After considering all the pros and cons, I finally did accept the job as Executive Director of CRS. Nate saw to it my title was better than Julia’s, and he was right about the amount of the reward. Mine was just over $1,000,000 and I used part of it as a down payment on a great place in Georgetown. The rest went into investments.
One of my first decisions was to bring the whole sales staff together to celebrate the new CRS. Sort of a rebirth. Nate suggested using Julia’s former mansion since that was where they learned they were being cheated, and that’s exactly what we did before escrow closed. I can’t tell you how good it felt to pay all of those hard-working women the money they had earned. Kate and Cami came, too, although they were both busy setting up their new businesses.
It wasn’t a lavish affair like the one Julia threw, but more in keeping with what a government staff celebration should be. While the festivities were in full swing, Cami tugged at my sleeve. “Excuse yourself for a few minutes. Kate and I are requesting your presence in what was Julia’s study. Don’t ask questions, just come.”
I allowed myself to be led up the stairs. Three glasses sat on Julia’s former desk. When we gathered around, Kate popped the cork on a bottle of Krug 1990 champagne which I happen to know sells for over $200 a bottle. She filled each glass to the brim.
“My treat, Ladies. Now that we’re all millionaires, a toast is in order.”
Cami and I echoed, “To the Fraud Busters.”
Then Cami said, “Kimberly we appoint you toastmaster.”
I made a show of clearing my throat, then recited one of my favorite quotes from the late football coach Paul Bryant. “Winning isn't everything, but it beats anything that comes in second.” We clicked glasses, downed the bubbly and went downstairs to join the others.
• • • • •
Over the next year I settled into life in D.C. as though it was second nature. I wasn’t wrong about the look in Nathan’s eyes. I really love the guy, and I do think I’ve made a good choice this time. They say dreams seldom come true, but my clouds are back to having silver linings. He has been hinting at marriage and the minute he pops the question, I’ll probably break a speed record when I accept.
• • • • •
Julia and Lena received stiff sentences. Word travels fast in our government circles, and from what I’ve heard Julia has put on at least 50 pounds in prison. As for Lena, I hear she’s landed in isolation twice for instigating fights.
Matt’s sentence was lighter than theirs. As it turned out, he wasn’t much more than an idea man receiving the HRF payoffs. Lena and Julia were the ones reaping the big bucks. I’d sort of hoped he wasn’t guilty, but that’s for the movies. He was as guilty as sin.
In case you’re wondering about Bruce, shortly after I got settled in my new job, I heard that his wife divorced him and ran off with her hot, young pool guy. Washington is a gossipy town. With all the attorney power Bruce hired, he received a relatively light sentence, a good part of it suspended. I guess he will have to use his own credit cards for his naughty pleasures in the future, though.
As if that wasn’t enough, this morning I received a FedEx package from Tree. Inside was a beautifully framed newspaper article.
Love ‘em and Leave ’em lothario takes severe beating at Paradise Hills Prison
Martin Greene, Staff reporter.
Ryan Weatherly, the notorious Love ‘Em and Leave ‘Em con man currently serving time at Paradise Hills Federal Prison, was severely beaten about 7:00 Thursday morning when a fight broke out in the shower. Weatherly claimed another inmate made advances, then attacked him when he refused.
Among Weatherly’s injuries were several broken ribs, a punctured lung, a compound fracture of his right forearm, a shattered left kneecap and a severe facial battering.
It looks like this Casanova, who made a career of romancing and bilking older women, will need to find a new line of work when his sentence is up. Doctors say his facial damage is so extensive, even with reconstructive surgery Weatherly certainly won’t be able to depend upon his looks to lure prey.
One of his victims contacted this reporter with a statement after seeing the report on Channel 3. Preferring to remain anonymous, she confided there is a group of women in Seattle who called themselves the Sisterhood of the Conned Cougars, all victims of the captivating Mr. Weatherly. She said, “We had a hand in putting him away, and what happened was nothing more than what he deserved.”
I read the clipping a second time, wondering who had spoken to the reporter. Back when I was one of the “Conned Cougars,” we had a common goal: to make sure Ryan was sent to prison. I don’t remember who came up with the name, but it stuck. Obviously no one had forgotten.
I’m happy to report that thanks to her talent and Cami’s ad campaign, Kate’s website has taken off like a rocket. Kate has drafted the outline of a book about our escapades and Cami’s boyfriend is preparing a representation agreement to pitch it as a movie. And, lest I forget to mention it, Cami continues to count more and more former clients from her old agency, Reed/Cunningham, as hers. Poetic justice!
Sometimes I think about that first day with all of us sitting around the conference table introducing ourselves. If I hadn’t squeezed into the elevator between Kate and Cami and suggested having lunch together, there probably would have been no Fraud Busters, no million dollars and no Nathan Hartman in my life. My two friends awoke my spirit of adventure and although I was terrified most of the time, in a way I miss the intrigue.
Kimberly Martin, amateur undercover agent, signing off for now.