Scam Chowder by Maya Corrigan Page A

without comment.
    His paddle slowed when she mentioned the financial scam. “What’s this con man’s name? I’ll try to do some research on him.”
    â€œScott Freaze.” Val spelled the name.
    â€œGreat-Aunt Gretchen nearly fell for a scam like that. Luckily, she asked my advice before she handed over any money.”
    Back in June, when Val questioned Gunnar’s honesty, she’d doubted the existence of that aunt and the inheritance he’d received from her. “Your aunt went to the right person for advice. My grandfather advised his friend Ned to invest with the scammer, and may have even invested money himself.”
    â€œPeople who target the elderly are bottom-feeding lowlifes, almost as bad as child abusers.” Gunnar wielded the paddle with a vigor that splashed up water. “Older people are easy marks for cons. They grew up when crime was rare. They respect authority, trust people, and want to please them. All those good qualities make them vulnerable.”
    â€œIf all fraud victims respect authority, trust others, and try to please, I can rest easy.” Val stretched out her legs. “Granddad doesn’t have any of those traits.”
    Gunnar grinned. “You’re hard on him. Those aren’t the only traits of con victims. They also like to feel special and score a bargain.”
    â€œ Now you’ve described Granddad. He always wants something for nothing. But I’d be surprised if he fell for a too-good-to-be-true scheme.”
    â€œMaybe he didn’t. Safe investments these days don’t pay as well as they used to. Your grandfather and his friend probably remember making ten percent on CDs. If the con man promised a return like that, they’d have less reason to suspect fraud.”
    Val hoped Gunnar’s knowledge of financial scams encompassed how to recover from them. “How can a victim of investment fraud get the money back?”
    â€œIt’s hard to prove financial fraud because it can look like bad investment advice. You can’t put someone in jail or demand restitution for that.”
    â€œEven if it happens over and over?”
    â€œA pattern of rip-offs would strengthen the case, but older people make bad witnesses because of their poor memory for details. Most of them don’t even tell anyone they’ve lost money. They’re ashamed or afraid their children will take over the purse strings.”
    Maybe Granddad had said his friend made a bad investment to avoid admitting he’d done it himself. Val made a mental note to talk to Ned. “You’re not cheering me up, Gunnar.”
    â€œWould a dinner at the Tuscan Eaterie cheer you up?”
    Val had gone there when the restaurant first opened and had left unimpressed, but maybe by now the chef had gotten his act together. She’d like to give it another try. “Yes, it would cheer me up, but I’d rather not leave Granddad by himself tonight. He’s had a rough day.” Gunnar’s B & B came into view, a two-and-a-half-story Colonial with wings, one of the larger riverfront dwellings. “Why don’t you eat with us? Nothing fancy.”
    He fingered his cargo shorts. “Does that mean I won’t have to change clothes?”
    â€œIf you change into a tux, we’ll do a Downton Abbey dinner. Otherwise, shorts and a T-shirt are fine.”
    He maneuvered the canoe toward the shore and climbed out where the water was only knee high. “Stay in your seat. I’ll tug the canoe onto land.”
    Once she climbed from the canoe, they turned it upside down, next to the kayaks.
    She pointed toward the top floor of the B & B. “You must have a good view if you’re in the room with dormer windows.”
    â€œMy window is on the front, facing the parking area. The view’s not bad as long as I don’t look down. Above the trees, I can see the turret on your grandfather’s house.”
    As they