A rookie firefighter was hired. He was bright, affable, everyone liked him, a quick learner, good worker.

He drove a nice car, was always dressed well. Visited him in his apartment a few times. It was well furnished and kept clean. I thought it somewhat unusual that he could afford all the nice things on a rookie’s salary, but raised no red flags. I figured he was good with his money.

He lasted about 4 years, then had a career ending on-the-job injury. Took disability retirement, and I never saw him again.

Later I heard he was a member one of the country’s wealthiest families, with a name you would immediately ...