Chapter 14 - Harold admits North Elm
Harold’s deposition lasted six hours.
He started angry.
Ended tired.
“Did you invest in MHB Family Ventures?”
“Yes.”
“Did MHB invest in North Elm?”
“Yes.”
“Did you disclose that to Meridian when recommending North Elm’s purchase offer?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I did not think it mattered.”
A trustee lawyer almost laughed.
Then:
“Would you profit if North Elm purchased below market and later sold?”
“Potentially.”
“Would you retain occupancy?”
“Yes.”
“Would your claimed house debt be paid at closing?”
“If recognized.”
“So you could receive repayment, continue living there, and participate in future appreciation?”
Harold looked down.
“Yes.”
There.
Then:
“Did you believe this was good for Lily?”
“I believed the house was wasting money.”
“Did you obtain an independent appraisal?”
“No.”
“Did you know North Elm’s offer was below market?”
“I knew it was conservative.”
Conservative.
The language of people uncomfortable with “cheap.”
Then Carla.
Did Harold know she would receive fees?
“Yes.”
Did Judith?
“Yes.”
Did Naomi?
“No.
Did Lily’s trustee?
Not initially.
Then the barbecue.
“Why didn’t you stop Carla?”
Harold’s face changed.
“I froze.”
“Did Lily deserve being struck?”
“No.”
“Why did your wife say she did?”
“I can’t answer for Judith.”
Then:
“Why didn’t you help Lily after?”
He whispered:
May you like
“I should have.”
That was the first sentence from Harold I believed without qualification.
