Carbon Copies

*Dun Dunnn Da dun Dunn da du* (Torrance smacks the snooze button)

"No way it's 6:30..... already?", thinks Torrance as he stretches then slowly rolls out of bed.

He rises to his feet and heads to the bathroom. On his way to brush his teeth, he yells, " Thank you Lord for another day! This air is yours and with grace and mercy I am allowed to breathe it!"

Jason, his newest roommate hates this. It's not because he hates God, it's just he doesn't have to be up until 8 am and there's no snooze button on Torrance.

First, it's the high volumed thanks-giving, then it's the high volume praise music as Torrance prepares for work; and how does one really say "you are worshipping too loud" without sounding like you are "ungrateful for seeing this new day and for having ears to hear praises go to our Lord" which is the what Torrance said to Jason last time he asked him to turn the music down in the morning.

Just like I have been for the last 6 days, I notate this seemingly routine morning in my little black book.

Oh, wait! I am Sonny by the way. Sonny Daniels.

Now, you are probably wondering why I am watching Jason and Torrance. For that let's go back a couple of weeks.

So, I'm sitting in Jonny Jim's Deli eating a Jonny Jim's #5 Slim (I'm watching my figure) and this lady comes and sits at my table.

Now I'm thinking " Oh yeah...these slims and salads are really working their magic." A thought quickly interrupted when she says, "You are Sonny D the P.I. right?"

"Why, yes I am, what can I do you for?" What can I do you for?! Who says that? If I had a shot, I blew it now. Mentally smacking myself, I watch her nervously twiddling her thumbs.

She lets out a sigh of relief and with a slight smile, she lets me know that she has been looking for a private investigator and got my name from a friend. She goes on to say, "My ex, Jason, finally moved out of my house; but when he left, so did a few items that have sentimental value to me. I tried to report him to the police, but they said that I need evidence that he stole something. Even if he has it, I need evidence of ownership. I have evidence of ownership," she briefly pauses, "but I can't prove he has it. That's where you come in."

"My price is twenty," I say bluntly.

"Money is no object," she interrupts, "I just need your complete dedication to this job no matter if it takes 2 days or 2 weeks!"

At this point, her desperation is triggering me. Maybe I should turn down this gig because she is sounding mad suspect. But on the other hand, I'm thinking 2 weeks at $20 an hour, 16 hours a day, and maybe more?! This job has great potential!

She goes on to tell me what she needs. She wanted me to do audio and visual surveillance on Jason. She tells me to record audio and takes pictures. If he mentions anything about carbon copies or if I see him with a red envelope, I need to contact her. She also asked me to keep a detailed record of both his and Torrence's daily routine. What time they get up, what time do they head out, what places does Jason frequent, and what time they get home. She told me that if she is going to build a solid case, she has to catch Jason while he is at the house; but would rather spare the roommate of any inconveniences or trouble. If she can, she prefers to call the police when Torrance is gone and Jason was home alone.

So, I told her that I will take the job and that there is a $500 retainer fee. She took out the cash and paid me right there. Then she threw me another $10 and said, "lunch is on me, sorry for interrupting you!" She was super nice. And man she was fine. Oh yeah, her name was Shonda. I didn't get the last name just this phone number, 816-555-1234.

So, back to this morning. I took note of the time that Torrence and Jason got up, in my little black book. An hour later, Torrence left for work just like he has done for the past 6 days that I have been watching them. 7:30 on the dot. The guy is punctual I'll tell you.

However today, Jason didn't leave at 9 like he normally does. Today, I picked up that he was on a phone call. He told the person on the other line that they "can have all the carbon copies today." He said, "meet me where the shepherd releases the real" or something like that.

I called Shonda to let her know that he finally mentioned carbon copies and is meeting someone at a cryptic location. She told me to follow him and share my location with her, she will meet me and pay me when she gets there. So I packed all my equipment and waited for him to leave. While I would have loved to get paid for 220 hours, this case had been boring up until today. Honestly, I was excited for it to be over. "I will gladly take my 100-hour payday," I said to myself. Nice and easy, but I don't want to be babysitting in my van for another week, ya know.

So anyway, I follow Jason to St.Ives Lake...and it clicks...shepherd like a pastor or saint...release the reel...fishing. I pull up and grab my camera and I start to text Shonda

*Knock Knock knock* But she was already tapping on my passenger window.

I let her in and I point out the direction Jason went. She says "thank you" hands me an envelope and says my job is complete then got out of the car and headed towards Jason.

I check my money, gotta be careful these days, but instead of $2000 she paid me $20,000!! And there was a diamond in there as well!

I just thought "oh wow this is my lucky day" and also "maybe she does like me...Sonny you still got it." At the same time, I am an honest guy and I wanted to make sure that she knew that I meant twenty an hour not twenty thousand dollars. I tried to call her but her phone was under my passenger seat. Then I saw her running. She hopped in Jason's car and sped off. Before I knew what was happening, I was surrounded by you guys!

"Officer, I swear I did not know she was a jewelry thief and I was not her accomplice. That phone is hers and she overpaid me. This is all just a huge misunderstanding."

"Nice story Sonny... remember those same details when you are in front of the judge," said Officer Lee "All the evidence we have now, is a phone with Jason's fingerprints and yours inside your van, his routine written in detail in your Moleskin black book, a payment in your possession of 1 of the 200 diamonds from the stolen Vucci Necklace and $20,000 cash"

"Looks like your lawyer is here," says Officer Lee as he walks out the interrogation room. "My lawyer?" Thought Sonny as this mysterious lady walks in with a briefcase and a folder. She takes a seat and takes off her sunglasses and says " Here's the deal Sonny..." as he soon realizes it is 'Shonda'

To be continued...