Chapter 14 - VICTOR TAKES THE STAND
Victor did not have to testify. He chose to.
Of course. Victor always believed one more explanation could restore control.
He admitted the grave existed. Called it a "fear tactic."
He admitted telling Mom she would disappear. Called it "rhetorical."
He admitted controlling her phone. Called it "protective."
He admitted motel moves. Called them "temporary separation."
He admitted Diane prevented Mom from calling me. Called it "reducing conflict."
Each admission came with a euphemism. Then the property case.
He admitted taking control of my trust. Claimed Mom authorized orally.
Then why forged trustee amendment? "I did not forge it."
Diane did? "I don't know who prepared the final signature." But metadata. Emails.
His instruction: If Linda refuses, Diane can fix. He said "fix" meant correct paperwork.
Then EXIT COSTS. Private risk analysis.
Then SCARE ONLY. NO BODY.
Defense used it effectively. Victor said: "I never intended to kill Linda."
Mom had said she did not think he intended it either. Good.
Then prosecutor: "Did you intend her to believe she might die?" Victor paused. "Yes." There.
Then: "Why?" "So she'd sign."
"Sign what?" "The ratification."
"That you needed because the trust amendment was challenged?" "Yes."
"That trust contained Rachel's money?" "Yes."
"Did Rachel know?" "No."
"Did you plan to offer her $75,000 for a release?" "Yes."
"Did you know parcel 13 was worth more than that?" "Yes."
Then: "Did you tell her?" "No."
No escape. Then Alice Benton.
Victor denied knowingly stealing her house. Calvin and Diane contradicted parts.
Property records. Medical records.
Case separate but admissible pattern limited by judge? Assume carefully.
Then his mother's house. Victor said she knowingly sold.
Letter suggested confusion. No definitive criminal charge due age of case.
Again. Not everything proved.
Then George. Victor attacked him.
"George taught me everything." Maybe.
Then prosecutor asked: "Did George make you forge Linda's trustee amendment?" "No."
"Did George make you take Rachel's trust funds?" "No."
"Did George make you confine Linda?" "No."
"Did George make you dig the grave?" "No."
"Did George make you tell her she would disappear?" Victor looked down. "No." There.
Influence ended where adult choice began. Then Victor looked at me.
"Rachel, I was trying to save the company." The judge stopped direct address.
Good. But I heard it.
Save the company. Aunt Ruth had written: Victor sees every dollar near him as permission.
She was right. Then the prosecutor's final question: "Mr. Hale, when someone you love says no, what does no mean?" Defense objected. Argumentative.
May you like
Sustained. Victor never answered.
He did not need to. Thirty years of documents had already answered for him.
