Page 20 of Never and Always
“What am I going to do?” All she could think of was Glenn and herparents.
Nick gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze, then released her so that he could sitforward.
“When did they get released?” he askedSawyer.
“On Monday, so well before the moneywent.”
Mia closed her eyes, shutting them tight. Alan had only been in her home Saturday making her dinner and acting like he cared for her. That was all part of his plan to get into her bedroom. What a damnmess.
“What can we do now?” Nick asked, breaking into herthoughts.
“We can track the paintings because they fall under our jurisdiction. Hopefully try to intercept any sales. The money is a different story. We’ll do our best to liaise with the police in Florida on that, but this could all become a federalmatter.”
“Federal?” she asked in a weakvoice.
“FBI, sweetheart. We’re talking about millions here and priceless paintings. And he’s working across states. There’s only so much we’re allowed to do. If he leaves Illinois they’ll have to becontacted.”
“Am I okay to work with you on this?” Nick asked. She could see that he’d noticed her further distress. “I’ll need access to yoursystems.”
“Of course, bro.” Sawyersmiled.
“Thank you. Both of you,” she told them. The tears still came, but she wanted to show her gratitude. “I know it looks bad, but how long could something like this take?” sheasked.
“I won’t lie to you, or give you false hope, but this could take a while, especially since we’re dealing with a real con artist,” Sawyer answered and ran a quick hand through his short blackhair.
“Alright, keep me posted. At least now we know what we’re up against. I’ll come back here in an hour or so and do my thing,” Nick said standing up, ready togo.
She joinedhim.
“See you later,” Sawyer said toNick.
Mia followed Nick outside, back to his car in the parking lot. He didn’t say anything to her and there was a tenseness about him that told her he was put out by thesituation.
“Nick.” She stopped just before they got to his RangeRover.
He turned to face her with an irked expression. “What is itMia?”
“What’s going tohappen?”
“Mia, I don’t want to rip into you the way Glenn did. But damn, didn’t you do a little research first before you got involved with thatguy?”
She couldn’t answer, because she didn’t do much. She’d put out a job posting for an accountant and Alan responded. His references checked out, but then they were just from previous employers, which could have been fake, or set up to set her up. She didn’t bother with a criminal record check because the references were glowing. He seemedperfect.
“I wish that I could have done things differently. I trustedhim.”
“Mia, babe. I know you think that’s an excuse but it isn’t.” He shook his head and walked away to get in thecar.
With reluctance she followed, feeling numb because it now felt like she was aloneagain.
* * *
Claire cameto see her later thatevening.
She brought tubs of chocolate and coconut ice cream, Mia’s favorite. It was comfort food that could cheer them both up in their younger days. They’d been friends sincebirth.
Claire came to see her in Florida at the start of the year and actually met Alan. She hadn’t liked him and thought Mia could have at least gotten someone better looking. At the time, Mia thought the comment was cruel, but wished she could have been shallow enough to break up with him based on his looks. He was tall and lanky and had what she called average looks. He definitely didn’t have the gorgeousness of Nick, but then few people she knew had. If she’d been shallow she wouldn’t have been in the mad situation she was innow.
Claire tucked a wayward strand of her long black hair behind her ear. Mia noticed how well put together her friend looked the minute she walked in earlier. Her hair was silky smooth and smelled like she’d just been to the salon, her nails were perfectly manicured with a glossy pink color on them, and her eyebrows had been shaped to a perfect arc. It was all what Mia classed as simple things but knew that, while she could do a lot of those basic treatments on herself, it would be a while before she could afford to buy what she needed to doso.
