“That exact suite has been home to an outpatient physical therapy clinic for six years now,” Thomas said crisply.

“On top of that, Dr.

Marcus Vance lost his North Carolina medical license for good three years ago after a state board review.”

Helen let out a soft breath and drummed her fingers on her tea mug.

“The medical document Patricia gave her legal team is a total fabrication,” Thomas said.

“Can somebody actually hand a forged doctor’s evaluation to a county judge and not get arrested?” I asked.

“People in deep financial trouble make remarkable errors in judgment, Ms.