Fatal Fraud: A Fatal Series Novel

by Marie Force

  “Is there any chance his wife knows you’re more than friends?” Freddie asked.

  “I don’t know what she knows. We don’t talk about her. They don’t have the money to get divorced, so they’re forced to live together. From what Mark says, she stays in her part of the house, and he stays in his.”

  Sam couldn’t conceive of living like that. It reminded her too much of her miserable first marriage during which she’d go days without actually speaking to Peter, usually when he was punishing her for some perceived transgression. Thinking about that horrible time in her life could always make her feel furious with herself about what she’d put up with for far too long.

  “You’re not going to make our relationship public, are you?” Tina asked.

  “Not unless it plays into Ginny’s murder in some way.”

  “It won’t. Neither of us had anything to gain by killing the only person who knew where the money was stashed.”

  As she always did, Sam handed over her business card. “If you think of anything else that might be relevant, call me. No matter how trivial it might seem.”

  Tina took the card and got up to show them out.

  “We appreciate your time,” Sam said at the door. “And I’m sorry for your losses.”

  “Thank you.”

  When they stepped outside, the door clicked shut behind them, and the locks reengaged.

  “Don’t be envious of people who live in nice neighborhoods like these,” Sam said to Freddie as they walked to the car. “The beautiful facades often hide the suffering within. People look at someone like Tina living in that beautiful home and think she has it made, when that’s not true. Her life inside that beautiful home is in ruins.”

  “All because a friend talked her out of her money.”

  “I want to know if there’s a video of Ginny’s sales pitch, because if there is, I’d love to see what was so incredibly special about her that she could talk people into parting with their life savings.”

  “I’ll check the federal files again to see if there’s anything like that, but I didn’t see anything the first time I looked.”

  “I just feel like my bullshit-o-meter would be registering in the red zone if she tried to get me to part with my money. Didn’t anyone think, ‘Hey, maybe this is a massive con’?”

  “You would have because you’re preconditioned to think the worst of people. Someone like Tina, she doesn’t think that way. She hasn’t seen what you have.”

  “True.” Sam glanced at the clock, which inched closer to noon. When she thought of how many hours she had to get through before she could go home… Ugh. And tonight was the grief group too. Double ugh. “Me and my big ideas.”

  “Which big idea are we lamenting now?”

  “The grief group.”

  “I thought you were excited about that.”

  “I’m as excited as it’s possible to be about grief, but it’s going to keep me at work late tonight, which means no time with the kids. I hate that.”

  “You’ve become such a mommy.”

  “Sometimes, I think I suck at it. I’m gone more than I’m home.”

  “You don’t suck at it. You love them, and they know that.”

  “Still, I feel like they deserve better than what they get from me most days.”

  “Sam, come on. You have the kind of job that takes a ton of mental energy and time. They know that. They don’t want anything more than your love, which is so much more than what many kids have. It’s the most important thing you can give them.”

  “More important than my time?”

  “They have what they need—a safe, loving home, and they’re surrounded by people who’d do anything for them. They’re lucky kids, and they know it.”

  “Scotty does. The twins had it better with their parents than they’ll ever have it with us.”

  “Well, of course they did. They were their parents. They’ll always be the A team. But you guys make for a damned good B team, if you ask me.”

  “That’s nice of you to say. Thanks. I have a lot of insecurities where they’re concerned. Their mother was incredible. She was the craft mom, the baking mom, the playdate mom, the room mom. And then there’s me.”

  “You love them. That’s all they need.”

  “I hope so.”

  “So what’s our plan?”

  Sam thought about that for a minute. “I want you to go find Mark Townsend’s wife and interview her. I’ll jump on the Metro back to HQ to do the interviews with Ken McLeod and Realtor Barbie.”

  “Ohh, Mom’s letting me take the car.”

  “Don’t let anything happen to it.”

  Rolling his eyes, he took the keys from her and got into the driver’s seat. “You know it’s going to be, like, thirty minutes on the train, right?”

  “I’m aware of that, but thanks for letting me know.”

  “You could go with the Secret Service.”

  Sam had almost forgotten about her detail. “Ugh, no way. I’m not giving them the satisfaction.”

  “You realize there’ll be actual people on the train, right?”

  He was so fresh, but also so funny. “Yes, I’ve heard that others often use the Metro. But again, thanks for checking.”

  “And you understand that those people will be staring at you and wondering what the hell the second lady is doing on public transportation, correct?”

  “For fuck’s sake, Freddie. Shut up!”

  He cracked up laughing. “Oh, to be a fly on that wall. Take the Red Line to Gallery Place and then the Yellow Line one stop to National Archives.”

  “How do you know this by heart?”

  “Um, because I grew up here and have been riding the Metro my whole life?”

  “I grew up here too, but I don’t know the Metro map by heart.”

  “There’s so much I could say to that, but I’ll refrain out of respect for my superior officer.”

  “Good call, grasshopper.”

  “When do I get to graduate from grasshopper to murder hornet or something cool?”

