The future was still uncertain, but it was beginning to have dates, names, and practical steps instead of only fear.

Mark had been quietly transferring client funds into a shell business account he controlled.

He had lost almost all of it in speculative market trades.

His firm was launching an internal audit the following week.

If the discrepancy was uncovered, he faced grand larceny charges and total professional ruin.

Then I saw an outgoing wire transfer for $48,000.

Destination account holder: Evelyn Salgado.

My mother-in-law hadn’t just been helping Mark.