Split Identities Chapter 1 (Free Sample of the Work In Progress)

Tuesday March 7th

4 pm

Sam’s Diner

Donland Borough

The bell above the door chimed. Sam stopped his conversation with a waitress long enough to greet me with a smile after which he turned back to her, mascara lines ran from eye to chin. I stole a few more glances at them as I made my way to my customary table in the corner of the trailer-style Sam’s Diner. Sitting in the corner to have a full view of the exits isn’t a conscious thought necessarily, simply an occupational hazard.

I settled into the sea-foam green booth. Sam looked at me, held up his index finger, and turned back to the waitress who wiped tears from her cheek. Sam said something to her. She smiled, turned, and pushed her way through the Employees Only swinging door.

Sam lifted open the pivoting counter and made his way to my booth.

“Josh, how was the shift today?” Sam shook my hand as he sat down across from me.

“An awful lot of pencil pushing. Captain Gray assigned me a new partner today, Jack Arnold. He transferred from Norland into Donland against his will. Seems like a decent guy, but something about him rubs me the wrong way.” I bit my tongue. Saying anymore would be gossip. I didn’t have eyewitnesses for my suspicions about my new partner, and I didn’t want to slander the man.

“Arnold? Doesn’t ring a bell. I’d imagine trust in your partner is crucial in your line of work. Unfortunately for you, you don’t get to pick your partners. Speaking of your job, would you mind talking to Allie, the girl I was talking to when you came in.”

“She looked pretty upset. What’s happened?”

“She’s been a model employee. Comes in on time, works overtime if we need it. Rarely misses a day. She came in an hour late today, in tears. She thinks someone stole her identity.” Sam shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t understand everything she was telling me. I thought you might.”

“I’ll talk to her. I’d love a cup of coffee while you’re over there.” I smiled. I didn’t want to take a report and identity theft wasn’t my department, but I figured I could at least steer the poor kid in the right direction.

Sam thanked me and slid out of the booth. I turned my attention to the mural at the far side of the diner. The building of ACT Tower. The Adams and Westons who co-run the company were good friends. Their media company shined like a ray of hope on this dark island. Fellow Christians in prominent civic positions are much too rare here.

“Detective? I have your coffee. Sam said I could talk to you about my problem.” Allie placed the steaming cup of straight black java in front of me.

“Sure. Have a seat and tell me what’s happening.” I blew into the cup before taking my first sip.

“I stopped to get gas this afternoon on my way in here and the pump denied my debit card. I figured the pump malfunctioned. So, I went inside to prepay. My card declined again for insufficient funds. I’m very careful with my money. I know that I should have a hundred dollars.” Allie pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and scrolled. I assumed she would use it show me her bank balance, but that didn’t happen. Typical of her generation, constantly checking their devices.

“Did you call the bank?” I took out my notepad and started a new page for this case. I took an oath to serve and protect which means I don’t get to pick my partner or the cases that come to me.

“No. I checked my bank app.” Allie looked at me like I had just asked her if she sent a telegram. I’m not that old, but I guess I just don’t think like these kids. Her eyes darted back to the hot pink phone and her thumbs set to work again.

“What did you find?”

Her thumbs stopped. Her eyes darted from her phone to the ceiling, she bit her lip. Her eyes eventually fell back to me. “A thousand dollars overdrawn. It’s my overdraft limit. I didn’t spend that much.” Her chin quivered.

“What was purchased?”

Her thumbs attacked the screen. She handed me the phone. Over the last two days three large purchases: a motherboard for around $200, a 13” TV for around $300, and a used smartphone for around $600. All from Danube Delivery Services, a massive online retailer. Hopefully this case would be as simple as finding out the account that made the purchases.

“Do you have a Danube account?”

“I do, but these purchases weren’t from my account.” She looked up briefly then back to her phone.

“I’ll look into this for you. You need to contact your bank right away and get that account closed. Can you print that bank statement for me?” I jotted a few notes.

“Print it? Can you just take a picture of it with your phone? I have it saved as a PDF. I can send it to you.” Her thumbs danced across her screen. “What’s your e-mail?”

I pulled out one of my cards and slide it over to her.

“Send it to this address. If you can think of anything or anyone who might have had access to your information call anytime.” I smiled. “I’ll get to work on this tomorrow.”

She thanked me, slid her phone back into her pocket, and went back to work.