I worked nights to pay for our wedding, and when I picked up my last passenger, I saw my fiancé step into the car holding a pregnant woman close.

Carol called me the next morning at nine.

I was sitting at Diane's kitchen table with a cup of coffee I hadn't touched.

Diane was across from me, pretending to read something on her tablet, not reading it.

—The fraud unit has opened a formal investigation, Carol said.

Between your bank's report, the forged authorization document — which arrived by courier this morning, thank you — and the loan records Daniel Mercer's contact has provided, there's enough to move on.

They'll be contacting Brandon today.

—Today?

—Likely this afternoon.

I also heard from my colleague in Indianapolis.

The private lender is cooperating fully.

He's not interested in protecting someone who used a forged document to secure a loan against a property that doesn't exist.

He wants his forty thousand dollars back and he wants Brandon charged.

Diane looked up from her tablet.

—What about the woman in Cincinnati?

I asked.

—Her name is Melissa Carr.

She's filed her own complaint this morning.

Apparently she and Brandon had an arrangement — he had told her he was a property investor and had convinced her to transfer eight thousand dollars toward a joint investment account six months ago.

I set my coffee cup down.

—He did the same thing to her.

—A variation of it, yes.

Different amounts, different story, same structure.

— Carol paused.

— Rachel, this is not a man who made mistakes under pressure.

This is a pattern.

He identified women with some savings, built trust, gained access, and extracted money while keeping each situation separate enough that none of you could see the full picture.

Diane reached across the table and put her hand over mine.

—How many?

I asked.

—We know of three.

You, Hannah, Melissa.

There may be others.

The fraud unit will look at his full financial history.

I thought about the way he had looked at me in the beginning.

The attention.

The way he had remembered small things I said.

The way he had made me feel like I was the one he had been waiting for.

That was the skill.

That was what he was actually good at.

—What happens now?

I asked.

—He'll be contacted for questioning.

His accounts will be reviewed.

Given the forged document and the multi-state nature of the fraud, this will likely involve both Ohio and Indiana authorities.

— She paused.

— I want you to be prepared for him to try to contact you again before that happens.

He may try to negotiate.

He may try to frighten you.

He may try to use Hannah.

—He already tried all three.

—Then he's running out of options.

— Her voice was steady.

— Stay at your sister's.

Don't go back to your apartment alone until I tell you it's clear.

And Rachel — you did everything right.

You moved fast, you documented everything, and you didn't let him talk you into waiting.

I hung up and looked at Diane.

—They're going to question him today.

Diane nodded slowly.

—Good.

My phone buzzed.

Hannah.

I answered.

—Rachel.

— She sounded exhausted.

The kind of exhausted that goes past sleep.

— My uncle told me about Melissa.

—I know.

I just found out too.

—How many of us are there?

—At least three.

Maybe more.

A long breath on her end.

—I keep thinking about the ceremony.

It was small — just family, like I told you.

He cried during the vows.

I thought — I thought that meant something.

—Hannah.

—I know.

I know it doesn't change anything.

—Where are you right now?

—Still at the hotel.

My uncle is coming this afternoon to drive me back to Indianapolis.

I can't — I can't stay here.

—That's the right thing to do.

Go home.

—Rachel, I'm sorry.

I know that probably sounds strange, coming from me.

But I am.

You were saving money for your wedding.

You were working nights.

And he was—

—Stop.

You didn't do anything to me.

He did.

She was quiet for a moment.

—Will you let me know what happens?

When they — when they question him?

—I will.

—Thank you.

— A pause.

— I hope you get every dollar back.

I almost said *you too*.

Then I remembered the forty thousand dollars her uncle's contact was owed.

The eight thousand Melissa had sent.

The four thousand two hundred of mine.

Brandon had built an entire architecture of borrowed trust and stolen money, and he had done it carefully, patiently, over years, with a smile that made every single one of us feel chosen.

My phone buzzed again while Hannah and I were still on the line.

A number I didn't recognize.

Ohio area code.

Not Columbus.

I told Hannah I'd call her later and switched over.

—Rachel?

This is Detective Anita Shaw, Columbus Fraud Division.

I'd like to ask you a few questions, if you have time this morning.

—Yes, I said.

I have time.

—I should let you know — we attempted to reach Brandon Hale at the hotel where he was staying this morning.

He checked out at six a.m.