Walter Vance’s lawyers sent a letter disputing every suggestion of wrongdoing.

It described him as a devoted physician who had made difficult decisions under extraordinary circumstances and accused the family of looking for someone to blame after an inexplicable illness.

Kenneth read the letter once and set it down.

“Part of it is designed to make me doubt myself,” he said.

“Then give the doctors and investigators the documents, not your anger,” I replied.

We did not see Walter that week.