Shades of Deception

The real estate broker found potential buyers for Mark's house. They were a couple with two children. The wife operated a children's daycare center, and the husband was the C.E.O. of an executive recruiting and staffing firm. They walked through the house and fell in love with it right away. For them, the house and the neighborhood were idyllic for a growing family.

The couple bid four hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the house. The offer was accepted, and the husband and wife were now the proud owners of a beautiful home.

Mark and Misty had thirty days to vacate the property. She decided to return to Albuquerque to check on the spa and scout around for a new house. He felt this was a good idea since it would take time for him to tie-up loose ends.

A week later, Misty e-mailed Mark; she found a beautiful three bedroom, three-bath duplex in a luxury-gated community, not too far from the spa. The asking price was three hundred and ninety-five thousand dollars.

It had a private courtyard and a terrace overlooking the city. There was tile throughout the place. The spacious kitchen was equipped with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops with tile backsplash, and alder custom cabinets. There were solid stained wood doors, a 23 feet foyer, a roof tile, and many more fine add-ons.

He saw a video of the house and was extremely pleased with her selection. She had an eye for beauty and excellent taste. As long as she loved the place and was happy, he was happy.

A week later, Mark mailed her a cashier's check for four hundred and ten thousand dollars. The extra money would cover closing costs, purchasing furniture, and other accessories for the new home.

The new owners had finally moved into Mark's house.

He was staying at the YMCA and preparing to leave for New Mexico.

Four weeks went by, and Mark had not heard from Misty. He figured she was busy getting the spa ready for its grand opening, furnishing and decorating their new home. He decided to call her, but the number was disconnected. Of course, he concluded that she was probably at the new residence, but he neglected to get the name and phone number of the real estate agency that was handling the sale.

He went on-line and sent an e-mail, but she never replied. He wrote a letter to the address where he had mailed the check, but one month later, the envelope came back stamped unclaimed. He had no idea where the house and spa were. For all he knew, they were in Timbuktu.