The Case of The Dying Man & the Girl at The Races
That’s the most intriguing investigation one of Brisbane’s top private eyes can remember.
The manager of Queensland Investigation Services, who declined to be named, was once hired by a wealthy young horse racing enthusiast to investigate an attractive woman who never missed a race meeting. The client liked her betting style and wanted to know more about her. The private eye gathered the information and reported back to his client, more than a little curious.He discovered the client had a terminal illness and wanted to leave his money to the mystery woman.
But despite a few interesting cases like that, the world of the private investigator was not easy, he said. There was little of the excitement, danger or glamour of the TV super sleuths In the real life detective’s work. “I consider it to be a damn hard job,” the ex- cop-turned – private – eye said. He’s been in the private investigation business since 1970. Much of the private eye’s work is for insurance companies. He conducts surveillance tor alleged injuries and phony claims, re- cording evidence on film, and often works under- cover for companies to catch employees In the act or pilfering, also he seeks missing persons and acts on the defense for a solicitor on criminal acts such as rape. He considers his biggest achievement was when a beneficiary forged a will of $250,000. The case was settled out of court and the original will reverted to. But he never has his photograph taken or his name used in the media.
“A private investigator should be .private,” he stressed. But he said wages were low and the job could be a disappointment, especially when trying to locate a missing person. “Some people want to lose their identity and you’ll never find them,” he said. But this private investigator doesn’t have fond feelings for his colleagues.
I don’t like the type of people in private investigation. Many are not sincere,” he said. “We’re a fairly jealous lot,” he said. “I wouldn’t refer any work to another agent.” Manager of Pinkertons Investigations Mr Keith Schafferius doesn’t mind some publicity. But he said he would not give television interviews or have his photo taken when he was actively involved as an investigator. His role is now managerial. He has been an investigator for 10 years. Before that he was e. general hand with the RAAF. Mr Schafferius has no police background, is self-taught and doesn’t watch private eye movies. He said his work was not glamorous. but professional. Since the divorce law changed three years ago, Mr Schafferius said private investigators had become more respected.
