The irony was breathtaking. David had met his wife at a charity event for seniors, never knowing that she was there to scout for potential fraud victims.
«That’s so romantic,» I said. «And he’s been supportive of your business?»
«David’s wonderful, but he doesn’t really understand finance. He prefers to focus on his engineering work and let me handle our investment planning.» Jessica’s tone shifted slightly. «Sometimes I think it’s better when spouses don’t get too involved in each other’s professional details. It can complicate the relationship.»
«Has David invested with you directly? Small amounts? His 401k rollover? Some savings bonds?»
«Nothing major yet. But as the business grows…» She trailed off, realizing she might be saying too much.
«You’re planning to invest more of David’s money?»
«Only as opportunities arise that would benefit our family’s long-term financial goals.»
I had to bite my tongue to keep from asking if those goals included federal prison sentences.
«Jessica, these forms you want me to sign, they look quite comprehensive. Should I have my attorney review them first?»
For the first time since we’d started talking, Jessica looked genuinely concerned. «Margaret, attorneys often don’t understand complex investment vehicles. They tend to be overly cautious and can cause you to miss time-sensitive opportunities.»
«But surely for this amount of money…»
«What I can do,» Jessica interrupted, «is offer you a smaller trial investment. Say, $50,000 to start. You can see the returns for yourself, and then we can discuss larger amounts once you’re comfortable with the process.»
$50,000. Pocket change compared to what she thought I had, but still enough to ruin most people’s retirement plans.
«That sounds more reasonable,» I said. «But I still don’t understand why this has to be done today.»
«Because the quarter closes tomorrow, and my offshore partners won’t accept new investments until January. Margaret, if you wait, you’ll miss six months of potential gains.»
My phone buzzed with a text. Without looking at it directly, I could see it was from Detective Martinez. We have enough. Get out safely.
«You know what, Jessica? This all sounds wonderful, but I think I do want to discuss it with David first. As my only family, I feel like he should know about major financial decisions.»
Jessica’s expression hardened. «Margaret, I thought we agreed that David doesn’t need to be involved in every detail of your financial planning.»
«I’ve changed my mind. David is a smart man, and if this investment is as good as you say it is, he’ll want to participate too.»
«Actually, that might not be possible.» Jessica’s voice had taken on a cold edge that I hadn’t heard before. «These programs have very specific investor profiles, and David might not qualify.»
«Why wouldn’t he qualify?»
«Age restrictions, minimum asset requirements, various technical factors.» Jessica was clearly making this up as she went along. «Margaret, I strongly advise you to make this decision independently. Involving David could complicate everything.»
I stood up, gathering my purse. «I appreciate all the time you’ve spent explaining this, Jessica, but I think I need to sleep on it.»
«Margaret, please sit down. We’re not finished here.»
The change in her tone was startling. Gone was the sweet, concerned daughter-in-law. In her place stood someone who sounded desperate and potentially dangerous.
«I really do need to go,» I said, moving toward the door.
«No,» Jessica said firmly. «You don’t understand. We’ve already committed your spot to the offshore partners. If you don’t complete the transaction today, there will be penalties.»
That’s when I knew Detective Martinez had been right about the danger. Jessica wasn’t just going to let me walk away.
«Penalties?» I asked, my hand freezing on the door handle. «What kind of penalties?»
«Commitment fees, administrative costs, lost opportunity expenses.» Jessica was making up terms on the spot, but her voice carried a threatening undertone that made my heart race. «Margaret, these international investment groups don’t take contract breaches lightly.»
«But I haven’t signed any contracts.»
«The moment you agreed to participate, I submitted preliminary paperwork on your behalf. Backing out now could result in legal action.»
I turned back to face her, and for the first time since I’d known Jessica, I was seeing her without the mask. Her perfectly applied makeup couldn’t hide the cold calculation in her eyes, and her designer smile had been replaced by something that looked almost predatory.
«Jessica, I haven’t agreed to anything definitive. I said I’d consider it.»
«No, Margaret, you said, and I quote, ‘I’ll do it.’ I have witnesses to that conversation.»
«What witnesses? We’re alone in this office.»
Jessica pulled out her phone and showed me an active call that had been running for the past 30 minutes. «Marcus has been listening to our entire conversation. He heard your verbal commitment, and he’s already begun processing your investment application.»
My blood ran cold. If Marcus had been listening, he’d also heard me asking detailed questions about their operation, gathering information about their other victims, and trying to get Jessica to incriminate herself. They knew I was investigating them.
«I want to speak to Marcus,» I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
«Unfortunately, he’s in a meeting with other investors, but he asked me to make sure we complete your paperwork today before there are any misunderstandings.»
Jessica moved between me and the door, and I realized I was essentially trapped in a small office with someone who’d just revealed herself to be far more dangerous than I’d anticipated.
«Jessica, I’m going to leave now. We can discuss this later with David present.»
«I’m afraid that’s not possible.» She pulled out a contract that was much more detailed than the forms she’d shown me earlier. «This is a binding investment agreement. You need to sign it today.»
I glanced at the document and felt my blood pressure spike. It wasn’t just an investment contract. It was a comprehensive financial power of attorney that would give Jessica control over all my assets.
«This gives you complete access to my accounts,» I said.
«Only temporarily, while we optimize your investment portfolio. It’s standard procedure for international transactions.»
Nothing about this was standard, and we both knew it. Jessica was essentially demanding that I sign over my entire life savings to her right now, with threats of legal consequences if I refused.
«And if I don’t sign?»
«Margaret, let’s not make this more difficult than it needs to be. You came here today because you trust me, because you want to secure your financial future. Don’t let fear of success sabotage this opportunity.»
She was still trying to maintain the pretense that this was a legitimate investment discussion, but her body language told a different story. She was positioned between me and the only exit. Her phone was still connected to Marcus, and she’d made it clear that leaving wasn’t an option.
That’s when I heard the most beautiful sound in the world—Rick’s voice in the hallway, loud enough to be clearly audible through the thin office walls.
«Excuse me, I’m looking for suite 247. I’m here to meet with Cole and Miller Financial Consulting.»
Jessica’s face went pale. «Who is that?»
«I have no idea,» I said innocently, though my heart was pounding with relief. Rick and Detective Martinez were executing their backup plan.
«Margaret, you need to sign this document right now.» Jessica thrust the contract toward me, her composure finally cracking completely.
«Or what?» I asked, feeling braver now that I knew help was just outside.
«Or Marcus will be very disappointed. And Marcus doesn’t like to be disappointed.»
The threat was unmistakable now. Jessica had dropped all pretense of being a legitimate investment advisor and was essentially demanding my money, metaphorically speaking—though I was beginning to wonder about the «literally speaking» part.
That’s when Detective Martinez’s voice joined Rick’s in the hallway. «Dallas police, we’re looking for suite 247.»
Jessica spun toward the door, panic flooding her features. «You set me up.»
«No, Jessica. You set yourself up the moment you decided to steal from elderly people and use my son as cover for your crimes.»
