Olivia Price lived in a small town outside Harrisburg, where she worked as a physical therapist and cared for their elderly mother. She agreed to speak with James and Rebecca through a scheduled video call, explaining that she wanted an attorney present before discussing accusations involving her sister. James appreciated the caution. After discovering how badly his judgment had failed him, he had become wary of accepting any dramatic story without evidence.
Olivia appeared on the screen wearing medical scrubs, her expression troubled.
"Natalie and I haven't spoken regularly in eight years," she began.
She explained that their family grew up in modest circumstances. Natalie was ambitious, intelligent, and unusually skilled at persuading people to trust her. After college, she entered financial sales and began associating with wealthy investors. Olivia initially admired her success, but their relationship deteriorated when Natalie repeatedly borrowed money and refused to explain where it went.
"Eventually, she stopped using our family name," Olivia said.
Rebecca asked about the widower.
His name was Edward Lawson, a retired insurance executive living near Philadelphia. Olivia claimed Natalie became engaged to him six years earlier, shortly after his wife died. The engagement ended when Edward's daughter discovered questionable financial documents connected to a proposed investment arrangement.
"Did they marry?" James asked.
"No."
"Was he financially harmed?"
"He believed he'd lost money through an investment she recommended. I don't know what a court established."
Olivia supplied contact information for Edward's attorney and copies of messages Natalie sent during that period. Rebecca arranged to verify the details independently.
James felt a familiar nausea rising.
Vanessa hadn't simply stumbled into his life. She might have followed a pattern designed to exploit people grieving a spouse.
Then Olivia said something that unsettled him more.
"Natalie used to talk about how easy it was to make lonely people believe they were loved."
James looked away.
He remembered the evening they met at a hospital fundraiser. Vanessa approached him after hearing someone mention Claire. She spoke gently about losing her own father and understanding grief. She seemed to know exactly when to offer sympathy and when to change the subject.
He had believed their connection was extraordinary.
Now he wondered how much research she'd done before introducing herself.
"Why are you helping me?" he asked.
Olivia's eyes filled with tears.
"Because someone should have stopped her years ago."
After the call, Rebecca contacted Edward's attorney.
The response arrived unexpectedly quickly.
Edward was willing to speak.
But he wanted James to bring something specific: a photograph of Vanessa's engagement ring.
When James asked why, Edward's attorney replied, "Because we believe that ring was stolen from another family."