Then she told me not to speculate or call the lender myself pretending to be entitled to information.

We would review my credit reports, disclosures, and the settlement documents, then request supporting records through the proper channels if needed.

That afternoon I remembered something Roger had said shortly before leaving: he needed to “move some numbers around” until a commission came through.

I’d thought it was about work.

I had stopped asking him questions because every financial discussion ended with him saying I didn’t understand.

By Friday, Melissa had copies of the account statements I was authorized to access and a preliminary list of questions for Roger’s lawyer.