Chapter 9: Vindication and Redemption

Gordon Hargrove’s delays led to his undoing when he fell short with his finances. Faced with a nine-digit lawsuit, he demanded a jury trial. The bitter event captured widespread media attention. Terri tactfully dissected every defense. Despite her skillful maneuvers, compelling testimony from Vince and his divided family, and Dr. Eugene Kent’s examination, the jury was nearly hung after 72 hours of deliberations. A full day of closed discussion between the jurors, the judge, and counsel followed, and the jurors reconvened with new instructions. Six hours later, they found Cindy’s parents indirectly liable for Phillip Hargrove’s death but exonerated the family of any financial obligations.

Despite the unexpected outcome, Vince felt vindicated by the ruling, and Theresa agreed. A win was a win. They watched his uncle leave the courtroom looking smug. They held back as he stepped before the reporters—expecting a word with a Washington State political figure. He removed a prepared statement but only managed a few sentences before the reporters shouted him down, demanding answers. His sour complexion returned when the media crowd turned hostile.

“Do you feel any remorse over your nephew’s tragic death, Mr. Hargrove?”

Vince smirked as he watched the man squirm alone in front of the media crowd. His sour-faced wife, daughter, and attorney had detoured around the mass to avoid the confrontation. He noticed his parents and Cassidy slipping away, begging off questions as they fled for their vehicle.

“Where did your daughter’s false claims come from?”

“Does she have a troubled past?”

“Has she ever been sexually abused?”

“Do you deny having inappropriate sexual contact with your daughter?”

The last question rang out among News outlets from Portland to Seattle and Spokane, with awkwardly damning headlines.

When Janet Hargrove answered the door, she blinked in surprise to find her son Vincent on the porch with the red-haired attorney who had represented him during the civil suit.

“Vincent? Why—” she stammered before collecting herself and welcoming them inside. “You should have called—I would’ve prepared an early supper.”

“We won’t be long, Mom,” he replied stiffly as he stepped into the living room. He felt a sad chill every time he found himself in the same room where his brother committed suicide. Cassidy stepped out of her room and brightened when she saw her older brother.

“What’s going on?” Roger asked coldly, appearing from Vincent’s old bedroom, now an office.

“Just wanted a quick family meeting if you don’t mind,” Vince replied, gesturing to the table. He winked at his sister, whose smile vanished. “You too, turd. This involves you too.”

The almost sixteen-year-old scrunched her face at him before moving to the table. After nervously asking if either wanted refreshments, Janet took a chair beside her daughter. Roger chose to stand by the table’s head with his back to the kitchen counter.

“What’s this all about, then?” he demanded. “Are you going to sue your own family now?” His tone was angry and spiteful.

Vince smirked back at him as he sat beside Terri, who set a small black portfolio on the table. She hadn’t spoken a word other than politely declining the drink.

“Am I part of the family again?” he chuckled, ignoring the awkward discomfort. Before an argument ensued, he raised his hand placatingly and continued. “No,” he said genially. “This has nothing to do with the past or my being disowned. I talked it over with Theresa and decided to honor your request.” He was staring directly at his mother across from him.

She swallowed nervously, “What ... what do you mean?”

“I’ll bail you out.”

Dead silence filled the dining room as his words sank in. His father responded first with a dismissive snort, earning a sharp glance from his wife.

She turned back to her son and cleared her throat. “Please explain, sweetheart.”

Vincent caught his attorney’s slight nod before speaking. “It’s simple,” he said, looking at his sullen father. “While I question your decision to take out the refi with current high interest rates—I commend your devotion to your brother and his family.” His tone was neutral, but his words stung the older man. His jaw tightened as his estranged son continued. “That aside, the fact remains that you now owe over half a million dollars, which you can’t hope to pay off in your remaining years, with a 5.9% APR.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Even if you paid half the principal, it would still place a huge financial burden on your beneficiary.” He turned to Cassidy, who was staring at the table. She blinked in surprise to find him looking at her.

“So, you want to take over the mortgage and have us owe you instead?” the older man said disdainfully.

“Roger, enough! Sit down!” Even Vince was taken aback by the sudden steel in his mother’s voice as she stood up and turned aggressively on her husband.

His father bristled at her tone. “What’s the point, Janet?” he insisted. “Him or the bank? I’d rather owe the bank!”

“That’s one option,” Vince stated, cutting off the argument between his parents. They both turned to him, and Janet resumed her seat.

“I’m sorry for my poor manners,” she said humbly. “Please continue, dear.”

He smiled at her. “I could carry the papers and receive payments if you prefer,” he explained. “There’d be zero interest on your part, which would help your day-to-day finances.” He paused, studying his father’s calculating expression. “But I was thinking of a better alternative.” He paused again. “I’d rather just pay off the mortgage and be done with it. You would owe me nothing.”

Janet gasped and stared at her stunned husband.

“There are conditions,” he continued, smirking inwardly as his father’s face darkened.

“Of course, there are—” the man muttered before his wife cut him off with another dark look.

She glanced back at her son with a hopeful expression. “Vincent,” she said softly, her voice filled with emotion. “This is incredibly generous of you. I ... I don’t know what to say—”

Her husband interrupted with a snort, “What conditions?”

Vince looked at Terri, who opened her portfolio and produced a stack of legal-sized forms. “I need you to sign a quitclaim deed—”

Roger exhaled explosively, stepping away from the counter. “I knew it!” he stormed. “You want us living under your roof!”

“Not mine,” Vincent replied smugly. He pointed across the table at his little sister. “Hers.”

Their dumbfounded expressions pleased him as his words sank in.

Before Roger could interject, his wife silenced him with a raised hand. She took a shaky breath as she picked up the papers the slight redhead slid over. “I ... I don’t understand,” she said softly.

“It’s simple, Mom,” Vince replied. “Sign the house over to Cassidy, and I will pay it off. Today.”

“With conditional custodial stewardship until she reaches adulthood,” Theresa added, speaking for the first time.

“What does ‘conditional stewardship’ mean?” Roger asked, moving to read the document over his wife’s shoulder.

Vince deferred to the attorney, who said, “Vince maintains custodial stewardship until Miss Cassidy turns 18. You may not refinance, zone, or modify the property during that time without his permission, including HELOCs. My client will authorize major home repairs until the custodial stewardship conditions are met.” She reached back into her portfolio, producing her notary stamp and ledger, which she set on the table. “Please review it carefully, but there are no hidden conditions or clauses.”