Shivers of delight ran down David’s spine—all he could do was nod.
“Because I’m awesome and the Fates wouldn’t have given me a mate who wasn’t.”
Giggling, David said, “Pretty sure of yourself, huh?”
Zane kissed his mate behind his ear before saying, “What can I say…when you got it…you got it. Now, how about you gather up all the stuff I printed out and try to organize it. I have about ten more minutes before we meet with Logan.”
Happy to be able to help, David kissed his mate back, then, jumping up, grabbed the papers from the printer and started separating them into different piles.
~/~/~/~/~
“Hello, Penn. I was just about to call you,” Jackson said. after answering his cell phone.
“About Fionn’s hearing?” asked Penn.
“Uh-uh, about Josiah,” Jackson said.
“What did he do now?” asked Penn.
“I’ll let you tell me after you have a chance to review the docs I send you,” Jackson said.
“Give me a sec. In the meantime, check your email for the motion I’ll be filing today on Fionn’s behalf.”
Jackson found the email and, opening the attachment, read the document, chuckling when he was half way through it. Printing it out, Jackson showed it to Steel, smirking at his reaction.
“Jackson?”
“I’m here, Penn,”
“I have to say, Josiah certainly has some cajones,” Penn said.
“So, what do we do with this information?” asked Jackson. “And can it help us with our complaint against him?”
“Before I answer, I want to do some further research, such as pulling the court file to check when he filed his petition for title to the land. If he did it after receiving a copy of your complaint to the High Council, then he doesn’t have a leg to stand on, but if he filed it before he learned you were alive, then he probably has a defense—a weak one—but still a defense. In answer to your other question, I’ll have to research that, also, to see if you’re allowed to amend your complaint so that it includes his fraudulent action to take your pack lands,” Penn explained.
“Penn, what should I do about the grant money Josiah applied for?” asked Steel. “Title to the land was the only thing holding up dispensing the funds.”
“Do you have a deadline to meet?” asked Penn.
“No, and with Slate out of the country, there’s a reason for any delay needed,” replied Steel.
“Fine, then put it off until I get back to you,” Penn said. “One other thing, Jackson. I know you have proof you and your brothers were in Las Vegas at the time of the massacre but this…this title Josiah received through fraudulent means…might be submitted as exculpatory evidence in your defense of his claim that you killed your family members.”
“What exactly does that mean?” asked Jackson.
“It’s something the defendant submits to the court to help exonerate him of guilt in the matter. In this case…the alleged murders of your family. But before we do that, I want to find out what class of crime Josiah committed to get the deed,” Penn said.
“Understood. Now what about Fionn and why are you asking the court to allow testimony by video?”
“I want video testimony from Fionn’s family attorney who’s in France. He’s the legal record keeper of the MacDùghlas hordes so he can certify to the court the dates when gifts were given to Fionn by each family member seeking custody of him. If the court grants my motion, I’ll feel much more confident the court will rule in favor of Fionn’s claim he’s of legal age,” said Penn.
“That’s fine but there’s one other thing you should know,” Jackson said, pausing a moment. “What I’m about to tell you must not be written down, repeated or even spoken aloud even if there isn’t anyone in the room with you. Do you agree?”
“Is it about Fionn?” asked Penn.
“Yes.”
“You have my word,” Penn said.
