There’s a brief silence while Beck connects the dots. And then, “Holy shit! Really? That’s fantastic.”
“Is it, though? I might be sick.”
“Aw, big man. Breathe, honey. Right now.”
I exhale slowly.
“There you go. This is good news. They’re going to nail his ass now. He isn’t going to win. He never was.”
“Okay, okay. You’re right.” And it’s so good to hear your voice. Like medicine.
“So now you know his name?”
“Not yet. I’d better go and finish this conversation.”
“Call me after. No matter what time.”
“But you have?—”
“Call me anyway. This is an emergency.”
I close my eyes. “I love you. For real.” The words roll off my tongue.
“I know,” he says easily. “Talk soon.”
We hang up and I turn back to the FBI agent, who’s waiting patiently. I jab a finger into the perpetrator’s face. “Okay, who is this asshole the cops told me they couldn’t find?”
“Maybe they couldn’t find him, but I did. The problem is that he gets around a lot. His MO never changes, though. I read your file, and it’s the same story in every state—dating apps, drugs, and financial theft. His victims are always men. Usually near army bases. He’s been at this for three or four years.”
My chest tightens painfully. “Fuck. How many victims?”
“Six so far. You want to know how he finally got caught?”
“Of course I do.”
“Bragging.” Agent Callahan shakes his head in disgust. “Guy got wasted and told his best friend how he made a hundred grand last year, tax free.”
“What’s his real name?”
“Roger Antonio Porras.”
“Roger. My life was turned upside down by a Roger?”
He gives me a stoic nod. “He’s already in custody. But I’m going to need you to give me a formal statement that says you recognize the man in that particular photo.”
My stomach twists. “Happy to do that. Is there any chance I’ll recover some money?”
“Maybe?” He winces. “Hard to say, and it wouldn’t happen fast. This is a federal case.”
“Okay. I understand.” Even though I’ve been stressing about my finances for over a year, the money suddenly matters less to me than it did ten minutes ago. I want him locked up more than I want my money back. “I’ll testify, if it comes to that.”
“Glad to hear that, Mr. Forrester. Some people aren’t that eager to do so.”
“I’m not embarrassed,” I say, and suddenly, I realize that’s completely true. “He’s the one who should be.”
“Agreed.” He gives me a quick smile.
“How’d you find me?” I ask. “I didn’t think the cops gave a shit about me.”
