She pressed her finger to the picture. “That’s the same necklace he gave me.” Her mouth shaped a perfect O. “That can’t be a coincidence. I still have it in my things. I had it in my bag when I came back from vacation.” She shuffled through the pictures again. “Those shoes. I hated them. They are like woven leather loafers, and they squeaked when he walked. It’s him. I know it is.”
The sheriff gave an approving nod.
“Excellent,” Randy said. “There’s more.”
He went through the details of the corporation Swindell had used as a cover, and the supposed charity Natalie had been funneling her money into, which they’d been able to trace to the mortgage payments on the huge beach house on the Outer Banks where he resided with his wife.
“He’s married?”
Randy nodded.
“Insult to injury.” She pressed her hands together. “How?” She shook her head. “Never mind. It doesn’t even matter.”
“It’s how he makes his living. You’re one of at least three others we know of so far. Two in North Carolina and one in Texas.”
“He must’ve been going to see her when I met him on the flight to Texas.”
“I don’t have all those details yet, but I think we’ll see many things begin to fall into place quickly now.”
She sat there nodding.
“Are you okay?” He placed his hand on her arm.
“Yes.” Her voice was quiet. “Thank you. I don’t mean to not sound elated. I am. It’s just a little… overwhelming.”
“I’m sure it is.” Randy sat back in the chair. “You did good.”
“You did,” the sheriff said. “We’ll need you to write a statement and a few signatures. This will surely help in that North Carolina case, and then we’ll wallop yours right on top of that one. He might just go away for a long time.”
“I hope so,” she said.
“And thank you, Sheriff, for helping,” Randy said.
“You’re one of us now. We take care of our own around here, and you helping this little lady makes you extended family,” Sheriff Brothers said. “If you’re ever looking for a new job, Fellowes, talk to me. I’m retiring as soon as I find a sucker… a candidate… who will toss his hat in the ring.”
Randy laughed.
“Wasn’t kidding.” Sheriff Brothers stood and walked out of the room.
“I’ve got to relay this information to my boss and the guys in North Carolina. They are arresting him this evening.”
“What’s his real name?” she asked.
“The one he’s living with his wife under is Clayton Bellamy.”
“I don’t know why I wanted to know. It’s not like it matters. One lie just leads to another.”
“That’s how they operate. I’m going to take you back home. I’ve got a ton of paperwork to do, and I need to do my part to be sure all this happens and sticks.”
She placed her hand on his arm. “Randy, thank you. I know this is your job, but you’ve done so much. I’m so grateful.”
Gratitude wasn’t what he wanted. He wanted more. “Come on, let’s get you out of here before the locals start making up stories about you being arrested,” Randy said.
“You think you’re joking. These people know everything,” Natalie said as they walked out of the room.
“And that’s what makes my job so easy,” the sheriff said. “Nothing goes unnoticed around here.”
On the way back, Natalie asked, “Would you mind if we stopped in for just a moment at Orene’s? I want to invite her to the cabin to visit and meet the puppy. I think she’d love that.”
