Chapter 14 - The Letter Harriet Produced
Two weeks before trial, Harriet produced a letter.
Loretta’s handwriting.
I recognized immediately.
Dear Harriet,
I know we have not always agreed, but Gavin has been generous to Samantha and I appreciate what your family has done for her.
My stomach turned.
Then:
Regarding Apex, I am willing to consider a family arrangement if it protects Samantha’s future and keeps conflict low.
Harriet’s attorney argued:
Loretta contemplated transfer.
Maybe deed reflected later agreement.
Miriam read letter.
“Where’s page two?”
Harriet claimed one page only.
But bottom margin showed:
1 of 2.
She had photocopied page one.
Where page two?
Harriet said:
Never received.
Then envelope.
Postmark eight months earlier.
Why keep only page one?
Maybe Loretta only mailed page one accidentally.
Possible.
Then Lucas remembered Mom drafting letter.
“She asked me if ‘generous’ sounded sarcastic.”
That was Mom.
He searched her computer.
Draft existed.
Two pages.
Page two:
But I will not transfer the land to Gavin, you, or any entity you control.
If Samantha ever benefits from Apex, it will be through my estate or a sale she independently chooses after my death.
There.
Then:
I am willing to discuss a fair market sale to third party if Gavin brings legitimate buyer, provided my own lawyer handles closing.
So page one without page two reversed meaning.
Harriet had preserved favorable half.
Then digital file timestamp.
Loretta’s laptop.
Genuine.
Email? She printed and mailed both pages likely. Did Harriet receive page two? Post weight maybe impossible. But text in letter references "continued on next page." Could prove she knew.
Page one ended:
My conditions are simple and are listed on the following page.
Harriet had omitted.
Why produce at all?
Desperation.
Then prosecutor added evidence of deceptive presentation? Not new charge maybe.
Harriet’s credibility collapsed.
Her attorney requested plea negotiations again.
Gavin’s attorney furious because Harriet’s tactic harmed both.
Then Gavin offered to testify Harriet originated scheme.
Prosecutor required full truthful proffer.
He said:
Harriet suggested using Loretta signature.
Harriet supplied seal.
He created document because Harriet said Loretta had orally agreed.
Did he believe?
Texts contradicted.
“Loretta won’t sign.”
“Then we use packet.”
He knew no agreement.
Then why?
Gavin finally said:
“I thought Samantha would never fight me.”
There.
No legal sophistication.
No secret mastermind.
He believed control at home made fraud safe.
Then domestic assault.
He minimized storage room.
Prosecutor played his text:
For ten minutes. She was insane.
Then photos.
Rideshare driver.
My statement.
Harriet’s text:
Lock her up. Inheritance isn’t going anywhere.
He could not deny.
Then one issue:
Did he strike my abdomen?
No external injury documented specifically. I reported pain. Doctor not seen that night because focused on Mom? I didn't seek medical until later? We can say next day urgent care documented bruising. Need earlier mention? Not. Could still have gone after funeral? Hmm. Better avoid charge specific to abdomen. Overall assault includes slap/hair pull.
Then Harriet’s role in confinement.
She pushed.
Ordered lock.
Blocked? Actually Gavin latched.
Her text supports.
Then Harriet asked to meet Samantha? No direct due order. Through prosecutor for restorative statement perhaps.
I declined.
Not yet.
Then defense trial risk.
Property fraud worth over half million.
Forgery.
Conspiracy.
Domestic violence.
Plea rational.
Gavin accepted first.
He agreed to plead guilty to felony forgery related count, attempted theft/deception offense, and domestic violence assault/unlawful restraint related offenses, with sentencing recommendation including prison and probation.
Harriet refused.
She could not tolerate felony label.
Then Gavin’s plea proffer implicated her.
He admitted:
“Mom said if Loretta wouldn’t sign, we could make paperwork look like she had.”
There.
Harriet’s attorney requested recess.
Hours later Harriet agreed too.
Not identical.
She pleaded to conspiracy to commit property fraud, forgery participation, and unlawful restraint related offense.
Her attorney negotiated less custody due age/no prior record, but restitution and probation substantial.
Then judge postponed sentencing for victim statements and financial accounting.
I had time.
Dana asked:
“Do you want to speak?”
“I don’t know.”
Then Mom’s second page sat on my table.
If Samantha ever benefits from Apex, it will be through a sale she independently chooses.
I had.
Sold seven acres.
Kept sixteen.
Mom had not dictated which.
Just protected my choice.
Then I knew what I wanted to say at sentencing.
Not about money.
May you like
About ten minutes.
Continue to the next part: Gavin finally admits he believed Samantha would never challenge him, while Harriet’s attempt to use half of Loretta’s genuine letter pushes both defendants toward guilty pleas.
