On the back porch afterward, I wrote the questions I still needed answered.

I wanted to keep the list separate from the messages because every accusation pulled me away from the first question: where had the money gone, and under what authority?

Richard called again.

“Patricia has been under enormous pressure,” he said.

“Emily says she was told she was unwanted.”

“Children misunderstand.”

“Then explain the words.”

“You’re building a case against her grandmother from a ten-year-old’s account.”