Chapter 15 - Under OathThe first court hearing was not a criminal trial.
It was a temporary divorce proceeding concerning marital assets.
Derek entered wearing a navy suit.
For the first time in twelve years, Allison saw him as a stranger.
He looked thinner after the hospital.
More tired.
But composed.
He smiled at his attorney.
He did not look at Allison.
Allison was grateful.
Her attorney presented evidence of the $95,000 transfer from the joint account.
Derek’s side argued that he had moved the money to protect himself after Allison cut off access to company income.
The judge asked why.
Derek answered under oath.
“Because my wife became erratic after discovering my relationship with her sister.”
Allison felt heat rise in her face.
Her attorney touched her wrist.
Facts first.
Anger second.
The judge asked, “Did you transfer funds before or after your wife learned of the relationship?”
“After.”
“Had she threatened to deprive you of personal funds?”
“No.”
“Had she emptied joint accounts?”
“No.”
“Then what immediate threat were you protecting against?”
Derek paused.
“My financial security.”
The judge was unimpressed.
Temporary restrictions remained.
Then Allison’s attorney raised the Alder Row payments because they related to marital finances and Derek’s asserted income.
Derek claimed Alder Row was legitimate.
“What services did it provide?” Allison’s attorney asked.
“Financial consulting.”
“To Grant Medical Properties?”
“Yes.”
“While you were also being paid by Grant Medical Properties as its CFO?”
Derek’s jaw tightened.
“Different scope.”
“Who performed the consulting work?”
“I did.”
“Did you disclose your ownership of Alder Row?”
“I believe so.”
“To whom?”
“Thomas Grant knew.”
Allison almost stood.
Her father died before Alder Row existed.
Her lawyer was ready.
“Mr. Hale, Alder Row Consulting was formed seven months after Thomas Grant’s death.”
Derek froze.
Only briefly.
But Allison saw it.
“So Thomas Grant could not have known the company existed, correct?”
“I misspoke.”
“Under oath?”
Derek’s attorney objected.
The judge allowed the questioning to continue within limits.
By the end of the hearing, the judge ordered both spouses not to make extraordinary transfers, destroy financial records, or dispose of major marital property without notice.
The $95,000 remained disputed.
But Derek’s credibility had been damaged.
Outside the courtroom, he finally approached Allison.
His attorney tried to stop him.
Derek ignored her.
“You enjoyed that.”
Allison stared at him.
“No.”
“Don’t lie.”
“I enjoyed knowing you couldn’t rewrite a date.”
His face hardened.
“You think one mistake destroys me?”
“No.”
She stepped closer.
“The records do that.”
Camille was waiting farther down the hallway with her own attorney.
Derek saw her.
Something vicious entered his expression.
“You.”
Camille stiffened.
“You gave them everything?”
Her attorney intervened.
“Mr. Hale, do not address my client.”
Derek laughed.
“Your client?”
He looked at Camille.
“Tell Allison what you said the first night we were together.”
Camille went pale.
Allison felt her stomach tighten.
Derek continued.
“Tell her what you said about your perfect sister.”
Camille whispered, “Stop.”
“You wanted her life.”
“Stop.”
“You wanted her company, her house, her husband—”
Allison said, “Enough.”
Derek looked almost pleased.
“Ask her.”
Camille closed her eyes.
Allison stared at her.
“What did you say?”
Camille’s attorney advised her not to answer.
Camille did anyway.
“I said I wished Dad had left everything to me.”
Allison felt the old pain.
Camille continued.
“And I said sometimes I wished I had your life.”
Derek smiled.
“There.”
Allison looked at him.
“You think that helps you?”
His smile faded.
“You found a jealous younger sister and fed her exactly what she wanted to hear.”
Camille began crying.
Allison’s voice stayed level.
“She chose what she did afterward. She will live with that.”
Then Allison looked directly into Derek’s eyes.
“But you don’t get to turn her guilt into your innocence.”
For the first time that day, Derek had no answer.
As Allison walked away, Owen called.
He had recovered another deleted message.
Derek to Stoneharbor:
After closing, Allison will be out. Camille will support transition.
May you like
The date was three months before Derek and Camille first slept together.
He had planned to use Camille before she even knew she was part of the plan.
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