(This story is a fictionalized version of a true event that occurred in July, 2013, in Crossville, Tennessee.)
*
Libby and Rick were a fairly average couple. They met in high school, dated, and got married just after graduation.
Libby became a nurse assistant and worked at a local assisted living facility while Rick put his love for cars to good use as a remarkably good mechanic.
They weren't likely to become rich leading the lives that they found themselves in, but they, more often than not, paid their rent on time and had enough money for the all the necessities and even a few luxuries. That was the case, at least until the latest recession hit.
Unfortunately things had been getting rougher and rougher, and, in July their finances became stretched beyond the breaking point. There was a quick succession of bills for which the couple just wasn't prepared. Rather than dealing with creditors or attempting to get a bank loan, the couple decided to take matters into their own hands.
They had heard rumors of a very wealthy man named Allen who lived a street or two over in the neighborhood, and they found out that he had been alone for almost a year following the death of his wife. They began driving by and walking by his home, and within a few days they were comfortable that they had learned his patterns.
The next day Rick timed his neighborhood walk so that he was in front of Allen's house as the mail carrier came by. As soon as the carrier placed the letters in the mailbox and sped off, Rick walked by the box and removed a couple of them, barely slowing down in the process. He then headed home and helped Libby finish up packing their things, as they were hurrying to get their belongings out prior to the inevitable eviction.
That evening just before dusk, the doorbell rang at Allen's house.
Allen was just finishing up his dinner and walked over to his front door. Though not a bad neighborhood, Allen was always cautious. He knew that as a retired man he could be a target, and, had it been fully dark out, he probably wouldn't have even opened the door. He glanced through the peephole and saw a gorgeous blonde, probably in her late 20's, in a white nurse uniform. He began searching through his mind to remember if he was supposed to have an appointment with anyone this evening. He then noticed a man with her whom he recognized from seeing out and about around the neighborhood. He opened the door and greeted them.
"Hello, may I help you?" Allen asked.
"Not at all, sir," Nick responded, "We just got home and noticed that we had received some of your mail and wanted to return it."
Nick held up the letters as he finished speaking.
"Oh, well, thank you very much," Allen responded.
There was no reason to doubt the story, so he unlocked his door fully and opened it to retrieve the letters.
"I sure appreciate it this, folks," Allen said as he took the letters, "If I can ever help you two with anything, please let me know."
Allen's words were more out of habit than a genuine offer, so he was pretty much shocked when he received a reply.
"I actually am very hot, perhaps a drink, sir?" Libby said.
His manners came rushing back, as he took in what she had said.
"Of course, of course, please come in," he replied as he opened his door all the way.
The couple entered the home and could tell right away that they had been right. Everything was expensive, the furniture, glassware, and they suspected the art on the walls.
Allen offered drinks; Nick took water, and Libby chose wine while she complimented the home.
Upon receiving the wineglass from Allen, Libby commented on how beautiful Allen's backyard and swimming pool appeared and easily manipulated the conversation so that Allen was quickly suggesting that they move out to the patio to enjoy their beverages.
Allen was enjoying sharing wine with the younger, beautiful nurse, and, before long had brought the bottle out by the pool. By playing up to Allen, using compliments and such, she was able to get him to tell her & Nick about many of the collectables in his home. He didn't give exact dollar values, but he gave enough descriptions of when, where and how he had acquired some items that it became fairly obvious which parts of his treasures were some of the pricier pieces. They learned of a jewelry collection that had been accumulated over years and of a gun collection which contained several collectables.
At a break in one of Allen's stories, Libby asked if Allen had any cigarettes.
"Oh, no, Libby, I don't; I'm sorry." Allen answered.
"I know it's a bad habit," Libby went on, "I just crave them when I get tipsy."
