He did not look at the attorney.

His eyes remained locked on Trevor.

“Mr. Pike, do you recognize the signature on these loan applications from the First National Bank of Asheville?”

The judge held up a laminated copy of the document my lawyer had just entered into evidence.

Trevor swallowed hard.

I could see the pulse throbbing in his neck from where I stood.

“It appears to be my signature, Your Honor,” Trevor said.

“It does indeed,” Judge Whitaker said. “And the property listed as collateral for this personal business loan?”

Trevor did not answer.

“It is the Cedar Hollow property,” the judge said, answering his own question. “The property currently held in trust for Ms. Meredith Lane.”

My mother, Denise, let out a soft gasp from the gallery behind me.

I did not turn around to look at her.

“Furthermore,” the judge continued, “the date on this application is three weeks prior to the filing of this partition lawsuit.”

He looked over his glasses at Trevor.

“You attempted to borrow eight hundred thousand dollars against land you did not own, did you not?”