Chapter 18 - WHAT OSCAR ACTUALLY PLANNED
The full first recording finally became admissible enough for attorneys to analyze in context.
Teresa played the remaining section.
Oscar told Patricia:
“Once Lucy signs the authorization, I change access.”
Then:
“When she comes home, I tell her the notary is coming.”
Patricia:
“And if she refuses?”
Oscar:
“She stays with Ray until she’s ready to be reasonable.”
There.
Direct.
Patricia:
“You cannot keep her out of her own property.”
Oscar:
“I’m not keeping her out. I’m setting a condition.”
Patricia:
“That’s the same thing.”
Oscar:
“No. It’s leverage.”
Again.
Leverage.
Then the baby.
Patricia:
“And the custody threat?”
Oscar:
“I don’t want Grace. I want Lucy to know I can fight.”
My body went cold.
He did want his daughter.
I believe that.
But in this moment, he was speaking about custody as a weapon.
Then:
“She’ll sign before she lets lawyers drag the baby through court.”
That was the plan.
Not steal the condo through one magic document.
Not secretly own everything.
Pressure.
Lockout.
Threat.
Notary appointment.
Financial fear.
May you like
Custody fear.
A sequence designed to make saying no more expensive than saying yes.
