My wife severed our marriage through an email while I was serving overseas…

Maybe she’s a victim too, or maybe she’s in on it. I rubbed my face. This wasn’t just about Becky betraying me anymore.

This was something bigger. Something calculated. And other military families had been victims.

What do we do? I asked. I’ve already contacted the FBI’s Financial Crimes Division, James said. This crosses state lines, involves military personnel and VA loans.

They’re interested. That night, I sat in my motel room with a beer, thinking about everything. Wondering if Becky had been playing me our entire marriage, or if she’d gotten swept up in Jeremy’s scheme.

Wondering if it even mattered. My phone buzzed. Becky again.

Nathan, please call me. The bank is saying something about fraud, and Jeremy got arrested for driving your truck. I don’t understand what’s happening.

I stared at the message for a long time. Then I typed, Who is Daniel Spencer? Three dots appeared as she started typing, then stopped, started again, stopped. Finally, I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Fourteen thousand six hundred, I wrote. Multiple transfers. House listing? No response for ten minutes.

Then, it’s not what you think. I turned off my phone and went to bed. The next morning, James called.

FBI wants to meet. They’ve been investigating Ryan and Spencer for months. You’re not the first, but you might be the case that breaks it open.

For the first time since getting that divorce email, I felt something close to satisfaction. Not because my marriage was over, but because the truth was finally coming out. I met with the FBI agents at their field office in Spokane.

Agent Patel and Agent Donovan. They recorded my statement, took copies of all the documents James and I had gathered. Your case helps establish a pattern, Agent Patel explained.

Shows intent, organization, makes it a conspiracy rather than isolated incidents. What about Becky? I asked. My wife, ex-wife.

The agents exchanged looks. We’re still determining her level of involvement, Donovan said carefully. Did she ever mention financial difficulties? Pressure to sell the house? I thought back.

She kept saying we were house poor, that we should downsize. I didn’t see the need. Our mortgage payments were manageable on my salary.

Patel made a note. When did that start? About six months ago, around the time she must have met Jeremy. And the refinance? Donovan asked.

Never discussed it with me. She forged my signature while I was deployed. They asked more questions, took more notes.

When we finished, Patel handed me her card. We’ll be in touch. In the meantime, don’t confront your wife or Ryan.

We need to build this case carefully. I nodded. Understood…