
The Case of the Cheating Girlfriend
“I do?” Jen stood up and moved over behind Molly to look at her computer. She looked at his picture. “You’re right. He’s that guy who advertises on TV to sell Fords. His motto is ‘Go to bat with Matt’ If he owns four Ford dealerships, he must be doing very well.”
The next Friday…
Jen and Molly agreed that the best strategy would be to follow Shanice from the gym after her class. They had a good picture of Jones, so they knew what he looked like. They parked where they could see the entrance to the gym and waited. Soon, Shanice arrived and went inside. She had walked from the hotel. At the time that Shanice should be teaching, Jen and Molly decide to go inside to see if they could spot Jones. They told the receptionist at the front desk that they were looking for a friend. They found Shanice’s class. They didn’t see Jones anywhere.
After her class, Shanice walked back to the hotel. Jen and Molly followed her in Jen’s car at a distance. They parked outside again and waited to see if Jones showed up. Nothing happened. Finally, as it was getting dark, Molly suggested they go sit in the lobby of the hotel where the lighting was better. They moved inside the hotel and sat down with their cameras ready. Jen sat facing the main entrance while Molly sat facing the elevators.
Two hours later, Molly spotted Jones getting off the elevator. He walked swiftly toward exit. Molly tried to signal Jen, but Jen was talking on her cellphone. She realized they might not get a good picture. As Jones walked by, Molly started to get up and dropped her cane. Jones stopped to pick it up for her. As Molly struggled to stand up, Jones offered her his hand. That also got Jen’s attention, and she started secretly taking a few pictures with her cellphone. Molly stood up with Jones help and paused to look at his face.
“Oh my God,” she said. “You’re that guy on TV. The one who sell cars.”
Jones smiled. “Yes, ma’am, I am. Matt Jones is the name.” He extended his hand to Molly.
“Oh my,” Molly gushed. “I was thinking about buying a Ford-a pickup.”
Jones looked down at Molly prostheses. “Are you a veteran?”
“I am, sir.”
“Thank you for your service. We offer a discount for veterans.” He reached inside his coat and removed a business card. “Come see me. I’ll give you a good deal on a pickup.”
“I will.” Molly held up her cellphone. “Mind if I get a selfie? My girlfriends will be impressed.”
“Sure. Tell them to come by for a good deal.” He leaned in with his head next to Molly as she took their picture. After she took the pictures, they shook hands and Jones left.
Jen walked up to Molly. Both were grinning. “You are such a flirt,” Jen said.
“Yeah, don’t tell Marty. How did we miss him?”
“He probably arrived while we were at the gym watching Shanice and waited in the lobby until she arrived then went up to her room with here.”
“Okay, that makes sense. What do we do now?”
“I have an idea,” Jen said. “Follow me.” They walked over to the receptionist and were able to get Shanice’s room number. Jen also asked what time the maid service starts. Shanice’s room was on the sixth floor. Jen and Molly took the elevator to the sixth floor. Shanice’s room was near the end of a long hallway. Outside the door on the floor lay a tray with leftover food, two wine glasses and an empty bottle of wine.
“They ordered room service,” Molly said. She took out her cellphone and took some pictures.
“Makes sense,” Jen replied. “Jones is all over the TV. He can’ risk someone recognizing him. He’s a married man with a family.” Jen picked up the wine bottle and held it so Molly could take a picture of the label.
Once Molly and Jen got back to the office, they printed out their pictures.
The next day…
Jen and Molly decided no to follow Shanice to her Saturday class. They arrived at the hotel early and saw her leave. They figured that Matt and Shanice would have a rendezvous after her class. She had a late flight that afternoon. Jen saw the housekeepers arrive for work and followed them into their locker room. After fifteen minutes she emerged and walked over to Molly.
“Well.” Molly asked.
“All set. The housekeeper that cleans the sixth floor will bag up their trash and put it in a gray bag. They normally use clear plastic bags. She’ll leave it by the trash dumpster in back. Cost us $50.”
“What time,” Molly asked.
“Two pm when she finishes her shift.”
Jen and Molly knew that Shanice’s class was from 8 to 9 am. At 9:30 am, Shanice entered the hotel. Molly decided to wait in the car to avoid bumping into Matt since he knew what she looked like. Around a quarter after eleven, Matt walked into the hotel. Jen saw him took a time stamped picture.
Matt walked straight toward the elevators. After he left, Jen decided to join Molly in the car. They went for lunch at a fast-food joint. AT 2 pm, Jen and Molly pulled behind the hotel. There, next to the dumpster was a gray trash bag. Molly grabbed it and threw it into the back seat.
Back at their office, Jen placed a large plastic tarp on the table and Molly dumped the contents of the bag onto the tarp. The women began to shift through the trash from Shanice’s room. Most of it was paper products. Finally, Molly said, “Bingo,” as she held up a condom wrapper. “They definitely had sex.”
Jen took out her cellphone and snapped a picture. “here’s another on,” Molly shouted. “Twice? Lucky girl.” She placed both wrapper on the table and Jen took another picture.
“Any condoms,” Jen asked.
“Ew, I hope not,” Molly replied. “Probably flushed.”
Later, Jen finished their report and e-mailed everything to JB. They concluded that Shanice was cheating on JB.
Three Weeks later…
Jen and Molly were working on their next case when Jonah called from APD Homicide. “Jen, do you, or did you, have a client in Nashville, Tennessee?
“Oh, oh. This can’t be good,” Jen replied. “Wait, I’m going to put you on speaker phone. Molly and I worked that case together.” Jen put her phone on speaker. “What’s up?”
“I just had a call from the homicide department in Nashville. They’re working on a case, and they found your phone number and name on the vic’s cellphone.
“Oh, shit. Who?” Molly asked.
“His name was Joseph Brown, but he goes by JB.”
“Yes, he was a client,” Jen answered. “but the case is closed.”
“By any chance, was this a murder-suicide?” Molly asked.
“No,” Jonah answered. “It was double homicide; JB and his girlfriend Shanice Williams.”
“I’ll send you everything we have. What happened?” Jen asked.