Chapter 6
Bradley Vance stood up immediately, buttoning his jacket. "Bradley Vance for the petitioners, Your Honor. We are here today on an urgent matter involving the safety, financial welfare, and cognitive stability of Mrs. Margaret Mitchell."
Thomas stood beside me, unbothered. "Thomas Brennan for Mrs. Mitchell, Your Honor."
"Mr. Vance," the judge said, resting her chin on her hand. "Your petition alleges immediate risk of financial dissipation and erratic behavior stemming from undiagnosed dementia. That is a heavy allegation to bring on an emergency docket. You have fifteen minutes to demonstrate why this court should strip a competent citizen of her fundamental civil liberties."
Vance puffed out his chest, stepping toward the podium. "Thank you, Your Honor. The facts are tragically clear. Mrs. Mitchell is seventy-two years old. Over the last several months, she has exhibited severe paranoia and emotional volatility. On December 23rd, when her entire family—including young grandchildren—traveled to her home for Christmas, Mrs. Mitchell refused them entry. She had installed high-security surveillance, changed every digital entry code, and employed an armed security guard who threatened her own children with police intervention."
Jennifer dabbed at the corner of her eye with a tissue, perfectly on cue.
"Furthermore," Vance continued, raising his voice with theatrical concern, "Mrs. Mitchell has abruptly severed all communication with the individuals who have managed her affairs and supported her since the death of her husband, Richard Mitchell. We have reason to believe that third parties, perhaps unscrupulous contractors or opportunistic individuals, are taking advantage of her isolation to isolate her from her natural beneficiaries and liquidate an estate valued in excess of one point seven million dollars. We are merely asking for a temporary conservatorship to secure the assets, audit her accounts, and place her in an environment where her physical and mental health can be properly monitored."
Judge Alvarez didn't look impressed. She flipped a page in her file. "Mr. Brennan?"
Thomas stood up, adjusting his glasses, holding a single, slim file folder.
"Your Honor, if this were not such an egregious abuse of the judicial process, it would be laughable," Thomas began calmly. "Mr. Vance speaks of my client's mental deterioration. Included in Exhibit A of our response is a comprehensive neuro-psychological evaluation conducted on October 14th by Dr. Robert Sterling, Chief of Geriatric Neurology at the University of Colorado. Dr. Sterling concludes that Mrs. Mitchell possesses superior cognitive function for her age group, zero signs of dementia, and complete executive autonomy."