Chapter 15 - The Notary
Her name was Caroline Price.
Twenty seven.
Junior paralegal and commissioned notary.
She looked terrified.
She had already entered a cooperation agreement on a lesser state offense and lost her job.
She admitted failure.
Lucas arrived with scanned document.
Told her I was deployed and had signed electronically during secure call.
She asked whether remote notarization requirements met.
Lucas said firm partner approved.
No partner had.
She notarized anyway.
Then Margaret called her personally.
“What did she say?”
Caroline swallowed.
“She thanked me for helping family avoid delays.”
Then:
“She said Colonel Carter would confirm if anyone asked.”
Did Caroline speak to me?
No.
Then after internal audit questions began, Margaret texted:
If anyone contacts you, this was Daniel’s request. He is difficult to reach overseas.
There.
Consciousness.
Defense cross.
“You violated your duties.”
“Yes.”
“You are protecting yourself.”
“Yes.”
“Did Margaret tell you to forge anything?”
“No.”
“Did she say Daniel had not signed?”
“No.”
Good.
Not direct.
Then prosecutor introduced Margaret’s email to Lucas after notary:
She did it. Make sure file stays clean.
Not smoking alone.
Combined.
Then Carter Continuity broker.
He testified Margaret personally attended call.
She discussed acquiring “family shares that should never have gone to Daniel in first place.”
There.
Then advisor asked whether Daniel agreed.
Margaret:
“He will once paperwork is complete.”
Future.
Again.
Then defense attempted explain as expectation.
Fine.
Then the fake vendors’ nominal owners.
Lark owner Melissa Kane was Margaret’s former assistant.
She admitted company performed no consulting.
She opened entity after Margaret asked.
Received $5,000 to let account be used.
Pled to tax/false statement offense.
Northbridge owner Darren Cole was Lucas friend.
Similar.
Meridian more complex.
Attorney nominee claimed he believed legitimate wellness program would follow.
No program.
Refunded retainer.
The scheme looked less like genius.
More like entitled people assuming nobody would question family name.
Then Margaret chose whether to testify.
Her lawyers advised no? We didn't know.
She did.
Perhaps because control.
She needed final word.
She told jury she had helped build Carter Industrial beside husband.
True emotionally.
She hosted clients.
Managed social events.
Supported Richard.
Then:
“After he died, Daniel abandoned company for Army.”
I almost laughed.
I had joined Army long before.
Then:
“Lucas devoted his life.”
True.
She said the estate plan was unfair.
Maybe.
Then vendors.
“I believed money was authorized transaction preparation.”
“By whom?”
“Lucas.”
She shifted.
Then power of attorney.
“I believed Daniel signed.”
“Why?”
“Lucas said.”
Then resignation.
“I saw draft.”
Not final.
Carter Continuity.
“Estate planning.”
Then Elena.
“She was disrespectful.”
There.
The prosecutor later asked:
“Did disrespect justify putting your foot on her shoulder?”
Margaret’s face tightened.
“It was not as video makes it look.”
“What does it make it look like?”
“Humiliation.”
“Was she humiliated?”
“She was dramatic.”
Then:
“Did you say keep your mouth shut until Daniel comes home?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because she was interfering in business.”
“Did she know about power of attorney?”
“Yes.”
“Did you want her to tell Daniel before vote?”
“No.”
There.
Then:
“Why?”
“Because Daniel would overreact.”
Meaning stop fraud.
Then:
“Did Daniel authorize power of attorney?”
“I believed he would.”
Not answer.
“Did he?”
“I did not know.”
Then:
“Did you receive $271,400?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Family reimbursements.”
“Documents?”
“No.”
“Did you direct $175,000 to transaction law firm?”
“Yes.”
“Why use company vendor money?”
She hesitated.
“Efficiency.”
The prosecutor repeated.
“Efficiency.”
Then:
“Did the board authorize?”
“No.”
“Daniel?”
“No.”
“Professional trustee?”
“No.”
Then voice recording.
Daniel will pay it back if anyone notices.
Her face changed.
“Did you say?”
“Yes.”
Then:
“Why would Daniel need pay back legitimate reimbursements?”
Silence.
That was the moment.
Not screaming.
Not confession.
Silence.
The jury noticed.
Then closing.
Defense argued Margaret was domineering mother, yes.
Bad judgment, yes.
But Lucas forged.
Lucas approved.
Margaret relied.
Do not convert unpleasant personality into federal felony.
Fair argument.
Prosecution answered with money directions, voice, timing, Continuity, suppression of Elena, power of attorney support.
Then jury deliberated.
Two days.
I spent them home with Owen.
He learned to stand holding sofa.
Elena filmed.
No courthouse vigil.
Then call.
Verdict ready.
Margaret stood.
I held Elena’s hand.
The clerk read.
Guilty on conspiracy.
Guilty on multiple wire fraud counts.
Guilty on identity related fraud count associated with use of my signature.
Guilty on obstruction related false documentation.
One count acquitted where evidence of her direct knowledge was weaker.
Good.
Not everything prosecution asked.
Margaret closed eyes.
No collapse.
Then she looked at me.
I did not smile.
May you like
The federal case was decided.
The state case for what she did to Elena still remained.
