“I have not had a single drink, Dad,” Chloe said.

She looked at the officers, her eyes wide and wet.

“They stole her money,” Chloe said, pointing at me.

“Our grandmother left a medical trust for Maya’s surgeries.”

“They spent it on this house, on my school, on their cars,” Chloe sobbed.

The younger officer began writing rapidly on her notepad.

“Sir, we need to step inside and speak about this,” the older officer said to Father.

“I am not going inside my own house under escort,” Father said, his voice rising.

“Do you know who I am?”

“I know you are Arthur Vance,” the officer said calmly.

“And I know that we have a duty to investigate these claims.”

Mother covered her mouth with her hand, a soft sob escaping her lips.

“Arthur, please,” Mother whispered.

“The neighbors are looking.”

“Let them look,” Father snapped, his patience finally breaking.

He turned to the younger officer, his face reddening.

“This is a private family matter.”

“It ceased to be a private matter when the call came in, sir,” the officer replied.