CHAPTER 1
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...
