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There was no way out--the deal was nearly done I had to calm down, this was crucial So I took a few seconds to breathe, then I pasted an easy smile on my face Casually--like I did this every day--I reached for one of the piles of cash and thuoing by looked good, so I stopped at one of them to examine it s, snappingAt first I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, but realization pierced throughat a three-dollar bill

I felt etables The deal was definitely dead, and I ht be, too I needed to run now--I had to take action But I couldn’t seem to ht! Again! Damn if I wasn’t the world’s worst con artist

How had this happened? Did he know the guitar was a fake? What else did he know about this con? About ed his uitar wouldn’t pass all tests, but that it would pass the initial exahly tested later Whatever the reason, Alejandro had learned the truth I’d been swindling hi there unsteadily, I felt all an to fade, and I could barely remember what na in a prison cell

Then, with a mental slap to the face, I confronted my reality The first order of business was escape, so I dropped the pile of cash and turned to the door Good thing I’d parked my car close

But Alejandro had beaten me to the door and stood there with his arone, replaced with an emotionless mask, hard and opaque

Bea always told me, "Never let theathered as much of myself as I could and foldedabout"

He blew out a harsh laugh "You’re right, there’s nothing wrong here Fake uitar" He leaned closer and squinted "You tried to cheat me, didn’t you, Ms Dee Frank"