Harrison leaned in slightly closer to Julian, his tone dropping into a icy, measured register. “If you force us to involve the local authorities who are currently standing by on call, my firm will not merely file for an expedited lockout. We will immediately initiate criminal proceedings for elder financial abuse, coercion, and grand larceny.”

Julian froze. The color completely drained from his face as the reality of his legal exposure settled into his mind. The loud music inside the living room suddenly stopped as several of their invited party guests began peering nervously through the front windows.

“Ten minutes, Julian,” I said, looking at my watch. “Or Harrison files the criminal complaint before the clock strikes nine-fifteen.”

Without another word, Julian turned around and stormed into the house, grabbing Khloe by the wrist as he pulled her inside. Within minutes, embarrassed party guests began trickling out the front door, avoiding eye contact with me as they hurried down the driveway to their cars.

While the locksmiths immediately went to work replacing the heavy front door deadbolts, electronic keypads, and garage access codes, Harrison stepped over to the side of the porch with me.

“We have already secured emergency protective orders for your mother,” Harrison explained softly, handing me a copy of the legal filings. “Tomorrow morning, our financial accountants will audit every transaction made through her accounts over the last twenty-four months. Any funds that were unlawfully diverted into Julian’s personal business accounts or personal debt consolidation loans will be fully recovered through court-ordered restitution.”…