“Glad to hear that, Shaman. Makes my job simple,” Mac replied, smiling at Kieran.
“C’mon, everyone,” Colton said, opening the door to his mother’s room.
~/~/~/~/~
Sitting in Penn’s office, thirty stories high above the city, Fionn’s eyes kept flicking over to the sweeping view outside the windows. His attorney’s voice faded into the background as he fought to control his dragon. Ever since Hunter’s wolf received the gift of wings, his dragon had demanded to be let loose so they could fly together. Sighing internally, he tried to bargain with him, promising it would happen as soon as they returned home, but it was a losing battle until Hunter’s wolf sided with Fionn. With his dragon finally placated, he was able to turn his attention back to Penn only to find his lawyer looking questioningly at him. “Sorry, what did you say?”
“I asked if you have any questions about the assets of your father’s estate.”
Hunter jumped in, saving his mate from answering. “Have all the claims against the estate been paid?”
“Yes. Today’s hearing is merely a formality where the judge will close probate, transferring everything to Fionn, free and clear of any debts.”
“So I can sell my father’s businesses?” asked Fionn.
“Absolutely. Which ones are you thinking of selling?” asked Penn.
“All of them,” Fionn replied.
“I have a client who might be interested in them, or at least some of them. Do you mind if I mention it to him?” asked Penn.
Glancing at Hunter, Fionn asked, “What do you think, mate?”
“I can’t see any harm in Penn doing that, but I think if his client is interested and wants to go further, you should insist on a confidentiality agreement before disclosing any financial or marketing information,” Hunter answered.
“Okay. Go ahead, Penn. The sooner I can get rid of them the better,” Fionn said.
“Good, I’ll contact my client after the court hearing,” Penn replied. “If you have no further questions, how about having lunch with me? I can order in or we can go to the café on the first floor.”
“Pet, which do you prefer?” asked Hunter.
“Here, please, if that’s all right with you, but what about Cody and Dylon?”
“They had some errands to run,” Penn said, “and will meet us at the courthouse.” Pulling out some menus from a drawer, he handed them to Fionn. “Here, all these places have good food. Go ahead, you guys choose. I’ll be back in a minute.” Penn then left his office to check with his secretary about any messages from the lawyer representing Fionn’s uncle. The lack of communication since the contentious last hearing would normally have been welcomed, but he had a niggling feeling it was only the quiet before the storm, and all hell was going to break loose today.
~/~/~/~/~
Invisible, Cody walked through the hallway in the courthouse, searching for the door that would lead him to the chambers of the judge in charge of Fionn’s probate case. Finding it, he took one last look around and, seeing no one, opened the door, slipping through it. Pausing for a moment, he pulled a small recorder from his pocketbefore proceeding further, where he found the judge napping on a couch.
Grinning, Cody shook his shoulder, waking him up while laughing silently to himself. The judge jumped up in an attack position but seeing no one, sat back down. Holding up the recorder, Cody pressed the start button and the voices of the judge and Fionn’s uncle filled the room.
“Look, you told me you wanted custody to gain control of your brother’s hoard and businesses. That can still happen.”
“How? He’s a fucking adult.”
“That part is settled but I still have control of the estate. All you have to do is submit claims against it and I’ll order them to be paid using your brother’s assets to do so.”
“Claims for what?”
“I don’t care. Just make sure you don’t fuck it up this time.”
“I won’t, but you make sure you deliver this time or I want my money back.”
“I’ll deliver, all right, but don’t fuck it up”
As he listened, the judge’s face grew pale. If the High Council ever heard this, he’d not only lose his judgeship but also end up spending the rest of his life in jail. Standing, the judge walked around the room, but couldn’t find the source of the recording. Finally, he sat down at his desk, wondering what to do next.
“Your honor…and I use the term lightly,” Cody said, still invisible.
