Fraud has investigators and subpoenas and liability, and the relatives who had gleefully typed teach her a lesson that morning were now doing frantic arithmetic about how close they stood to a federal crime.

This was the moment the group chat’s brave unanimity revealed its true depth, which was none at all.

That morning they had been happy to abuse a stranger for free.

Now that the abuse had a price — now that standing with Leticia might mean standing near a forgery investigation — they discovered, all at once, their consciences.

The aunt who had cheered was suddenly appalled.

The uncle who had laughed was suddenly concerned about the family’s reputation.