The line went silent for several long seconds, and when Delia finally spoke, her voice was thin and shaking. “Dad? That is not funny, Brianna. Leonard found him himself.” Colton grabbed the phone and demanded to know who was playing games. Dad answered calmly that he had never felt better, and that yesterday morning he had visited his attorney, Ms. Ortega, and signed new papers.

“I placed the house, the truck, and every account into a trust,” he said. “And I named Brianna as the only trustee.” Something shattered on their end. Delia whispered, “You cannot do that.” Before Dad could answer, tires crunched on the gravel outside my window. I looked out and saw a police cruiser, followed by a gray sedan. Leonard stepped out, holding a thick folder, and behind him came a woman in a navy suit. “Right on time,” Dad said.