Chapter 8: Everything Eleanor Built
Eleanor Voss did not go quietly.
Her attorney filed three separate motions in the first week, each one arguing that the DA's evidence had been improperly obtained, that Dr.
Fell's statement was coerced, and that Eleanor's connection to the LLC was a matter of legitimate business consulting.
Each motion was denied.
The second week, a story appeared in a financial newsletter suggesting that Shelby Harlan had fabricated the voicemail to gain leverage in divorce proceedings.
The story cited two anonymous sources close to the Harlan family.
Dana called me the morning it published.
"Don't respond," she said.
"I wasn't going to."
"I mean it.
Not a word.
Not to anyone."
"Dana." I poured my coffee.
"I know."
The story disappeared within forty-eight hours when the DA's office confirmed the voicemail's authenticity and announced that a grand jury had been convened.
The third week, Eleanor's attorney reached out to Dana directly with an offer.
Dana called me from the parking lot of the courthouse.
"She wants to settle," Dana said.
"Civil only.
She'll pay your medical costs, emotional damages, and legal fees.
In exchange, you agree not to testify in any criminal proceeding and you sign a non-disclosure."
I was standing in my kitchen.
"No," I said.
"Shelby, the number she's offering—"
"I don't care about the number."
"It's significant."
"Dana." I set my cup down.
"She had a doctor remove my uterus while I was unconscious.
She did it to protect a board vote.
And she has done this to at least one other woman." I paused.
"What does the money do for the next one?"
Dana was quiet.
"I'll tell them no," she said.
"Tell them I said no personally.
I want her to know it came from me."
Three days later, Eleanor Voss was formally indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit medical fraud, unlawful procurement of surgical procedure, and obstruction of justice.
Dr.
Fell was charged separately on two counts related to the surgery itself, with a reduced charge in exchange for full cooperation.
Jared pleaded guilty to one count of medical fraud and one count of conspiracy.
His attorney negotiated a suspended sentence in exchange for complete cooperation with the investigation into Eleanor's broader network.
He would serve no prison time.
He would, however, lose his position at Harlan Media permanently, forfeit his shares in the company, and pay a civil settlement to me that Dana described as "more than fair."
I signed the divorce papers on a Tuesday morning.
Jared was not in the room.
His attorney handed me the pen.
I signed where the tabs indicated.
I handed the pen back.
And that was the end of eight years.
I walked out of the attorney's office into a gray October morning.
Dana was waiting on the steps.
She had brought two cups of coffee from the place across the street.
She handed me one without saying anything.
We stood there for a moment, not talking.
"Eleanor's arraignment is Thursday," Dana said finally.
"I know."
"You don't have to be there."
"I know that too." I took a sip of the coffee.
It was too hot but I held it anyway.
"I'll be there."
Dana nodded.
We walked to her car.
May you like
She didn't ask if I was okay.
That was one of the things I had always loved about her.
