Chapter 7 - The Depositions
Three weeks later, the divorce proceedings reached the formal discovery phase.
Marcus sat at the long mahogany conference table in his attorney’s office in downtown Macon. Sitting across from him was Denise, flanked by her high-priced divorce lawyer, Arthur Pendelton. Denise looked noticeably thinner, her polished suburban aesthetic frayed around the edges. She was living in a rented townhouse on the outskirts of town.
"Mr. Bell," Pendelton began, leaning forward. "My client is willing to settle this quietly. She will waive her right to alimony and primary alimony support if you grant her fifty percent equity in the Macon residence and joint custody of household assets."
Marcus’s lawyer, Sarah Jenkins, laughed out loud. "Mr. Pendelton, you must be joking."
"We are not joking," Pendelton countered smoothly. "Denise contributed significantly to the renovation of that home over the last three years."
Marcus leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. He looked directly at Denise, who refused to meet his eyes.
"Sarah," Marcus said to his attorney without breaking gaze with Denise. "Pull out Exhibit C."
Sarah slid a thick stack of printed financial statements across the table.
"What is this?" Pendelton asked, frowning.
"That," Marcus said, "is a forensic accounting audit of the joint bank account Denise and I shared over the last thirty-six months. Do you know what I found, Denise?"
Denise swallowed hard, her hand trembling slightly as she touched her pearl necklace.
"I found that while you were telling me Amara’s private school tuition was 'draining our savings,' you were transferring six hundred dollars a month into a private investment account under Taylor’s name," Marcus said, his voice deadly quiet. "I found that the fifty-thousand-dollar budget for Taylor’s party was funneled through my business expense account without my authorization."
Pendelton looked at Denise, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. "Denise? Is this accurate?"
"He approved those transfers!" Denise squeaked out, her voice cracking. "He said I could manage the household budget!"
"I approved household expenses, Denise," Marcus snapped. "Not embezzlement. You committed grand larceny. If this goes to trial, I won't just take the house. I will press criminal charges with the Bibb County District Attorney’s office."
Denise’s lawyer closed his folder slowly. He leaned over and whispered something into Denise’s ear. Denise’s face went completely ash-white. She buried her face in her hands and began to weep—not with remorse for what she had done to Amara, but with the terrifying realization that her life of suburban comfort had completely collapsed.
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"We... we need a fifteen-minute caucus," Pendelton said quietly, pushing his chair back.
"Take all the time you need," Marcus said, standing up and buttoning his suit jacket. "You have until five PM to sign the total relinquishment of claims. Otherwise, the police will be waiting at your townhouse."
