“This is a formal emergency injunction and court summons for elder financial exploitation, conversion, and grand larceny under Franklin County statutes.”

Mark scanned the legal heading on the top sheet, his mouth opening and closing as Sloan stepped out of the back hallway holding an empty glass coffee mug.

“This is a ridiculous scare tactic,” Mark said, his voice rising as he tried to push the blue folder back against David’s chest.

“My mother suffers from severe cognitive decline and lacks the legal capacity to retain an attorney or sign a representation agreement.”

“Loretta has seventy-two pages of handwritten checkbook register entries and perfect mental clarity,” Rachel said, stepping past him toward the kitchen island and clicking her ballpoint pen twice as she pulled a narrow spiral notebook from her coat pocket.