The page featured photographs of him in a uniform jacket, standing before a wall of flags.

A polished biography described a twenty-eight-year Army career, multiple deployments, and an award for valor.

I knew enough to recognize that several details did not fit together.

But I refused to turn suspicion into proof.

An exaggerated speech at dinner wasn’t the same as verifiable fraud.

Miriam suggested we preserve public advertising, donation requests, and any communications in which Wendell had used his claimed service to solicit money.

She would refer potential financial misconduct to appropriate authorities if the documents supported it.