Jake Farms and Peggy Bailey met in a courtroom in Minneapolis. Now they were to get married soon but went to Charleston, South Carolina, on a suggestion from their contact to put their justice plan into effect.

"Mom, Peggy and I are taking a short vacation before our wedding. We decided to head south, to Charleston. We might even go into Savannah to see the sights as well."

"It's probably not a good idea to leave so soon before your wedding." She looked at her son and didn't want to chide him for anything. I don't want to sound like your father. He made fun of and found fault with everything I wanted to do, telling me I was stupid for dreaming. "But go, and have fun," she said. "You've been entertaining us all for a week now. I can understand why you'd want to get away."

Surprised, Jake said, "Thanks, Mom."

"We're leaving in the morning. We'll need a ride to the airport, but we can always leave the car there instead," said Jake.

Pam didn't know they would be leaving so soon, but she accepted it. "I'll give you a ride. What time do we need to leave tomorrow?"

"Early. We need to leave at six in the morning."

"Perfect," said Pam. "I'll be able to make it back for work."

* * *

"There she is." Peggy pointed across to the other side of the gate where they were to catch their plane to South Carolina.

"Joyce, how are you?" Peggy gave her a hug. Then Joyce gave Jake a hug.

"I'm okay. A little nervous. I keep telling myself it's a good cause to help people. Especially people who have been screwed, so to speak, out of their life savings."

"We'll do fine," assured Jake.

Jake and Peggy met Joyce while in Omaha, working their justice plan at a children's shelter. Joyce became a good friend and was willing to help them get justice, just as they did in Omaha.

Joyce Armstrong was five six, thin, with dishwater-blonde hair and an energy that could be matched only by someone twenty years younger. She had been abused as a child and had a passion for running the children's shelter in Omaha. To get justice was part of her being, and she quickly made friends with the justice team, Peggy and Jake.

There wasn't much conversation while they waited for their flight or on the plane ride. They were all contemplating their roles in the upcoming days. If things went right, Peggy and Jake wouldn't have to leave Joyce alone to finish their plan to get home for their wedding.

They got their rental car, and when they arrived at the Best Western Hotel on Meeting Street, they stopped at the concierge's desk, picked up a map of the area, and then checked in. Joyce had a room adjoining Jake and Peggy's. After they settled in, they walked across the parking lot to the restaurant. They knew they had some preparation to do that night before they could start their justice plan.

"The ceremony will be at the Francis Marion Hotel," said Jake. "I decided we should stay at a different hotel." He thought the more money they saved, the more they could give away.

"The Francis Marion Hotel is on King Street and was named for a hero from the Revolutionary War. Marion's nickname was Swamp Fox and was given to him by Colonel Banastre Tarleton because he could disappear into the swamps and made it impossible for the enemy to catch him." Jake paused to remember what else he had read. "When his military service was ended, he was a brigadier general. He was also a senator for the state of South Carolina for eight years."

* * *

The three of them had three different appointments with either Jackson or June Chase. This morning, Peggy would meet with both of them. Peggy left for her appointment on Broad Street. Broad Street was a fascinating place, with interesting shops of clothing, accessories, home décor, and much more. Peggy promised herself that when she was done meeting with the Chases, she would buy Penny, her sister and maid of honor, a gift.

Broad Street was the broadest street in Charleston, then Charles Towne. It was also one of the most significant streets, historically wise in the nation.

Brooks Brothers, Banana Republic, Le Creuset, and Talbots were just a few shops that lined the street. There were also professional offices. When Peggy found what she was looking for, she walked into the office of June and Jackson Chase. They claimed they could double her money faster than any stockbroker. Peggy was wearing an expensive suit and shoes and carried a Coach bag, all bought at the thrift store in Des Moines, when they went into the city to deposit money for their justice plan.

Peggy went to the receptionist and gave her name, then looked through magazines for over an hour. The receptionist didn't ask her if she wanted coffee or apologize that the Chases were running late. Actually, she didn't do anything, didn't have a computer, the phone never rang, and she never made any calls out. She was also looking at outdated magazines.

There was no one else in the office. Their ad claimed they had many partners. But if they had many partners, there would be a lot more office traffic than just me and the receptionist, thought Peggy.

By now Peggy thought she should be heading back to the hotel. She decided she'd better text Jake so he knew what was happening. Before Jake texted her back, a frazzled couple walked into the office.

"You shouldn't have said that. What were you thinking?" She turned and looked at him. "I told you to let me do the talking this time."

