PART 11

In early January I met with a lawyer named Helen Alvarez, who reviewed the documents Daniel had signed when I helped finance his marketing consultancy.

The business had survived its first few years but never grown as quickly as he promised.

Helen read the agreement, asked questions about subsequent payments, and explained the distinction between a gift, a loan, and a continuing promise to provide support.

We discussed the possibility of a written repayment schedule rather than a confrontation.