His question nearly undid me.

“We don’t need your money, sweetheart.”

He hugged the puppy.

“All right.”

The investigators asked me to come to a safe location where the files could be received properly and my account documented.

They coordinated with authorities in Vermont using the cabin information.

This did not happen because Douglas knew how to threaten somebody or because a family friend could make a telephone call that bypassed every requirement.

The urgency came from a potentially endangered infant, identifiable locations, a child’s account, and documents that required prompt verification.