Page 68 of Learning to Trust

“Your sister is right, but he must be exceptionally stupid to think he would get away with his crimes. Or he planned to pin everything on you,” Allison warned.

Turning to Andrew, I said, “I knew he was hiding something serious and the directors blocking my inquiries now makes sense.”

“Will he be in the courtroom?” Andrew asked.

“Yes, he insisted on being present.” Allison glanced at the watch on her wrist. “We need to make our way into the courtroom.”

We all stood and after I received a hug from Janice and Steve, with murmurs of good luck, I hugged and kissed Andrew.

We all walked side by side to the entry door of the room where the hearing would take place. Our friends stood, hugged me, and wished us well. Andrew hugged and kissed me one last time before a clerk of the court ushered Allison and me inside.

I sighted my father off to the right of the room. He was dressed in his signature black suit, white shirt, and blue tie and stood speaking to two other men. One was Ron Quinn, one of the men I had spoken to about my concerns. He was a lawyer and director in the company. I wondered about his level of involvement in the criminal activities. Dad didn't acknowledge me, nor did I acknowledge him.

Allison led me to a table on our left and we stood behind two wooden chairs. She deposited the folders and her purse in front of her.

A door off to one side, near the judge’s bench, was opened by the clerk and he announced the entry of Judge Rachel Tune.

We all stood upright while she stepped up to the bench and took her seat. Everyone in the room then sat, including the court reporter who seated herself on a chair at a table holding a stenotype machine.

Everyone remained quiet while the judge shuffled papers as she read. Moments later she shifted them into a neat pile, clasped her hands together on top, and looked over to my father.

"Mr. Pennant, why are we here?" Why do you feel entitled to your son's money? On reading what I have been presented with, your effort to acquire David Pennant's money is suspiciously like extortion. You are offering to give him the rights to a program, one that you have no valid claim to from what I understand, providing he pays first."

“Your Honor, he owes me that money for two reasons—One, my company is the legal owner of the program, and two, my late wife, God rest her soul, should have never left was rightfully mine to our children.”

The judge narrowed her eyes. "According to documents filed, which I have been given a copy of, you opposed your wife's will to leave her family's money to your children and your claim was overruled. The monies were dispersed to your son and daughter legally and you have no subsequent right to any of the funds."

“Your Honor, my son worked on the application he claims as his own in company time and using company resources. I am only asking for a fraction of what is due my company.”

"I am not sure why you have raised this point, Mr. Pennant. I have sworn affidavits here in front of me from the development team stating they not only didn't have any input into the disputed program, but they had no knowledge of any such program. I have also received affidavits from two highly qualified police forensic computer analysts stating there is no evidence on any company computer or company server of the program in dispute. They also affirm the program on the laptop your son willingly handed over, along with his home desktop, showed the only time spent on development was after hours during evenings, on weekends, and during his vacation time. I find your accusations against your son to be both unfounded and spurious."

“Your Honor, may I?” Allison held out a paper and when the judge nodded in agreement, the clerk transferred the document to her.

We sat quietly while the judge read over the information. When she lifted her eyes, they fixed on me and I took a deep breath.

"David, I am deeply sorry you have been put in a position of having to defend yourself against your father's accusations. He has not and appears to never have had, grounds for attempting to claim your money and other assets. According to past colleagues of yours, you are a good, honest man who didn't deserve to be placed in this position, and for that, you should be compensated for your distress."

She continued with her focus on my father.

"Mr. Pennant, it is alleged you and the company directors, one of whom is present here today, have conspired to put a successful company into serious trouble. These allegations will be decided at another time. You are to pay your son the sum of one hundred and fifty million dollars from your own private funds which I suspect are vast. This is to be transferred to his bank account within seven days. Failure to do so will result in you being held in contempt and a jail term of two years minimum, without parole, will be imposed. As you are under home monitoring and your passport has been seized, I am confident you will not flee."

My father sprang to his feet, his face fiery red. “You bitch, I’ll appeal.”

"Mr. Quinn, Mr. Kraft, I suggest you control your client and explain to him an appeal would be a waste of all our time."

Mr. Quinn laid a hand on my father's arm and whispered in his ear. Despite his agitation, Dad sat with his lawyer.

"Mr. Pennant. I am formally dismissing all charges against David Pennant, and he may release the program—Eyely—free from obligation, legal or otherwise, to Pennant Electronics. I suspect your company will ultimately be placed into receivership as a result of your, and the board's alleged criminal behavior. Attempting to extort money from a son, who is innocent of any wrongdoing was never going to be successful or absolve you of alleged crimes to be answered for in the future."

I watched as my father shook with what I knew was anger but turned back to the judge when she once again spoke.

“David, going forward, the company you were previously employed by—Pennant Electronics, will have no legal or moral claim on programs or applications you develop. I wish you every success, young man.”

“Thank you, Your Honor.”

The judge banged the gavel, finalizing her judgment. Allison and I stood after the judge left the courtroom and shook hands before she leaned in and kissed my cheek. "I told you there was nothing to worry about."

“You did and thank you for everything.”