The receptionist said June's name several times before she heard. "June, you have someone waiting for you and Jackson. She's been waiting over an hour."

June stopped. Embarrassed, she turned toward Peggy. "Ah ... I'm sorry you had to wait. Give us a minute and I'll have Jennifer send you in." Before June turned and went to her office, she quickly scanned what Peggy was wearing and knew they were designer clothes. With those clothes, she must be rich. I'll make sure she invests a lot of money.

Peggy nodded and went back to reading her magazine. It looks like June runs the show, thought Peggy. Several minutes later, June came out and escorted her to an office. It was a small office, with bare walls, and Jackson was waiting behind the desk. June gestured to a chair, and Peggy sat. June joined Jackson behind the desk.

Jackson was six feet, taller than Jake, noticed Peggy. His movements radiated arrogance. He had on brown pants, a tweed jacket and tan turtleneck. His dark brown hair and pale brown eyes were transparent and didn't exude trust. A wide nose that looked out of place with his small mouth.

June had on a tight navy blue skirt that rested above her knees, with a white tank top. She wore an attractive light blue angora sweater that buttoned down the front. Her light highlighted hair was shoulder length and her hazel eyes were deep and intense. Her makeup was perfect and Peggy thought she could be a model on a magazine cover.

They looked like two misfits. Then Peggy noticed something. Something that wasn't there, that is usually found in every office. A computer. She never thought much of it in the receptionist area, but in an investment office, there should be a way to do research on the market. This might prove to be very interesting, thought Peggy.

"Where are you from?" drawled June.

"I live in Charleston. I wasn't born and raised here, so I don't have an accent."

"Were you from the Midwest?"

"Yes, my husband and I decided we needed a change of scenery. We made several good investments over the years, and with all this money, we'd like to invest more of it." She hoped the short gray wig she wore made her look older.

"How did you hear about us?"

"My husband heard about you. I'm not sure how or from whom."

"What types of things did you invest in over the years?"

"Mostly oil."

"Yes, that's the best type of investments to make."

Jackson finally spoke. "I'll get you set up on that right now."

June gave him a dirty look, one she didn't hide from Peggy. "As you can see, our office equipment is in the shop. I would like to get your information and then call you. I'll be right back."

Jackson watched Peggy as if he was supposed to make sure she didn't try to escape. It was getting so uncomfortable that Peggy thought she might try to leave, when June came in with paper and a pen. They could've at least filled the desk with the essentials to make all this seem believable. Peggy almost laughed.

"Please write down you and your husband's full name, address, and phone numbers." When that was done, Peggy slid the paper across the desk. "Oh, good. I'll give you a call by the end of the week."

"It would be nice if you could call sooner. My husband and I are going overseas for several months. You know, stay at our villa in Italy, and just do some sightseeing."

Jackson could hardly hold back his excitement. "Wonderful, wonderful. We'll call you tomorrow then." He didn't dare look at June after his last tongue-lashing. "I'll show you out."

Jackson came back into the office and smiled at June. "Looks like we hit gold."

"Something's not right. She didn't ask any questions."

"I'm glad because the last two clients asked questions and we couldn't answer them."

* * *

"This is taking too long," said John Mason, Jake's contact. "I thought the Chases would be revealed to the authorities by now."

"What did you expect? If you wanted it your way, then you should've told this Jake guy you wanted them caught before the award ceremony, and then you wouldn't be pulling out your hair." Max Hunter, John's best friend, looked at John's hair. "Speaking of which, what the hell have you done with your hair?"

"I tried straightening it, but it didn't go so well."

"It looks curlier now than ever before. I think you should leave it alone."

John rubbed his hands over his head. "You're probably right. It doesn't bother me, but sometimes Nell looks at it and kind of gets a funny look on her face."

"She probably thinks you're sexy."

John laughed. "There's nothing sexy about me."

* * *

Peggy bought a bracelet for Penny. It was gold with purple stones, and hopefully they matched her bridesmaid's dress, but she was sure Penny would like it anyway. She took a cab the short distance to the hotel. Jake and Joyce were waiting in the lounge.

Jake stood and pulled out a chair for her. Before she had a chance to sit down, he gave Peggy a kiss. "I love kissing so many different women. It seems you're the one who wears all the disguises."

"Well, don't get too used to it, I'm taking this off as soon as I get to the room."

Peggy filled them in on what happened. "The office was as bare as could be. I'm surprised there was a phone. But since it didn't ring and there were no calls made, it could've been a fake."

