Chapter 5 - An Unexpected Ally
Callie looked through the window next to the door. Walking down the hallway was a tall, sharply dressed man in his late late-thirties, carrying a sleek leather briefcase. Behind him were two uniform police officers.
"Who the hell are you?" Joel demanded, turning around to face the intruder.
"My name is Julian Vance," the man said, pulling a silver badge and a legal credential from his coat. "I am a federal prosecutor with the Crimes Against Elders Task Force. And more importantly, I am Geneva’s grand-nephew from her late brother’s side. And you must be Joel. The man I’ve been investigating for the last six months."
Joel’s face drained of color. "Julian? You... you haven't been in touch with the family for a decade."
"Because I knew exactly what kind of vultures you and your wife were," Julian said coldly. He turned to the police officers. "Officers, these men are attempting to unlawfully seize an elderly victim of elder abuse and financial fraud. Please escort them off the premises. If they return, arrest them for harassment and trespassing."
The two burly transport men immediately backed away, realizing they hadn't been given the full story by Joel. Joel glared at Julian, then at the door where Callie was watching.
"This isn't over," Joel hissed, before turning on his heel and storming down the hallway, his boots clicking angrily against the linoleum.
Once the hallway was clear, Callie unlatched the chain and opened the door, her eyes wide with shock. "Julian? I... I remember you from when we were kids."
Julian offered a warm, reassuring smile. "Hello, Callie. I'm sorry it took me so long to get here. I've been tracking Joel and Dakota’s financial movements from Washington, but they moved fast when they dumped Aunt Geneva on your doorstep. Can I come in?"
"Yes, please," Callie breathed, stepping aside.
Julian walked into the modest apartment. He immediately went over to Geneva, who was trembling on the couch. He knelt down, taking her hand gently. "Hi, Aunt Geneva. It’s Julian. Thomas’s boy. You're safe now. The bad guys are leaving."
Geneva blinked, looking at Julian's face. For a brief moment, the fog lifted again. "Thomas... your father had your eyes. You came back."
"I came back to fight for you," Julian said softly.
Julian turned to Callie, his expression turning serious. "Callie, what you found in that safe deposit box is the final piece of the puzzle. I have their bank records showing the fraudulent sale of her house, but I needed the proof of medical coercion and the original, un-tampered will to lock this case down. With what you have, we don't just have a civil case. We have criminal charges."
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Callie felt a massive weight lift from her shoulders, replaced by a sudden surge of hope. "What do we do next?"
"We file for an emergency injunction to strip Joel of his fraudulent power of attorney and grant you temporary legal guardianship," Julian explained, opening his briefcase. "Then, we take everything they stole from her back."
