Chapter 11 - The Attorney's Problem
The revelation did not prove Martin had participated in any misconduct.
Law firms routinely represent companies, and registration agents do not necessarily control corporate funds.
But an undisclosed financial connection between counsel's firm and an entity under investigation demanded questions.
At a status conference, I asked the court to require disclosure of relevant relationships affecting the proceedings.
Martin replied that my request was an attempt to smear him.
"I'm asking for the nature of the relationship, not inviting a conclusion," I said.
Judge Morrison ordered a limited response.
Within forty-eight hours, Martin's firm acknowledged that one partner had formed the entity as a client service.
It also disclosed fees paid by Hale Strategic Partners for unrelated corporate advice.
The overlap created a conflict question that Martin's firm was obliged to address under applicable professional rules.
Martin withdrew from representing Preston soon afterward.
Preston accused me of destroying his defense.
"Your lawyer made his own decision," I told him.
He slammed the car door beside him without coming closer.
I had expected the family to retreat after losing the man who had controlled every hearing.
Instead, Vivian became the public face of their campaign.
She told relatives that I had turned my legal training against a trusting husband.
She claimed Preston was frightened to be alone with me.
She spoke with such calm sorrow that people who had known me for years began sending cautious messages.
I wanted to respond to every accusation.
Leah persuaded me to speak only through appropriate channels.
"They want you angry in public," she said.
"Then they can pretend anger proves their story."
That evening a courier delivered a box containing my old notebooks from the marital house.
On top was a photograph of Preston and me laughing on a windy beach years earlier.
Beneath it was a handwritten note in Vivian's unmistakable script.
YOU WERE NEVER ONE OF US.
I folded the note into an evidence envelope.
Under the notebooks, I found a small flash drive I had not seen since our fourth anniversary.
I remembered Preston using it to play a surprise video at a family dinner.
May you like
I had no idea what it contained now.
