Chapter 5 - Temporary Authority
Thomas Bell arrived with two attorneys and a company compliance officer.
He did not look like a man who expected a criminal interview.
He looked irritated.
“Ridgeway Communities did not instruct anyone to harm Rachel Reed.”
Maya answered:
“I did not say you did.”
“Your subpoena implies otherwise.”
“It implies we want your records.”
Thomas folded his hands.
“Then ask.”
The email mattered.
If Rachel continues refusing, there may be other lawful paths if you obtain temporary authority during her recovery.
“What lawful paths?” Maya asked.
“Power of attorney.”
“She refused.”
“Conservatorship if she became medically incapable.”
“Why were you discussing incapacity before she became ill?”
“Because she was pregnant with twins and expected a difficult delivery.”
Maya stared.
“Pregnancy does not make someone legally incompetent.”
“I know.”
“Then why would you propose it?”
“I proposed nothing. Aaron asked what would happen if Rachel was unable to handle business temporarily.”
Thomas produced the preceding email.
Aaron:
If she is bedridden after delivery, can I sign?
Thomas:
Not without authority.
Aaron:
What kind?
Thomas:
Power of attorney, conservatorship, court order. Ask your lawyer.
The fuller context mattered.
Thomas had not written:
Make her incapable.
He had answered a legal question.
Then came another email two weeks later.
Aaron:
Rachel will not sign POA.
Thomas:
Then you do not have authority.
Aaron:
There has to be another way.
Thomas:
If a physician determines incapacity, counsel can advise on temporary conservatorship. Ridgeway will not participate in family proceedings.
That sounded more cautious.
Then why the one hundred fifty thousand dollar consulting fee?
Thomas explained.
Aaron had introduced Ridgeway to neighboring landowners.
He had construction knowledge.
The fee covered acquisition coordination.
Maya asked for work product.
Three neighbor contacts.
One survey referral.
Estimated ordinary value perhaps twenty thousand.
One hundred fifty thousand looked excessive.
Ridgeway’s compliance officer said the arrangement had not been independently reviewed.
Thomas approved it himself.
His annual bonus depended partly on acreage secured.
Now his incentive appeared beside Aaron’s.
Not murder.
Pressure.
The company froze the consulting contract immediately.
Aaron’s phone records showed thirty six calls with Thomas during Rachel’s final month of pregnancy.
The most important call happened Sunday night.
Hours before Rachel contacted the hospital.
No recording existed.
But a text afterward did.
Aaron:
She still says no.
Thomas:
Then stop discussing the sale until you have legal authority. Do not put Ridgeway into a domestic dispute.
That helped Thomas.
Then another text from Aaron:
My lawyer says conservatorship can move quickly if doctor supports it.
Thomas:
Then deal with your lawyer.
Who was the lawyer?
Paul Mercer.
Local family and business attorney.
Paul produced his file voluntarily after privilege issues were addressed through Aaron’s counsel where appropriate.
Aaron had asked about emergency conservatorship.
“Why?” Maya asked Paul.
“He said Rachel was showing postpartum psychiatric symptoms.”
“When?”
“Four days before delivery.”
“Before postpartum?”
Paul closed his eyes.
“That bothered me.”
“What did you do?”
“I told him pregnancy stress was not legal incapacity and he needed medical evaluation.”
“Did he return?”
“Yes.”
“With a letter.”
From Dr. Colin Vance.
Concierge psychiatrist.
The letter stated:
Based on collateral family reports, Rachel Reed may be at elevated risk for postpartum psychiatric decompensation and could require temporary assistance with complex financial decisions.
May.
Could.
Not diagnosis.
Not examination.
Yet Aaron used it in a draft conservatorship petition.
Paul refused to file.
“I told him the letter was insufficient.”
“What happened?”
“He went elsewhere.”
To whom?
A second attorney, Karen Mills.
She had prepared an emergency petition scheduled for Friday morning.
The morning after Emma entered the ER.
Karen said Aaron represented that Rachel had deteriorated mentally, refused essential medical care, and endangered her newborns.
He provided photographs.
Dirty bottles.
Unwashed laundry.
Rachel unconscious in bed.
Pictures taken during the three days he refused to bring her to the hospital.
He created the conditions.
Then photographed them as proof she could not parent.
Karen had not yet filed because she wanted direct medical documentation.
Aaron promised it by Friday.
The petition contained another statement.
Minor child Emma Reed is currently staying safely with extended family.
False.
Emma was locked inside the farmhouse caring for two starving infants.
Maya showed Karen.
She went pale.
“He told me Emma was with Rachel’s sister.”
Rachel had no sister.
The petition listed a name.
Melissa Reed.
No such person.
Then one more attachment.
A proposed temporary property management order.
It specifically authorized Aaron to negotiate Willow Creek Farm during Rachel’s incapacity.
The legal path Thomas Bell mentioned had already become a document.
May you like
And if Emma had not pushed the twins through those ER doors Thursday afternoon, Aaron planned to place it before a judge Friday morning.
Continue to the next part: Aaron had a court petition ready to take temporary control of Rachel and Willow Creek, and it falsely claimed Emma was already safe somewhere else.
