A Fresh Start by the Sea

But it didn't feel like a victory parade. It felt like the end of a long, sad funeral.

The next morning, the sun was shining brighter than ever. I met Chloe for breakfast at a cafe

in La Jolla before my flight. The ocean was a brilliant turquoise, crashing against

the rocks. "So," Chloe said, stirring her latte. "He paid?" "He paid."

"And he ran?" "He ran." Chloe shook her head. "A con man with

a conscience. That's a rare breed. Or maybe he just knew you were the one guy who wouldn't

stop hunting him." "Maybe," I said. "Or maybe he just wanted to be square with one person

in his life before he disappeared for good." "What are you going to do now?"