I gathered the bank statements, auction documents, and the original equipment ownership papers. The following morning, I met with an attorney who advised me to preserve everything and formally challenge the unauthorized sales. Doyle also confirmed that the tractor and baler would remain unsold while the dispute was reviewed. For the first time since Earl’s stroke, I felt that I had some control over what was happening.

Kevin arrived at the farmhouse that afternoon. He was angry that I had stopped the auction and demanded that I withdraw my complaint. I asked him whether he understood what he had done. He looked at the floor and admitted that he had borrowed money from his father’s account without permission. Then he revealed something even worse: he had already promised the tractor to a buyer and had accepted a deposit.