Chapter 8 - THE HEARING
The civil hearing over the power of attorney happened first.
Blackwater claimed it negotiated in good faith with Harold because he represented himself as Emily’s authorized agent.
Maya asked:
“Did your company verify the power of attorney with Captain Hart?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“We were told family circumstances required discretion.”
“Did you pay an option fee before verification?”
“Yes.”
“To whom?”
“Hart Family Management LLC.”
“Owned by the property owner?”
“No.”
The judge looked up.
That was a bad moment for Blackwater.
Then the forged signature analysis came in.
The power of attorney signature had been assembled from two prior Emily signatures scanned from Christmas gift-tax documents Harold retained.
Not handwritten live.
Digitally composite.
The notary, Victor Shaw, claimed Harold brought the document already signed and swore Emily executed it earlier.
That violated procedure.
Shaw later cooperated.
He admitted he notarized without Emily present because Harold said:
“My daughter is deployed all the time. This is how we handle family paperwork.”
Emily nearly laughed when she heard.
Her service had become their excuse for replacing her presence.
The court declared the power of attorney invalid.
Blackwater’s option collapsed.
Hart Family Management was ordered to return the $25,000.
The land remained Emily’s.
That should have felt like victory.
Instead Emily sat outside the courthouse thinking about her grandmother.
May you like
Ruth had left her the house because Emily never asked what it was worth.
Everyone else had eventually answered that question for her.
