“My daughter was declared medically unfit while deployed,” Helen said, her voice rising in pitch. “I acted in her best interest.”

“The medical evaluation form was signed by a civilian doctor in Norfolk,” Vance said.

He slid a page across the metal table toward her.

“On a date when Lieutenant Colonel Rogers was actively commanding a unit in Okinawa.”

Helen didn’t look at the paper.

“It was a clerical error,” she said.

“It was forgery,” I said from the doorway.

She finally looked at me, her eyes narrowing.

“You were unstable, Emerson. You always were.”

“I was in theater, serving,” I said. “While you were using a falsified medical conservatorship to liquidate the trust my grandfather left me.”

Michael looked up from the bench outside, the door having been left slightly ajar.

“Is that true, Mom?” Michael asked, his voice hollow.

“Michael, stay out of this,” Helen snapped.

“I can’t,” Michael said, standing up and leaning against the doorframe. “You told me Emerson signed the release voluntarily because she didn’t want the responsibility.”

“She didn’t deserve it,” Helen said, her composure cracking.