  “You’re not there yet. You might be approaching mosquito status in the near future.” Sam had to bite her lip to keep from laughing at her own joke. That was a good one, if she did say so herself.

  “I can hear you trying not to laugh,” he said.

  Sam hated when people knew her so well that she couldn’t get away with anything. “You gotta admit… It was a good joke.”

  “No, it wasn’t.”

  “Yes, it was.”

  They bickered all the way to the Rockville station, where he pulled into the Kiss & Ride lot.

  “Get out,” he said.

  She glared at him. “Watch your mouth, Detective Mosquito. You know what we’re after with Townsend’s wife, right?”

  “Duh, yes, I think I can handle it.”

  “Bring me back a thread to pull, and I’ll consider making you a yellow jacket.”

  He snorted. “Gee, thanks.”

  “I think yellow would look good on you, grasshopper. Don’t get shot or anything when you’re without supervision.”

  “I’ll try my best not to.”

  Sam felt reluctant to leave him for some reason, which she immediately shrugged off as silly. He was a well-trained police officer, thanks in large part to her. He’d be fine. He’d better be, she thought as he drove off, and she headed inside to hitch a ride downtown on the Metro.

  Chapter Twenty

  She drove him to drink, but he loved her anyway, Freddie thought as he dodged through traffic on his way to Mark Townsend’s home in Potomac, another of those communities that had sparked envy in him as a child. Since it would take him about twenty minutes to get there, he put through a call to his wife.

  Weeks after tying the knot, he still loved to refer to the exquisite Elin Cruz as his wife. Having a wife was the best thing ever.

  “Hey,” she said when she picked up, sounding breathless.

  Her breathlessness reminded him of things he
had no business thinking of in the middle of a workday.

  “Freddie? Are you there?”

  “I’m here, babe. What’s up?”

  “Just working out. You?”

  Picturing her sweaty and disheveled after a workout was another thought he shouldn’t be having while at work. “On my way to Potomac in Sam’s car, so I figured I’d say hi while I’m driving.”

  “Where’s Sam?”

  “She took the Metro back to HQ.”

  “She did? What’s up with that?”

  “Desperate times. We’ve been pounding a lot of pavement out in the sticks, and neither of us wanted to waste the time driving back out here. One of us had to get back to HQ, so we did a divide and conquer.”

  “I can’t picture her on the Metro.”

  Freddie laughed. “Me either. I had to remind her that there’d be other people there and she needed to be nice.”

  “She’ll hate that.”

  “Yep. I’m sure there’ll be some good stories about her ride on the Red Line.”

  “No doubt. Any luck figuring out who killed the woman who stole from her friends?”

  “Not yet, but she gets more reprehensible with every new person we talk to.”

  “I just can’t figure out what her plan was once everyone figured out they’d been scammed.”

  “Who knows? Maybe she intended to be long gone by then, but it didn’t work out.”

  “Maybe so. How would she be able to show her face in her life after conning everyone she knew?”

  “She wouldn’t. Sam is talking to the husband again when she gets back to HQ. Maybe he can shed some light.”

  “I’d be interested to know that. I mean, anyone who steals from the people closest to them can’t be planning to stick around afterward. I wouldn’t. I’d be heading somewhere warm and tropical.”

  “That’s good to know. I’d want to be able to find you.”

  “Duh, I’d take you with me.”

  Freddie laughed. “Well, that’s a relief, but please don’t swindle our family and friends. I kinda like my life just the way it is.”

  “Me too. People at the gym are talking about Nick deciding not to run.”

  “What’re they saying?”

  “Most of them are super disappointed. They had their hearts set on a Cappuano administration.”

  “I had my heart set on it too.”

  “I know. Oh well. I give him credit for having his priorities straight. So many people would put their own ambition ahead of everything, even their own family.”

  “Not Nick. He’s waited forever to have what he has now with Sam and the kids.”

  “I admire him for many reasons. This is just another one.”

  “Do I need to be concerned about you admiring the VP?”

  “Who’s the husband of your partner? I don’t think so.”

  Her dry, sarcastic tone always amused him. “Good to know.”

  “You aren’t still worried about silly things, are you, Detective Cruz?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Because it would indeed be silly for you to worry about me wanting anyone but you.”

  “Duly noted.”

  “In fact, I’d be happy to give you a reminder of who I really want when you get home.”

  “Gulp.”

  She lost it laughing. “I thought you might like that.”

  “I always like that.”

  “You don’t know any better.” She loved reminding him that she’d been his first and only, not that he ever needed to be reminded. She’d been well worth the wait.

  “There’s nothing better than you, baby.”

  “You going to be late tonight?”

  “Not if I can help it. I may cut out a little early because my wife is feeling generous.”

  “Ha-ha, your wife is always feeling generous.”

  “Thank goodness for that. I’ll text you when I’m on the way.”

  “I’ll be here. I’m cooking something new tonight. It’s going to take half the day.”

  “I can’t wait for any of it.”

  “Be careful, Freddie. I love you.”

  “Love you too. See you soon.”

