An hour later I was in the surveillance van. I watched as two security guards clocked out and left the loan company. I wrote down the time in my notebook. I had everything I needed. All that was left was to actually do the job.

I was trying to decide what night would be best to do it, but I kept getting distracted. I couldn’t get Rob Crawford out of my mind. What kind of a guy sent his fiancée by herself to choose her own engagement ring?

It just didn’t sit right. I’d overheard the proposal too. None of it sat right. Something more was going on with Rob, and I needed to find out what.

I knew where Rob’s plastic surgery clinic was and headed out that way. It was a long drive and I listened to some old classic rock tunes. When I got to the clinic I parked outside the gates and directed my surveillance equipment toward his building.

It was no good. The building was built too well. I couldn’t make out anything but the digital clicking of cell phones, computers and the security system.

I’d have to try his house. It wouldn’t take too much to find out where he lived. I had his name. I was about to start a search when a sporty Mercedes approached the security gate and drove through.

I recognized the car as Rob’s and tailed him. I was careful to keep a good distance between him and the van. He didn’t know I was there so he wasn’t trying to lose me.

I followed him all the way back downtown, toward the area I’d been earlier in the day, and I figured he was going to meet up with Lacey. Probably so she could show him the ring she’d picked out. I let him get some space, figuring I knew where he was going, but as I watched, I saw he turned left instead of making the right I’d expected.

When he pulled up outside the loan company, I was really confused. What the hell was he doing there? Had he been following me too?

He parked and walked across the street, dressed to kill. I hopped into the back of the van and fired up the surveillance equipment. I put on the headphones and started twisting knobs and dials.

“I just need another five grand to hold me over.”

It was Rob’s voice. He was trying to borrow money.

“I’m not giving your broke ass another penny, you piece of shit.”

That was the loan clerk’s voice. I knew it well. I’d spent hours listening to it.

“Come on.”

“You’re so far into a hole, I just can’t throw any more money at you, Rob.”

“You know I’m good for it.”

“Yeah, if I repossess your business or something. You know how many lawyers that would take? I ain’t giving you another penny.”

“I’ve got a big job running,” Rob said. “This broad, she’s rich as heck, thinks I’m in love with her. I’m going to get serious money out of her.”

“Sure you are,” the clerk said. “If she’s so rich, why the hell would she want to get hitched to a dirtbag like you?”

“Hey,” Rob said, getting angry. “Don’t talk to me like that, you piece of shit. I’m one of the most respected doctors in the city. You’re a dirty loan shark.”

“All I’m saying is I ain’t giving you any more money until you clear some of the debt you already have on the book, Rob. You know how it works. If you don’t give ten grand to my guys by the end of the month, they’re going to start roughing you up for it.”

“Yeah, I know how it works, you piece of shit. You’ve been waiting to get the collectors on me since you met me.”

“If you don’t pay me back what you owe, I can’t pay my bills. All I want is you to make your next payment, Rob. Otherwise it’s beyond my control.”

Rob stormed out and got back into his car. I didn’t bother to follow him any farther. I’d learned enough. He was in debt. He owed money to these loan sharks. They’d hurt him if he didn’t make his payments. And he was playing Lacey to get money out of her.

I was overcome with anger. My fist came down on the dials of the monitor hard. The headphones rang out in my ear.

“Fuck,” I said.

What had Lacey ever done to deserve this?

She was a good person, kind and loving and honest and trusting. This fucking prick was trying to play her to get at her money. Hell no. Not on my watch.

I’d make him pay for ever even thinking he could try to get away with a thing like that. I’d make him think real hard about his choices in life. And what was more, I’d make sure Lacey never heard a word about any of it.

Rob would have to break off the engagement, that much was certain. But I’d have to make sure Lacey never knew he’d been trying to rip her off. She didn’t deserve that. She’d been cheated on before.

If she found out about this, she’d be devastated. She was the most lovable, beautiful girl in the world, and she kept picking the worst douchebags possible.

“Fuck,” I said again.

I’d make that dirtbag pay.