"So why is the couple being awarded for embezzling money? Once upon a time they must have been on the up and up." Joyce took a sip of water. "I have my appointment in the morning with Jackson. I'll see for myself what he's like."

"I have one the morning after that with June," said Jake.

"It will be good to hear your take on the two of them. Jackson was the one who couldn't control his emotions. I thought he was going to jump up and down, thinking he was getting more money."

"I thought it was a good idea for us to go separately. Several age groups. That way we can see if there are any prejudices on age and also their method of getting our money."

"I hope you don't have to wait like I did," said Peggy.

Joyce was looking at her date book. "It looks like I don't even have the same location. It's still on Broad Street, but a block up from your meeting, Peggy."

Jake was quiet, trying to think of why they would have different locations. They didn't even have office equipment, and now they are going to a different location. He pulled out his date book from his pile of papers.

"My address is different, too. Still on Broad Street, though." He drank some coffee. "I didn't think offices would rent out space for a few hours. That would be expensive if they did. With nothing in the office but a few desks, I wonder if they are even paying for the space. They could have rented space at one time, and so they don't get caught, they break into the office and move in the desks at night when they think no one would be around."

"I'm not sure that happens, but I think when it gets dark I'll be wandering around to see.

"We should all go. You two in front of the buildings where there's more traffic, and I'll hang out in the back somewhere. If we could catch them doing that, it'll be one more thing to add to their record. Breaking and entering."

"I'll go check out the back of the place while you and Peggy go interview that poor mom," said Joyce. "She has to be devastated. No money, small kids, a crappy place to live."

"I know who the landlord is, and I'm going to name drop at the Department of Health. I want to get the family out of there, but I don't want the rest of the tenants to suffer any more either." Jake paid the bill. "I guess it's time to go back to work."

* * *

Joyce parked in a lot at the end of Broad Street. She walked along the boulevard and was excited about all the shops she saw and would reward herself after she was done looking for places the Chases could possibly hide two desks.

She walked down the alley behind the long block. Nothing was out of the ordinary. There were garbage receptacles, a door with the number of each suite. She walked back around the building, mentally taking note of the gift shops she would visit while she headed down the block where her meeting was to take place.

She went to the back without even looking for shopping sites. Not much was different. She walked a little further until she found the suite number she was looking for. There were two small desks tucked behind the garbage receptacle. If she didn't know better, she would think it was being left for the garbage truck.

She took mascara out of her purse and rubbed it on the front of both desks. On a whim, she thought it might help if the same desks were used at different locations. There was a telephone in a drawer, and when she picked it up, it was hollow. She put it back and shut the drawer. In another drawer were outdated magazines.

Joyce looked around and noticed a green metal recycle bin with cut-up boxes. Jake could hide in there. It's better than inside with the garbage. She laughed and made her way back to the street.

Mission accomplished! Now I can shop.

Joyce didn't know which shop to go to first. She had a choice of Brooks Brothers, Le Creuset, Talbots, and Banana Republic. There were more, but she didn't have time to check them all out. The way she liked to shop, it would take all day.

* * *

"This is a terrible place to stay," said Peggy as they walked up the sidewalk to the apartment building. "I can't bear to think how those children feel after having a house and food to eat, and now it's probably rare they get fed at all."

"We can't be too sure what's going on, but I hope it's better than it looks," Jake said.

They made their way inside the foyer. There were newspapers all over the floor, with leaves that had blown in from outside. Jake looked for the last name, Westin, and pushed the button. After several minutes, he pushed the button again. He was hoping she would be home.

"What do you want?" asked Kate Westin in an angered voice.

"I don't want anything. We want to talk to you about Jackson and June Chase."

The buzzer sounded, and Jake and Peggy went through the door. They climbed two flights of stairs. The stairs were sticky, but they kept going. Jake knocked on the door. It was opened while his hand was still in the air.

"How do you know about Jackson and June?" She held the door so it couldn't be pushed open. "And what do you care? Look at this place. They took all my money, and now I'm living in this sty. I hate it here." If she said one more word, she knew she would cry and never stop.

"Can we come in?" asked Peggy in a comforting voice. She no longer wore her wig and had on jeans and a jean jacket. "We aren't here for the Chases but because of them."

Kate looked at Peggy and Jake. They were around her age, and even though they were thin, Kate was thinner. There was hardly enough food to feed the children, so Kate stopped eating. She couldn't bear it when her children cried at night because they were hungry. She was tired, and she let her defenses down and opened the door.