The letter explained that because he was an authorized joint account holder, the bank was not treating the withdrawals as unauthorized transactions.

It outlined the documentation we could request and the formal channels for further concerns.

I felt the familiar sting of disappointment.

Part of me had wanted someone to declare, in official language, that what happened was unquestionably wrong.

Instead the answer was narrower.

The bank could describe its authority and procedures.

It could not repair a family’s trust.

I showed the letter to Richard.