Chapter 10: Everything That Was His Name
The settlement meeting was held in Carol's office on a Thursday morning.
Grant arrived with his attorney, a man named Forsythe who wore a good suit and spoke in the careful, padded language of someone managing a client who was no longer in a strong position.
Grant sat across the conference table from Megan for the first time since the mall.
He looked like he hadn't been sleeping.
Megan had been sleeping fine.
Carol opened.
"My client's position is straightforward.
Full equity share of the marital home.
The investment account balance restored to its pre-transfer amount.
Return of all marital assets moved to the Delaware entity.
Spousal support for seven years.
Joint legal custody with primary physical custody to my client.
And no non-disclosure agreement of any kind."
Forsythe made a note.
"That's an aggressive opening."
"It's not an opening," Carol said.
"It's the settlement."
Grant leaned forward.
"You can't just—"
"Mr.
Blake." Carol's voice didn't rise.
"You have a handwriting analyst report, a forensic accounting report, wire transfer records, and a DA referral sitting in a file with my name on it.
You can negotiate the terms of this settlement, or you can litigate, in which case all of that becomes public record." She folded her hands on the table.
"What would you like to do?"
Forsythe put his hand on Grant's arm.
They stepped out for eleven minutes.
When they came back, Forsythe sat down and opened his folder.
"My client agrees to the equity share and the investment account restoration," he said.
"He's prepared to discuss the Delaware entity assets.
He contests the spousal support duration and is requesting a shared physical custody arrangement."
"Seven years on support," Carol said.
"Non-negotiable.
Primary physical with my client.
Reasonable scheduled visitation for Mr.
Blake, contingent on the outcome of the criminal matter."
Grant's jaw tightened.
"The criminal matter isn't settled."
"No," Carol agreed.
"It isn't."
Another silence.
"The bracelet," Megan said.
Both attorneys looked at her.
"I want it in the agreement.
In writing.
That the bracelet belonged to my mother, was removed from the marital home without my knowledge or consent, and is returned to me as my sole property.
Not a marital asset.
Mine."
Grant looked at her across the table.
Something moved through his expression — not quite guilt, not quite regret.
Something that might have been the closest he could get to either.
"Fine," he said.
It took another two hours.
Forsythe pushed on three clauses.
Carol held on two and gave one.
By noon, the framework was signed.
In the elevator going down, Carol said: "The DA will move on their own timeline.
The civil settlement doesn't affect that."
"I know," Megan said.
"It could be six months.
It could be longer."
"I know."
The elevator doors opened.
The lobby was bright, ordinary, full of people going about their Thursday.
"Are you all right?" Carol asked.
May you like
Megan thought about the question honestly.
"I think I'm going to be," she said.
