Chapter 5 - The Legal Trenches
Brenda Vance’s office was located in a sleek downtown high-rise overlooking the naval shipyards. She had silver-streaked hair cut into a razor-sharp bob, steel-rimmed spectacles, and thirty years of experience disemboweling entitled bullies in courtrooms.
She reviewed the police report, the photographs of my bruised face, and the transcribed voice messages from my father with cold satisfaction.
“They handed us this case on a silver platter,” Brenda said, leaning back in her leather chair. “Vanessa’s attorney, Arthur Sterling, already called me. He offered twenty thousand dollars in ‘informal restitution’ if you recant your statement to the prosecutor.”
“He tried to bribe us?” Michael asked, stunned.
“Sterling called it an ‘amicable family settlement,’” Brenda said with a thin smile. “I reminded him that tampering with a complaining witness in a criminal proceeding is a felony. He hung up quite abruptly.”
“What are our moves, Brenda?” I asked.
“First, the protective order. The judge signed an emergency temporary restraining order two hours ago based on the physical evidence and the presence of minor children. Vanessa cannot contact you, Michael, Maya, or Lily. She cannot come within five hundred feet of your home, your girls’ school, or your duty station.”
“And Grant?”
“Grant isn't named in the restraining order yet, but I sent him a formal cease-and-desist warning him that continued threats regarding military reporting or financial retaliation will result in witness intimidation charges,” Brenda explained. “Now, here is the leverage you need to understand: the port authority contract.”
I leaned forward. “Grant mentioned it. Dad mentioned it.”
“Grant’s development company, Bennett Commercial Holdings, is bidding for the twenty-million-dollar maritime logistics contract at the naval annex,” Brenda said, sliding a folder across the desk. “As part of that contract, every principal officer must submit to a Department of Defense civilian background check. Any domestic turmoil, open criminal proceedings involving spouses on military property, or allegations of fraud will disqualify them automatically.”
“The barbecue wasn't on military property,” Michael noted.
“No, but Lauren is active military,” Brenda replied. “And Vanessa committed assault against an active-duty officer while openly disparaging military dependents. The base legal office has already taken notice because Lauren filed the formal notification. Grant’s firm is walking on a spiderweb over a bonfire.”
My phone buzzed on the glass desk. A text from my mother flashed across the screen:
“Lauren, please. Grant is having panic attacks. Vanessa won't come out of her room. Meet me at the tea room on 4th Street. Just you and me. Mother to daughter.”
I looked at Brenda. “My mother wants a private meeting.”
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Brenda looked over her glasses. “Take a recording device. Don't eat anything she buys you. And remember: a golden child’s mother is the most dangerous person in the courtroom, because she will sacrifice every other child to keep the favorite from burning.”
“I know,” I said quietly. “She’s been doing it my whole life.”
