Chapter 13 - ROBERT UNDER OATH
Robert’s deposition was the emotional center of the case.
Not because he confessed dramatically.
Because he tried to explain.
“I always considered Malibu a family asset.”
Maya asked:
“Was it titled in your name?”
“No.”
“Did you contribute to the purchase by Mercer Coastal Holdings?”
“No.”
“Did Daryl?”
“Yes.”
“Did you have written authority to rent it?”
“No.”
“Then what made it a family asset?”
Robert looked annoyed.
“History.”
Maya waited.
Robert continued.
“I found the property. I created the partnership. I lost it during a bad market. My son bought it because he didn’t want strangers to take it.”
“Did he say he was holding it for you?”
“No.”
“For Jenna?”
“No.”
“For the family?”
“He said we could use it.”
“That was the promise?”
Robert hesitated.
“Yes.”
“Use. Not own.”
Silence.
Then came the rental account.
“Did you know Jenna rented the property?”
“Yes.”
“Did Daryl?”
“I assumed eventually.”
“That is not an answer.”
“No.”
“Did you receive money?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To cover family expenses.”
“Whose family expenses?”
Robert looked down.
Mostly Jenna’s.
Then the loan.
Then the camp fees.
Then travel.
Maya asked:
“Why didn’t you tell Daryl?”
Robert’s face changed.
“He didn’t need the money.”
Daryl closed his eyes.
There it was again.
The family’s master key.
He didn’t need it.
Maya asked softly:
“Does lack of need transfer ownership?”
Robert’s eyes flashed.
“No.”
“Then why did it matter?”
Robert looked toward Daryl for the first time.
“Because he was always the one who could absorb it.”
Silence.
Not could afford.
Could absorb.
Daryl felt that sentence move through every year of his adult life.
Anna had seen it.
His parents had practiced it.
Jenna had inherited it.
Daryl had rewarded it.
Maya asked:
“Did Daryl ever say his children should have less access because he could provide alternatives?”
“No.”
“Did he ever say Jenna’s children could destroy his son’s belongings?”
“No.”
Robert’s face tightened.
“Those things aren’t related.”
Daryl looked at him.
They were.
Not legally.
Emotionally.
Same rule.
Eli can absorb.
Daryl can absorb.
May you like
Therefore the loss is less serious.
That was the family inheritance Daryl intended to end.
