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Several months passed without incident. As trustee of Bill's estate, I was responsible for the distribution of his assets. This should have been a simple task, as Michelle was his only surviving heir.
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I asked Ross Marler to help me with the legal details, and he arranged for a hearing in probate court. "Just a formality," he said....But I had a nagging sense of impending doom as the date of the hearing approached.
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Ross called several days before the hearing, and I detected a note of panic in his voice. "We have a little problem, Maria," he said. "It seems that Danny Santos is contesting Bill's will. Something to do with those damned documents."
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"What are you talking about Ross?" I asked, but I knew the answer already in my rapidly sinking heart.
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"Nothing to worry about," he replied. "I have everything under control. As I told you before, they will not stand up in court. Danny's attorney is faxing copies of the documents to me this afternoon. I'll have a look at them, and get back to you."
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"You may think you have everything under control, Ross, but where Danny Santos is concerned, there is no such thing as control!"
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Michelle came down the stairs as I was hanging up the telephone. I relayed to her what Ross told me, but she just sighed apathetically. She had completely shut down emotionally after her father's funeral, never laughing, smiling, or even crying. After her mother's problems with depression, I was very concerned by her attitude. I tried to convince her to see a doctor several times, but she refused.
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Ross called back a few hours later. "You were right about Danny Santos, Maria," he said, sounding more than a little desperate. "He had Michelle sign a pre-nuptial agreement giving all her assets to Lewis upon their marriage."
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"Lewis is dead, Ross. How can that matter now? Besides, Michelle did not have any assets to speak of when she married Lewis."
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"Well, that is where it gets complicated," he replied. "It would seem that Danny changed the dates on the agreement and the marriage license to the day Bill died. Michelle, of course, inherited a sizeable estate on that day."
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"I still don't see why Danny would contest Bill's will," I said, grasping at straws.
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"Danny's lawyer also sent me a copy of Lewis's will. It would seem that Lewis left everything to Danny. I'll give that son of a bitch this; he is clever. The only chance we have is to prove that he changed the dates. Was anyone else present when she signed the documents?"
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"No, I don't....wait a minute!" I cried, suddenly relieved. "Mick Santos was there when she signed the pre-nuptial agreement!"
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"Do you think he would testify on Michelle's behalf?" Ross asked.
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"I'm not sure. He is a good boy, not like his uncle, but he is loyal to the family. Although, he seems to have soft spot when it comes to Michelle," I said, remembering the longing look in Mick's eyes when he watched Michelle.
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"Great! I'll have him subpoenaed."
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On the day of the hearing, Ross met us outside the courtroom. Danny was there with Mick when we arrived. He had a triumphant look on his face, and I was tempted to slap him. I could not understand why he was continuing his vendetta; Bill was dead, and he certainly did not need the money. Michelle gave Mick a shy smile when she saw him standing there, but he lowered his head and flushed with shame.
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The bailiff entered the hallway, and told us we could go into the courtroom. I sat behind the defense table, and watched Mick with anxiety. I tried to read his expression, but his face seemed etched in stone.
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"All rise for Judge Stephens!" the bailiff cried.
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As I rose in my seat, that name set off alarm bells in my head. When the judge entered the courtroom, Ross's jaw went slack. Judge Stephens took his seat behind the bench, and explained that he was sitting in for Judge Walker. Judge Walker had an unfortunate accident on his way to the courthouse that morning, and was being treated at the hospital.
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Ross stood and asked for a continuation until Judge Walker could hear the case. He cited a conflict of interest, because Judge Stephens had performed the marriage ceremony for Michelle and Lewis.
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"I see no conflict of interest," the judge said, vaingloriously. "Overruled!"
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I shot Danny a furious glance, and he smiled smugly. He had won, and he knew it. I wondered how many pockets he lined to pull off his diabolical plan.
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Ross called Mick to the stand, and Mick rose slowly, carefully avoiding Michelle's eyes as he walked to the witness stand. "Were you present at the lighthouse on February 25 of this year?" Ross asked. "That was the day after the blizzard; the day Michelle Lewis and Maria Gonzoles were detained against their will, by your uncle, Daniel Santos."
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"Objection!" Danny's lawyer shouted, jumping up from his chair. "The defense is leading the witness!"
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"Objection sustained," Judge Stephens replied. "Mr. Marler, please continue your questioning, without referring to these unsubstantiated accusations against Mr. Santos."
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"Yes, your honor," Ross replied, bitterly. "Let me rephrase the question. Did you see Michelle Lewis, at any time, sign documents presented to her by Daniel Santos?"
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Mick gave Michelle an apologetic look; his eyes filled with anguish. "No....No, I never saw her sign a document of any kind," he muttered, and Danny gave him an approving nod.
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It was all over from there. Ross called several more witnesses, but his efforts were in vain. Judge Stephens ordered Bill's entire estate to be turned over to Danny immediately. Danny got everything, the house, cars, vacation homes, and most importantly Bill's shares in Lewis Oil. That, combined with the shares left to Lewis by his mother, gave him a controlling interest in the company.
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As we left the courtroom, Ross promised to appeal the case, but that was of little comfort. Michelle seemed indifferent; I don't think she realized the implications of what had happened.
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Danny grabbed her arm as we were walking to our car. "Michelle, please don't think I will throw you out on the street," he said, smiling sweetly. "After all, you are my daughter in law. I plan to rent out the Lewis house, but I would like you to come live with me at the lighthouse."
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I gave Danny an incredulous look, and said, "You must be out of your mind Danny! Michelle is not going anywhere near you or the lighthouse ever again! Not if I have any say in the matter!"
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"What are you going to do Maria?" he said scornfully. "Run away with her, and support her on your meager wages as a maid?"
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I opened my mouth to reply, but Michelle put her hand on my arm, silencing me. "Alright Danny, I will come to live at the lighthouse. Maria will bring me and my things over in the morning," she said, and sighed listlessly.
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"Bueno!" Danny said victoriously. "I will be expecting you. Oh....Maria....You may stay on as maid for the Lewis house. I am sure the new tenants will be requiring your services."
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"You will burn in Hell for this Danny Santos!" I cried.
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Danny regarded me with amusement, and said. "Con placer, Maria....with pleasure."
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I took Michelle to the lighthouse the next morning, as promised. As I was leaving, she hugged me, then held me away from her at arm's length. "I don't want you to come here again Maria," she said solemnly. "I promise to call you every day, but I can't bear to see you. It would be too painful." Her face clouded with sorrow; it was the first sign of emotion she showed in months. I would have been relieved under any other circumstances, but knowing the ordeal she was bound to face living in that house with a monster like Danny Santos, I was heartbroken.
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Michelle kept her word to call me every day. I have attempted to get her to tell me about her life there, but she quickly changes the subject to something benign, like the weather, or some tidbit she heard on the local news.
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"After what you have told me, Mr. Lockwood, I am very fearful for Michelle," Maria says, as she gets up from her seat by the bed. "With your permission, I would like to have the afternoon off tomorrow. I must break my word to her, and go to the lighthouse."
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"Of course, Maria," Mr. Lockwood, replies. "I am beginning to feel a little better, and I am sure I can fend for myself for as long as you need to take."
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"Thank you," Maria says, and she walks to the door of the bedroom. "Good night, Mr. Lockwood."
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"Good night, Maria. Oh....And I will be expecting a full report when you return!"
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