“It’s simply a matter of remembering everyone’s name, Mother Bates,” Elizabeth said. “Con men often have more than one con going at the same time. You also have to be careful managing your schedule, so your marks don’t run into each other.”

“They should have been careful that their marks don’t have the same attorney,” Gideon said.

Elizabeth smiled at that. “I assure you that con men seldom use reputable attorneys, and they usually advise their marks not to consult their own attorneys, for fear that they will warn them off.”

“Which I certainly did with Mr. Coleman. If there was any oil on that land, Waterson wouldn’t be selling it. Even Standard Oil and Texaco aren’t interested in it, and they own the land surrounding it.”

“How do you know they aren’t interested in it, darling?”

“Because I asked them.”

For some reason, Elizabeth seemed very surprised at this. “How did you ask them?”

“I telephoned their local offices. I wanted to make sure they really owned the adjoining land. It’s what any responsible attorney would do.”

“How very diligent of you, darling. I don’t suppose your telephone call aroused their interest, did it?”

“I can’t imagine that it did.”

“But I can. Tell me, did the paperwork show that this Waterson really does own the land himself?”

“It did, and it also showed that he lied about his family members deeding it to him so he could sell it more easily. He apparently bought it two months ago from some Texan.”

“I hope you didn’t mention that in front of Mr. Coleman.”

“I did not. If Coleman had been an ordinary client, I would have, naturally, but I didn’t want to spoil whatever was going on by introducing facts.”

“That’s so smart of you, darling. And did you tell Mr. Waterson that you had contacted Standard Oil and Texaco?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Even better. If you will excuse me, I need to telephone the Old Man right away. You just solved a thorny problem.”

She was smiling when she returned. Gideon had made a point of not listening to her side of the conversation. Ignorance was bliss when it came to Elizabeth’s plans.

“And speaking of thorny problems . . .” he began as she took her seat beside him again. “Mrs. Darlington came by today to demand that I release the funds she requested. It’s been almost three weeks now, and I don’t know how much longer I can hold her off.”

“Mrs. Darlington?” Elizabeth echoed in confusion.

Gideon slapped his forehead in frustration. “Blast. I forgot I hadn’t told you her name.”

“Lucretia Darlington?” his mother said. “You are so right not to give her the funds. She is just the sort of person to be taken advantage of.”

Gideon groaned.