“Harassment and immediate threat to a minor,” Marcus said. “They are claiming you used your military credentials to unlawfully access their family’s private credit files.”

My father’s jaw tightened, a hard line forming along his cheek.

“They used that pending petition to request a temporary freeze on your military bank account,” Marcus continued. “It’s a nuisance filing, Michael, but the local bank branch complied automatically to avoid liability.”

“They are trying to lock us down,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.

I looked down at Owen, who was sleeping in the plastic hospital bassinet beside my bed.

His tiny fingers twitched against his soft blue blanket.

My father stared at the blank screen of the credit card terminal in the nurse’s hand.

“We need someone who can look at their books,” my father said into the phone. “Not just a family lawyer. An expert.”

“I already anticipated that,” Marcus said. “I have a forensic accountant named Karen Croft. She retired from the military’s criminal investigation division last year.”

“Call her,” my father said. “Tell her I will guarantee her fee the moment this freeze is lifted.”