“Colette Ridge Holdings LLC,” Judge Alderman repeated.
Aunt Colette’s hand dropped from the pearls at her throat.
For several seconds she stared at the judge as though he had spoken in another language.
Then she leaned forward between her daughters.
“That’s my name,” she said.
“Why does that company have my name?”
Diane turned halfway toward the gallery.
Her expression changed three times before settling on wounded confusion.
“Colette, please,” she said.
“This is not the place.”
“That is exactly why it is the place,” Judge Alderman replied.
Curtis Hamley rose so abruptly that the folder on his lap slipped sideways.
“Your Honor, I must object to the introduction of material that has not been properly authenticated or provided to counsel.”
The judge looked at him over the empty space where his glasses had been.
“The material was produced under an expedited preservation order signed by this court,” he said.
“Your client was notified that records could be requested at any time.
Sit down, Mr.
Hamley.”
Curtis sat.
Elena Ruiz stood beside me and rested one hand on the sealed envelope.
Her voice was calm enough to make Diane’s breathing sound louder.
“May I explain the production, Your Honor?”
“Proceed.”
Elena broke the seal and removed a narrow stack of documents.
She did not display them dramatically.
She simply placed the first page beneath the courtroom projector, covering the identifying numbers so nothing beyond the bench could be read.
“The registered agent in Wyoming responded early because the court’s order required immediate preservation of any account connected to estate assets,” Elena said.
“The production identifies three limited liability companies: Colette Ridge Holdings, Juniper Vale Services, and North Basin Consulting.”
She paused.
“All three were created within six weeks of Mr.
Callaway’s final hospitalization.”
Diane shook her head slowly.
“That means nothing.
My husband had complicated financial interests.
He created entities all the time.”
“Did he create this one?” the judge asked.
“I would need to review the paperwork.”
“You submitted an affidavit stating that you had reviewed every significant estate entity.”
“I reviewed the ones I knew about.”
The judge replaced his glasses and studied the first filing.
“This document lists Colette Callaway as the organizer and beneficial owner.”
Aunt Colette stood before anyone invited her to.
“I have never owned a company in Wyoming,” she said.
“I have never even been to Wyoming.”
Diane turned fully toward her.
“You signed papers for your brother.
You signed dozens of things.
You may not remember every document.”
Colette’s face tightened.
“I remember my own name.”
The bailiff stepped closer to the gallery, but Judge Alderman raised one hand.
“Ms.
Callaway, remain available.
You may be called as a witness.”
Colette lowered herself back into her seat.
Her daughters no longer looked at me.
