Chapter 6 - The Uninvited Guest: Dana Reeves Crashes the Sunday Brunch
Judith Mercer was having a lovely morning on the cedar deck of the lake house.
She was reclining on an imported chaise lounge, sipping mimosa from a crystal flute, reading a luxury home magazine, when the quiet morning was shattered by the deep, rhythmic rumble of heavy diesel engines.
Judith lowered her sunglasses.
Two black Lincoln Navigators and an official County Sheriff patrol cruiser were pulling up the winding driveway, parking directly across the manicured grass.
The driver’s door of the lead Navigator opened.
Dana Reeves stepped out.
She was dressed in a tailored navy-blue pantsuit, her silver hair pulled back into a sharp bun, carrying a thick leather trial briefcase. Behind her stepped Deputy Sheriff Miller, his hand resting casually on his duty belt.
Judith sat up, clutching her robe around her throat. "What is the meaning of this? This is private property!"
Dana walked up the wide stone stairs onto the deck, her heels clicking with absolute authority. She didn't stop until she was standing directly over Judith's lounge chair.
"Good morning, Mrs. Mercer," Dana said in a tone that could freeze boiling water. "I am Dana Reeves, sole managing trustee of the Samuel Thorne Heritage Trust."
Judith scoffed, attempting to muster her usual high-society sneer. "I know who you are. Colin’s lawyers are already handling you. You have no right to trespass on our family retreat."
"Actually, Judith," Dana replied, opening her briefcase and producing a stack of laminated legal orders, "you are the trespasser. And as of ten minutes ago, you are officially in breach of Texas Penal Code Section 30.05."
Dana dropped the documents into Judith's lap.
"This is an immediate, unconditional Notice to Vacate. You have exactly twenty-four hours to remove your personal clothing from this property. You are forbidden from removing furniture, artwork, electronics, or fixtures."
Judith leaped to her feet, her caftan billowing in the lake breeze. "This house belongs to my son! He was married to Rachel for eleven years! We have an equitable claim!"
Deputy Miller stepped forward, his voice flat and stern. "Ma'am, this property is owned by a private corporate trust. You have no legal lease, no title, and no authorization to be on these premises. If you are still here at ten o'clock tomorrow morning, you will be arrested for criminal trespass."
Dana leaned in close to Judith, her voice dropping into a razor-sharp whisper.
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"And Judith? We've already calculated the bill. Under Article Fourteen, you and Colin currently owe the trust two hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars in unauthorized occupancy fines. Have your checkbook ready."
Judith staggered backward, her champagne flute slipping from her fingers and shattering on the cedar deck below.
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