A Stranger Left an Envelope Beside My Bed on My Sixty-Second Birthday—Then I Found His Photograph with My Son

That was my preference, not a favor he had earned.

“I can’t promise that no criminal case will ever follow,” Martha said when I told her.

“You have already reported facts.

The bank has facts of its own.

Decisions about charges are not yours or mine alone.”

“I understand.”

“We can pursue recovery without bargaining away the truth.”

“Then that’s what I want.”