CHAPTER ELEVEN

"Ms. Thompson, we're terribly sorry that you had this issue. I understand that the credit card company is filing the fraud charges for you." Bull looked at the woman seated across from him, and she nodded.

"I can't believe I was so stupid. I completely ignored the alarms going off in my head. He seemed so sincere, so genuine. I fell for the whole damn thing. Everything in my body said don't give this man money, and look where it got me."

"Ma'am, these people are good at what they do. We have someone else that we're trying to help who went through the same thing. I understand that you met this Landon on a dating app. Is that right?"

"Yes. Hearts Forever."

"That's the same site that Shelby was on," said Angel. "How did you hear about this site, Ms. Thompson?"

"Please, just call me Caroline. I was out with some friends one night, and a group of girls at another table were talking about it. One of them was about to get married and said she'd met the man of her dreams on the site. I just scoffed and blew it off, but she said it was legit.

"I've tried dating sites before, and to be honest, they're just kind of creepy. But I've been alone a long time, and I just thought I'd give it a try. Landon was the first man I'd met in person. He was so charming and handsome, very good-looking. I couldn't figure out why he wanted to speak to me. Then I thought his pics were fakes. A lot of people do that on those sites."

"Yes, we've heard," nodded Bull.

"Anyway, I asked to do a video call, and he agreed. I was shocked that it was actually him. He was smart and funny, as I said, very charming. He wanted to meet right away, but I wanted to have a few more conversations. We talked every day for two weeks," she said, shaking her head. "Who speaks to someone every day for two weeks in the hopes of scamming them? How could I not have seen this?"

"What happened?" asked Angel.

"He said his car wasn't working, and he only needed four hundred dollars to get it going. I was reluctant at first, but then, I don't know. I just gave in. I mean, four hundred wasn't going to kill me. He didn't pressure me. He just said he hoped we could continue to see one another, and without a car that would be hard for him. I used the CashFlow app, the one that allows you to send money instantly to friends or relatives." Both men just nodded.

"Anyway, we went back to his apartment and had a beautiful evening together. The next morning, he brought me coffee and said he was going to get the car fixed. It was hours later, and the shop called saying that he'd left the car there, but they needed a credit card to authorize charges for the additional things wrong with the car."

"What was the name of the shop?" asked Bull.

"I didn't even ask," she said, shaking her head. "How pathetic and stupid am I?"

"Not at all," said Angel. "These people know what they're doing, and they know how to manipulate others. Did he ever come back to the apartment?"

"No. This man opened the door and said he was the apartment manager. He was there to clean out what little was left behind by the previous tenant. That's when I told him to call the police. Somehow, they transferred every available dime of cash on my card. It was transferred to a CashFlow account, which, of course, is now closed. I reported it to CashFlow as well as my credit card company and bank."

"Of course," frowned Bull. "Listen, Caroline, we're investigating this for another woman, and we're going to stop these people. If there's anything else you can remember about him, anything at all. Tattoos? His hairstyle? Clothing? Anything, please let us know."

"I don't remember seeing any tattoos, but he turned the lights out when we went to bed." She stopped and turned her head. "Sorry. The thought of that makes me want to barf. He had dark hair, light eyes, green or hazel. He was probably six-one, maybe six-two. Lean and muscular, but not nearly as big as any of you. He had a Midwestern accent. Definitely not from the south."

"Anything else?" asked Bull. She shook her head. "Let us know if you think of anything."

I will," she nodded. "I just feel so stupid. So foolish and stupid. The officer who came to take my statement is the one who gave me your number. I hope you don't mind that I called."

"Not at all. That's why we're here. Are you in a safe building?"

"Oh, yes. My apartment building has a doorman and several locks on the doors. I also have a good alarm system, so I feel completely safe. I also have a two-hundred-pound Great Dane," she smiled. "I almost hope the bastard tries to get into my house."

Both men chuckled, nodding their approval at her anger and desire for vengeance. They secretly hoped he tried it too. That Great Dane would get a piece of his ass.

"We'll be in touch if we find anything."

"I hope you do. I hope you find something, and I really hope you find him. When you do, I want you to beat the life out of him, then cut off his penis and balls and staple them to a telephone pole. Just because." Angel smirked at the woman, nodding.

"Noted."