  He ended the call and pushed down on the accelerator, eager to get the interview with Townsend’s wife taken care of so he could go home early. Sam wouldn’t care. They worked hideously long hours and rarely took time for themselves.

  Rolling into Potomac a short time later, he drove past stately homes that had him wondering what secrets they hid. Growing up with only his mom’s income, they’d been short on money most of the time. He’d always assumed people who had it were immune from the problems less fortunate people faced. And while they might not have to worry about a roof over their heads or where their next meal was coming from, he’d learned that no one was immune to gut-wrenching challenges, even those who seemed to have it all.

  Townsend lived in a big Tudor-style home on yet another tree-lined street with kids riding bikes on sidewalks and luxury vehicles everywhere he looked. He pulled into the driveway and parked behind a navy-blue Lexus SUV. His phone chimed with a text from Sam.

  Send me the address so I know where you are.

  Are you checking up on me?

  No, I’m learning from my mistakes.

  He knew she meant the time she’d gone to a home without telling anyone where she was and walked into a nightmare at the hands of their former lieutenant. Freddie sent her the address. Another gilded mansion.

  With flawed people living inside with real problems.

  How’s the Metro?

  It’s great! I love it. Made a few new friends.

  Freddie laughed out loud. You’re such a liar.

  Go get me a thread and hurry up about it.

  I’m trying, but my boss is bugging me.

  Get on it! NOW!

  PITA.

  Mosquito. Buzzzzzzzz. Become a yellow jacket. Get me something.

  I’m going. Buzz off.

  Freddie never got the last word with her, so he jammed his phone into his back pocket so he could live off that high for the short time it would last. He went up the stairs and rang the doorbell, which chimed like an air raid siren through the house. That’s how Sam would describe it, anyway, and whether he wanted to admit it or not, her voice was always in his head.

  She’d love to know that, which was why he could never tell her.

  He rang the bell again and added some raps of the massive door knocker.

  The door flew open, and a woman grabbed his arm, dragged him inside and shut the door so fast, he never saw it coming. A loud click had him staring at her in shock as she pointed a gun at him. He held up his hands.

  “What the fuck do you want?” she asked as she twisted and turned a convoluted set of locks.

  “I’m a cop. Let me show you my badge.”

  “Move slowly.”

  He did as she told him, moving very deliberately to get the badge out of his pocket.

  “Give me your gun.”

  “That’s not happening.”

  She aimed her weapon at his heart. “Yes, it is, or I’ll end you right here.”

  As Freddie contemplated the shit storm he’d been pulled into, he tried to figure out what Sam would do. She’d draw her weapon and take her chances with getting shot herself, so that’s what he ought to do too. Except he’d been shot once before, and it had totally sucked. He had no desire to go there again, especially with his beautiful wife waiting for him at home.

  So he withdrew his weapon from the hip holster and handed it to her, butt first, hoping he wouldn’t live to regret not shooting her when he’d had the chance.

  Sam had forgotten how much she hated public transportation, especially since everyone stared at her the whole time they were on the train. New people came on. More staring. She was probably trending on Twitter.

  Her phone dinged with a text from Nick.

  What’re you doing on the Metro?

  Sam laughed. Yep, she was tre
nding all right, or her detail had ratted her out. She’d forgotten about them. I like to keep things interesting.

  Seriously, Samantha. What are you doing there?

  She loved when he called her Samantha. He was the only one in the world who did. I gave Freddie my car so he could finish up in Montgomery County while I go back to HQ to interview two people who’ve been in lockup since last night and are screaming about their rights.

  Why didn’t you let the detail take you!??

  What detail?

  Not funny, Samantha. I don’t like you on public transport without backup.

  I’m fine. Don’t worry.

  Right. Don’t worry. Should I not breathe too?

  Please keep breathing. I need you alive and well.

  Same, which is why I’d rather you not be in crowded places by yourself.

  Still totally fine. I assume my agents are around here somewhere.

  You don’t know for sure!?!

  I forgot about them.

  Honestly, Samantha. And you wonder why I don’t sleep at night.

  She glanced up from her phone to check which stop they were at. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a young man approaching a woman who was standing, her hand wrapped around a metal bar for balance on the moving train.

  The guy said something to her, which had her recoiling. “Get away from me.”

  “Make me.”

  For fuck’s sake. Sam sighed as she stashed her phone in her pocket and stood to get involved. Approaching the twosome, she pulled out her badge and held it up for the young man to see. “A word to the wise: You never know who’s watching you be a douche. Move along,” she said to the shocked man, who clearly knew he knew her from somewhere even if he wasn’t sure where. “Now.”

  He glared at her before moving to the other end of the car and taking a seat, but Sam felt his gaze fixed on her as she checked to see if the woman was all right.

  “I’m fine, but thank you for intervening.”

  “He didn’t actually touch you, did he?”

  “No, but he grossed me out by telling me what he’d like me to do with him.”

  “Where’re you headed?”

  “Gallery Place.”

  “Me too. I’ll get you a ride to wherever you need to go when we get there.”