Page 71 of Where Secrets Lie

Judge Sticklesby turned to Boswell. “What about Hornbrook?”

“One moment, Your Honor.” Boswell huddled with the other two attorneys. “We have some new evidence of our own, Your Honor.” He shot a sidelong glance at Hez. “We have been in touch with James Hornbrook via text. He is the founder and CEO of Hornbrook Finance, and he says that he had no ideathat these artifacts were smuggled. He trusted Ms. Legare, just like the university allegedly did.” He held up a phone and read from the screen. “His exact words are, ‘Please tell the judge that if I had any hint that these items were looted, I never would have told my clients about them, let alone purchased one myself. I am horrified.’”

The judge drummed her fingers for a moment. “What about the encrypted videoconferences with Ms. Legare?”

“He says those related to the negotiation of the loan the university was seeking—which makes perfect sense because Ms. Legare was the university’s chief financial officer.”

The judge frowned in thought for a few seconds. “Is he willing to repeat all of that under oath?”

“Yes, Your Honor. To quote him again, ‘I’ll swear everything on a stack of Bibles.’”

“All right, anything else?”

“Yes. The university’s counsel did not deny—or even address—our main argument: that Hornbrook Finance is the sole secured creditor and that it is being harmed every day as the value of its collateral decreases.”

“Thank you. I have a few questions for Mr. Webster.”

Boswell sat and Hez stepped to the lectern. “Yes, Your Honor?”

Judge Sticklesby flipped through Bruno’s affidavit. “Is there anything in here indicating that anyone at Hornbrook Finance knew these artifacts were looted? For example, an email saying, ‘I’m smuggling another statue to you,’ or ‘Here are the forged provenance documents you requested’?”

If only. “No, Your Honor.”

“And do you dispute that the amount of the university’s debtto Hornbrook exceeds the liquidation value of the university’s assets?”

“I don’t think liquidation value is a fair benchmark, Your Honor. The university’s—”

The judge speared Hez with a look. “That’s a yes or no question, Mr. Webster.”

Hez swallowed hard. “No, Your Honor.”

“Thank you.” The judge dismissed Hez with a nod and he resumed his seat. She turned to Boswell. “Your client’s CEO says he’s willing to swear on a stack of Bibles. I want him to actually do it. You have forty-eight hours to file an affidavit from him stating exactly what you just told me. Once I receive that, I’ll grant your motion.”

Savannah gasped and gripped Hez’s arm. “What are we going to do?” she whispered, her voice tight with panic.

If only he knew.

***

In spite of the warm spring sunshine on her arms, Savannah was so cold she couldn’t stop shaking. She’d seen the failure and despair on Hez’s face when they left the courtroom, and it felt like the end of all their dreams. What would she say to all the faculty and students? How could she tell them she’d failed them all?

Maybe she was wrong and there was some hope. She tugged Hez far enough away from Hornbrook’s smiling attorneys that they couldn’t be overheard. “Is the situation as bad as it seems?”

His mouth tugged farther down in his pale face. “Unfortunately, it couldn’t be much worse. They’ll have that affidavitthe judge demanded by day’s end. Judge Sticklesby will sign the order, and they’ll be able to seize everything TGU owns.” He rubbed his forehead. “I let you down, babe. Again.”

She slumped against him and struggled to keep her composure. TGU would cease to exist. That shyster Hornbrook would have their bank accounts, their buildings, their future. She’d probably be locked out of her office, but she couldn’t think about anything but the way things had crumbled around them. She straightened and clasped her arms around herself, giving in to the despair. How would they survive this blow?

She started to turn back to Hez and realized he’d moved away. She spotted him talking to Boswell. His intent expression told her he was on a mission, and she felt a glimmer of hope. Was there something he could do after all?

His jaw set in a hard line, Hez walked back toward her. “I asked for a settlement meeting, and Boswell is calling Hornbrook to see if he’d be willing to talk.”

The glimmer of hope went dark. “A settlement meeting? Are you ready for that?” It was over, really over.

Hez shrugged. “I’d need another month to be really ready, but we have no choice. TGU will be long gone in a month. Maybe we can salvage something.”

An undercurrent in his tone made her wonder if he had something up his sleeve, but before she could ask what he planned, Boswell came their way with a purposeful stride. The set of his shoulders and the arrogant tilt to his chin set her teeth on edge.

He swiped at a strand of silver hair that had been caught by the wind. “My client is sick of your delaying tactics, Webster. If you have a serious offer to make, you can do it in person atMr. Hornbrook’s New York office tomorrow morning. Don’t show up with an army of attorneys either. You can bring one other person, and Mr. Hornbrook will give you fifteen minutes. Take it or leave it.”

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