The Court Put The Company Shares Into My Name

I read the order at Mara's desk because I did not trust myself to read it alone.

The February 2025 document was denied admission. The court found that it had not been signed and witnessed as it claimed. The 2020 will and the October 2024 codicil were admitted.

Victor would inherit the land after administration. I would inherit June Bug and all shares in Lantern Loop Railway, Inc.

The judge had also found that Victor knowingly offered a false document and tried to dispose of property he lacked authority to sell. A later hearing would set the amount of fees he owed for that conduct.

I read the paragraph about the company three times.

"He thought I got an engine that wouldn't run," I said.

Mara smiled. "Your grandfather gave you the business that could keep it running."

"Can I open?"

"Soon. There are still steps."

For once, steps sounded kind.

Lucia filed an accounting and asked for authority to distribute the shares and engine while keeping enough estate funds for debts, taxes, and expenses. The court approved it after the required notice. Victor's land gift stayed subject to the company's recorded lease.

Lucia signed the stock transfer. I signed the receipt. As sole shareholder, I elected myself director, then completed the papers naming me president.

At the bank, I showed the court orders, corporate resolutions, stock record, and my driver's license.

The manager checked every page.

I had never loved a slow bank appointment so much.

The ticket booth cash had been counted and sealed by Lucia. I signed for its $146 float. Then I set up two approvals for large purchases, even though I held every share. Our outside bookkeeper would check them with me.

"You don't need a second owner to keep good controls," she said.

I knew that from brakes. A train had more than one way to stop because one good part could still fail. I wanted the books built with the same care. Grandpa's trust deserved something stronger than my promise to be careful.

The account still held $20,200. The missing $8,400 was under a separate recovery claim. I approved only the bills needed to reopen: $1,180 for insurance, $235 for crossing parts, and $310 for an outside safety review.

I paid the company rent from its account into the estate's account. Six hundred dollars, with the month on the memo line.

Victor's lawyer acknowledged receipt.

He had expected to clear six acres. Instead, he had a tenant with nearly two decades left on its lease.

Lucia's audit traced the false clearance payment into Victor's development account. His supposed crew had no time sheets, disposal receipts, or work order. The bank's check image matched a saved image of Grandpa's signature, rather than his uneven handwriting that final month.

Victor repaid the $8,400 after Lucia filed suit. That settled the company's demand for its principal, but the agreement did not end the criminal review or forgive the false will.

Mara made sure that sentence stayed in the signed settlement.

At the fee hearing, the judge ordered Victor to pay $14,600 for the legal work caused by his bad conduct. It covered my legal bills and the document examiner. My unused retainer balance came back separately. No one paid me twice.

The bond was released. I returned Mom's $2,000 at her kitchen table.

"You could have kept it for a while," she said.

"I know."

She put the check under her sugar bowl.

"Next time I tell you to keep the peace, remind me what peace cost."

"I'll bring a receipt."

We laughed for the first time in weeks.

Cypress Hammer canceled the sale in writing and removed every equipment listing. Owen sent a corrected record saying Victor had failed to prove authority. His company kept its listing fee, as its contract allowed.

The land buyer canceled under the lease contingency. No one could promise it an empty railway site anymore.

Denny came by while I rehung the shed keys.

"Need a Sunday driver?" he asked.

I looked at him for a long moment.

"I need people who tell me when someone plans to move my equipment."

He nodded.

"I understand."

"You helped by telling the truth. I won't forget it. But I'm not hiring today."

He left his number anyway. I filed it with the other job requests.

The safety reviewer cleared June Bug for service after a load test. At walking speed, I listened beside the track. The new bearing kept its plain, even beat.

I ordered fresh ticket rolls without the words Final Weekend.

Then a certified envelope arrived at Mara's office. The state attorney had filed charges over the forged will and the false check, and the notice named me as a victim.