Natalie had her eyes squeezed shut, her hands at her mouth. She looked small and fragile in the hospital bed.
“I didn’t mean to upset you,” he said. “I really am on your side here.”
She shook her head, and Sheila leaned in.
The nurse gave her some water. “Ms. Maynard. It’s me. Nurse Cathy. I’m right here. Calm down for me, okay?”
The nurse stared him down, one brow arched. “Detective. Maybe you can come back tomorrow.”
He walked out into the hallway. Natalie Maynard was still crying. A real boo-hoo session. Not the fake tears some people tried to fool him with. She believed every line that guy had fed her. Sadly, from where he sat it was pretty easy to see the gaps.
The worst part was if she didn’t go public, they’d probably never find that con. He’d change his name and do it again and again.
The nurse walked out and gave him a look. “Tomorrow, sir.”
“I know. I’m leaving. I just wanted to ask if she’d be here overnight.”
“The doctor requested a room, but if they don’t find one for her soon, I think he’ll probably release her as long as the rest of the tests come back fine.”
He handed her his card. “Can you give this to Ms. Maynard for me before she leaves?”
“Of course.” The nurse took the card, pursing her lips. “Do you think that man really conned her out of house and home?”
“You were listening?”
“I was keeping an eye on my patient.” She put the card in her pocket. “Fine. I was listening. She didn’t look the type todo something wrong. I was curious, and they had her down for a psych watch.”
“Well, then you know what happened. I don’t think she’s crazy. She seems to be telling the truth. Too bad too. These cons get away with it over and over, because their victims are too embarrassed to go public.”
“That’s terrible. How could she fall for that?”
He leveled his gaze. “Don’t judge her. Con artists are a breed of their own. Very convincing. They say all the right things. Anyone could’ve fallen for it.”
“He cleared out the whole house?”
Randy nodded.
“And she thought she bought that house, but really he just took her money, didn’t he?”
“Appears that way.” She really had been listening to everything.
The nurse lifted her chin. “I don’t like seeing a woman taken advantage of.”
“Me either.” Randy turned to leave. He hated meeting people in the hospital. The maze of corridors in funky, outdated colors was dizzying. For a place that was supposed to be so sanitary, the smells were so intense it always left him feeling like he needed a shower.
The whole way back to his car, he thought of how Natalie Maynard’s life had been dumped like a kitchen junk drawer. A scattered mess of mismatched parts that didn’t make any sense.
The arrogance of that guy to use an alias like Swindell.
He wondered if that vacation to Cancún had been part of the plan. A finale of sorts. Or maybe a con man can find a smidgen of conscience along the way. At least he left herwith a good memory or two. Even the best thief couldn’t steal those.
Untangling this web of deception would be tricky. Like a puzzle with no corners and nothing but raindrops, it would take work—but then, he loved puzzles.
Chapter Five
NATALIE CLUTCHEDthe hospital sheet in her hands. “This is a nightmare. What do you think happened?” She pulled her knees up. “Is it possible Marc is responsible for all of this?”
“That he conned you?” Sheila walked over and sat in the chair where the detective had been seated. “I guess anything is possible. I’d have once said Dan would never cheat on me. And you know how that all ended.”
