The investigation into the Homefront Fund moved slowly.

Its attorney made a formal report, the board continued reviewing donor records, and authorities requested documents.

I wasn’t present for most of those steps, and I stopped asking Helen for updates she wasn’t free to share.

I had learned something from my own case: the desire to know an ending can make a person impatient with the people who have to establish the facts.

Months later, Donald’s attorney contacted Mara about a possible resolution of the nonprofit matter.