«Mr. Thorne,» she said, finally closing the folder, «this is impressive work. Immigration fraud cases usually take months to develop this kind of comprehensive evidence.»

«Maria Santos is thorough,» I replied. «Always was.»

«The question now is how we proceed.»

Walsh leaned back in her chair. «We have enough to arrest Xu Min on identity theft and immigration fraud charges, but I’d prefer to build a stronger case.»

«These organized operations usually involve multiple victims.»

«What do you need?»

«Ideally, we’d like her to incriminate herself further, maybe reveal information about how she obtained the false documents, whether she’s working with others.» Walsh studied me carefully.

«You mentioned she’s comfortable in your home. Would you be willing to participate in a controlled operation?»

The weight of what she was asking settled over me. «You want me to invite her back for dinner?»

«With full FBI surveillance and support. We’d wire your home, have agents positioned nearby.»

«If she says anything incriminating, we’d have it on record.»

I thought about Benjamin’s face when he’d stormed out of my workshop, the pain in his voice when he’d accused me of prejudice. My son would have to be there.

«He’s completely unaware of what she really is.»

«That might work in our favor. If she believes you’ve accepted her, she may be more careless about what she says.»

Walsh’s expression softened slightly. «I understand this puts you in a difficult position with your family.»

«Agent Walsh, my son is planning to marry a woman who’s already married to someone else. She’s using him to commit federal crimes. Any difficulty with family is secondary to protecting him.»

She nodded approvingly. «How would you approach this?»

I’d been thinking about that since leaving the parking garage Friday morning. «I’ll tell Benjamin I’ve reconsidered, that maybe I was too hasty in my judgment. He’s been wanting us to have dinner again.»

«He’ll jump at the chance to arrange it. And Grace… she’ll come. She thinks she’s won, that she successfully turned my son against me.»

«She won’t be able to resist the opportunity to solidify her victory.»

Agent Walsh opened a legal pad and began taking notes. «We’ll need at least 48 hours to set up surveillance equipment. Can you arrange the dinner for Friday evening?»

«I’ll call Benjamin today.»

«Mr. Thorne, I need you to understand what you’re agreeing to. Once we activate this operation, there’s no going back.»

«If Schumann incriminates herself, we’ll arrest her that night. Your son will witness his fiancé being taken into federal custody.»

The image hit me like a physical blow, but I kept my voice steady. «Better he sees the truth now than discovers it after they’re married.»

Two hours later, I was back in my workshop, staring at Benjamin’s number on my phone. The conversation would require every ounce of acting ability I possessed.

He answered on the second ring. «Dad?»

«Benjamin, I owe you an apology.» The words came easier than I’d expected. «I’ve been thinking about our conversation, and you’re right.»

«I didn’t give Grace a fair chance.»

The silence stretched so long, I thought the call had dropped.

«Dad, are you serious?»

«I’d like to invite her and her parents back for dinner. Friday night, if they’re available. I want to start over. I…»

«Wow. Yes, absolutely. Grace will be thrilled. She’s been worried that you don’t like her.»

«Tell her I’m looking forward to getting to know her better.»

After Benjamin hung up, I sat in the gathering dusk of my workshop, surrounded by the familiar smell of electronics and motor oil. In three days, I would sit across from Grace Jung, or Schumann, or whoever she really was, and watch federal agents destroy the elaborate lie she’d built around my son’s heart.

As I set the table for Friday’s dinner, I wondered if Grace suspected anything. Friday evening arrived with the crisp clarity of an October night. Grace and her parents appeared at my door at exactly 6:30, punctual as always.

She carried a bouquet of white roses, Thomas wore a fresh-pressed suit, and Elizabeth had brought homemade cookies in a decorative tin. «Mr. Thorne, thank you so much for this second chance,» Grace said, her smile radiant with what looked like genuine warmth.

«I know Benjamin means the world to you.»

«Please come in,» I replied, accepting the flowers. The wire taped to my chest felt heavy beneath my shirt, but my voice remained steady. «I’m looking forward to getting to know you better.»

Benjamin practically glowed as he helped them with their coats. The relief on his face was almost unbearable. My son truly believed we were healing our family rift.

Dinner progressed smoothly. I’d prepared the same menu as our first meeting: pot roast, mashed potatoes, green beans.

Grace complimented every dish, asked thoughtful questions about my electronic shop, and shared charming stories about her piano students. Her performance was flawless. «This is exactly how I imagined family dinners would be,» she said, squeezing Benjamin’s hand.

«You’re so lucky to have such a thoughtful father.»

But I caught the subtle probing beneath her words. «You seem much more relaxed tonight, Mr. Thorne.»

«I was worried after our first meeting that I’d somehow offended you.»

«Not at all,» I assured her. «Sometimes first impressions can be misleading.»

As we moved to dessert, apple pie again, I felt the familiar weight of approaching action. Agent Walsh would be positioned outside, waiting for my signal. «Grace,» I said, setting down my coffee cup.

«I’ve been thinking about our first dinner together.»

She tilted her head, suddenly cautious. «Oh? I hope it was pleasant for you.»

I switched to Mandarin without warning. «Did you really think I couldn’t understand?»

The change in Grace was instantaneous. Her face drained of color. Her hand froze halfway to her mouth. «I… What did you just say?»

«You called me an old pig. Said I was stupid and an easy target.»

Benjamin’s fork clattered against his plate. «Dad, wait. You speak Mandarin? How do you know what she said?»

«That’s because Grace isn’t her real name.» I kept my voice level, professional. «Her real name is Shumin.»

«Benjamin, he’s lying!» Grace’s composure cracked, desperation bleeding through. «Don’t listen to him!»

«She’s already married,» I continued. «Has been for three years. To a man named Liu Wei in Guangzhou.»

Thomas shot to his feet, his chair scraping loudly. «This is insane! We’re leaving right now!»

«Sit down, Mr. Thompson,» I said calmly. «Arlington Community Theater. Right? $500 each to play ‘Loving Parents’.»

Benjamin’s voice came out broken. «Dad… you speak Chinese? When did you… Why didn’t you ever tell me?»

«Military intelligence, son. I learned it thirty years ago.» I watched his world crumble in real time. «I’ve been investigating your fiancé for two weeks.»

Grace grabbed Benjamin’s arm frantically. «Please, he’s trying to destroy us because he’s jealous! He can’t stand that you love someone more than him!»

The doorbell rang at exactly 8 p.m. Agent Walsh entered with two backup agents, their badges clearly visible. The professionalism of their entrance was both reassuring and terrifying.

«Ms. Xu Min,» Agent Walsh said, her voice carrying absolute authority, «you’re under federal investigation for immigration fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy.»

Grace’s scream pierced the air. «This is entrapment! You set me up!»

«Yes,» I said quietly. «I did.»

Elizabeth collapsed into her chair, tears streaming. «We’re just actors.»

«She paid us $500 each. We didn’t know it was illegal!»

Grace whirled on me, her mask finally falling away completely. «You think you’ve won, old man?»

«I think I’ve protected my son.»

Benjamin sat in stunned silence, then whispered, «Grace, was any of it real?»

She tried to run, bolting toward the kitchen door, but Agent Walsh’s backup was waiting. The handcuffs clicked with mechanical precision as they read her rights.