The doorbell rang less than twenty minutes later.

Wendy froze in the entryway as I walked past her and opened the front door.

On the porch stood two uniformed police officers, an investigator from Adult Protective Services, and a bank fraud specialist holding a thick document case — the professionals I had set in motion at one in the morning, arriving now, all at once, exactly as planned.

Wendy’s composure snapped back into place with impressive speed.

She stepped in front of the officers, smoothing her hair, switching on the warm and reasonable voice.

“Officers, thank God you’re here.