Adventures of a Bail Bondsman (Part 1) by Valerie Murray

Where on earth do I start? I suppose telling you a little about myself might be a good place. My name is Valerie Murray. I live in the small town of Fairborn just outside of Dayton, Ohio. We have a population of 30,000 give or take a scoundrel or two. It’s pretty typical. We’re near an Air Force Base with a big showing for the Fourth of July parade, football games and church on Sunday. There are quite a few restaurants, drug stores and used car lots. But, there is only one of my businesses. You see I am a Bail bondsman and this is my diary. Well, sort of….The stories I’m about to share with you are true. The names have been changed to protect the guilty. Those who I have bonded out come from all walks of life. Some you will love some you’ll hate and some you’ll not understand how anyone can be so damn dumb.

My first recovery came about when Bobby, a 32 year old construction worker that I had bailed out of the Montgomery County jail, didn’t show up for his court date. His crime had been an OVI (Operating a vehicle while impaired). I never did understand why he didn’t go to court. He was only facing a license suspension and fines. Never the less he didn’t show and I was looking at losing $5,000.00. to Kettering Court. I had 30 days to bring him in. I started with his girlfriend who had co-signed for him and paid the initial premium for his bond. Premium is a fancy word the Department of Insurance uses for our fee. You see we charge 10% of whatever the bond is. That is how we make our living, put food on the table, keep the lights on,etc. Most people who we bail out don’t seem to understand that. As soon as their case is over they’re on the phone wondering when they will get their money back! Anyway, when I contacted Bobby’s, babies mamma, she said she hadn’t seen his cheatin’ ass and never wanted to again. She asked that I not call her at work anymore. I honored her wishes for about 30 seconds. I called back and reminded her that there would be an additional $500.00 fee for my recovery team if he did not turn up soon. Otherwise, she would be held responsible for the whole $5,000.00. I could hear the wheels turning through the phone. I couldn’t believe it but she said she’d put a check in the mail and for us to go and get him. You have to understand , in this business most of the people we deal with are criminals. Criminals are liars. Criminals aren’t always cheats, thieves or thugs but they are all liars. After the surprising check cleared, Charlie T, my fiance and I talked about it at length and decided to go ahead and pick him up. He had no violent history such as a CCW (carrying a concealed weapon) or assault. Two years prior he had a domestic violence. But, I have found most men with that charge are spineless anyway. I felt confident that Charlie T and I could handle it alone. Now you have to understand I use the word “alone” very loosely. Your first reaction to him is that he is definitely one you don’t want to mess with. At 6ft. 185 pounds, a weathered experience face and those “I can see straight thru you eyes”, he can be quite imposing. The streaks of silver in his hair and beard is all that gives away his 56 years.

We decided to stake out the construction company where he last worked. When we called, they said he had been fired and they hadn’t seen him in weeks. Since he had worked for them for over 10 years, we felt they were lying. We got up the next morning at 4am for the hour long drive. The main office was located off of a state rte. with no lights or street signs. To top it off, it was 40 degrees and raining. Charlie and I are normally pretty pleasant in the morning. In fact I make my kids sick I’m so happy. But, not “that” early. We were both kind of quiet. Driving my V-8 club cab Dakota with no heat, not being able to see , drinking cold coffee and just plain being lost didn’t help matters. Charlie was ragging on me for not map questing the site. I in turn reminded him that he said he knew where it was. That’s when the “shut-ups” started. You shut up!! No, you shut up!! Back and forth we went …. We made the Bickersons look like the Brady Bunch. The thing is the Bickersons were a lot more imaginative. I was pathetic. I can fight much better than that! It was just too damn early. I guess we both realized how ridiculous we sounded at about the same time. We both burst out laughing so hard that I had tears in my eyes, had to pee and had to pull over. It was a good thing. No, it was a “very” good thing… After we composed ourselves we looked up and there was the street we were looking for……To be continued…..

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