unfit to inherit the company," Maya stated, stating the undeniable facts.
"You signed and filed that fake psychological evaluation exactly three days before the cabin magically caught fire."
Detective Reed stepped out from the dark shadows of the observation hallway, holding a thick manila folder in his right hand.
"Mr. Vance, our cyber team has already successfully matched the IP address of the offshore Cayman accounts directly to your private law firm," Reed announced loudly.
Vance's knees literally buckled beneath him, and he collapsed heavily into a nearby metal chair, burying his face in his trembling hands.
"David owed massive amounts of money to some very violent, very dangerous people connected to the cartel," Vance confessed, his voice muffled by his hands.
"They cornered me in a parking garage and threatened to kill my wife and children if I did not help them steal the trust fund."
Maya looked down at the pathetic, weeping man with utter, unapologetic contempt.
"You are going to take the stand and testify against them in open court, Richard," Maya demanded, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation.
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"Or I will personally ensure that you spend the rest of your miserable life rotting in a federal penitentiary, completely stripped of your law license."
Vance nodded his head frantically, tears streaming down his face as he agreed to become the prosecution's star witness.
