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The following program contains names, places, and events that have been anonymized or fictionalized for the purposes of protection and safety. The following program is provided for entertainment purposes only, and any commentary from the hosts are strictly conjecture and should not be held as making any definitive statements about the truth or identity of any particular individuals or circumstances. If you or a loved one are involved in an abusive relationship, please call the National Domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-7-7-7233 for support.
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Happy dating Detectives Monday Happy dating Detectives Monday. Hope everybody Such cheese balls.
A
I know, but I love that everybody's like, no, it's a holiday. We're Everybody's on board.
B
And now when everybody messages us, they're like, hey, happy dating Detectives Monday. And I'm like, if we started something here, I love it.
A
I love it. It is all. I mean, for those of us in the US I hope you had a good Thanksgiving.
B
Yeah. Happy Thanksgiving. I'm. We're so thankful for all of you.
A
We really are. It's very genuine. It's like, yeah, everybody's the best.
B
We are just so, so thankful for all of you, for your support, for your messages, for your support of our guests, for just all of your kindness and the community you've created and the positivity and just everything you guys have created has been incredible. We are so, so thankful for. So just all the encouragement. Oh, man, you guys are amazing.
A
We thought we'd give something back to you because of how amazing you are. We thought we'd bring back one of your favorite past guests.
C
So guess who's back?
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Guess who's back. It's Ken. It's Ken. Barbie and Ken. Barbie and Ken.
A
Barbie and Ken. Ken the PI Yeah.
C
We like Ken a lot, so we love Ken. And this is a fun one because we don't just get one story. We end up getting three. So how it's going to work. We know you like the story. Stories first. So Ken comes on and tells a PI Undercover story, and then we ask questions afterwards. And through those questions, he ended up telling us two more hilarious stories. So if you only like the stories and don't like the questions, still stick with the questions because it's fun. And he's one of those people similar to Mackenzie, you ask a question, and they tell you the craziest story ever, and they're like, what? That's not that crazy. And you're like, are you. What is going on in your brain anyway? So that's how it's gonna go. Yeah.
B
This is his second time on the show, and he's. You can find his socials and his information in the show notes, but he's. I kind of. I really like this guy. He's kind of cool and easy to. Easy to chat.
A
So funny.
C
Well, I love that.
A
You guys are like PIs with very different approaches.
C
For good reason.
A
Like, you're very different.
B
Yeah.
A
And we. We talk about that a lot. And this is another silly story, a PI story of Ken in the field.
B
And.
A
And yeah, it's. It's a fun one. I mean, we don't have to intro too much Ken Childs, if you want to hire him. I mean, he's a licensed PI in Los Angeles, but he came into the studio with us, too. We were in person together, which we don't always do. So, you know, we were getting used to being in the studio and we're getting better at it. But, yeah, Ken is.
B
It was with us. I really love when I go to la, but also, can we talk about how many people message us and we're like, oh, my God, Ken is so, so cute.
A
Yeah. So if you're not on our Instagram or Tick Tock, which is Dating Detectives podcast, or Facebook, where we post some videos, what are you doing?
B
Ken is a very handsome fella. Like, he's, you know, he's. He's easy to look at.
A
Good job, Ken.
B
Good job, Ken.
A
Shall we hand it over to him?
B
Let's do.
C
We're here in person.
B
Yay. I'm so glad to see you, like, face to face. I love being here in la.
C
This is so funny. I know you've come to our neck of the woods because we have an LA local PI returning Ken Childs.
B
Can we just know how weird it is to hear you in my face and not, like, in my ears?
C
Say that again.
B
In my. Like, in front of my face. And not, like, only in my headphones.
C
Right.
B
Because I live in Florida, and so I don't get this opportunity, so this is lovely.
D
In your face.
C
We're in your face. We really are.
B
Ken, please take us on a journey. We would love to hear your story.
D
So we were talking about past cases and some fun ones, and the one that stood out to me most was recently we had a situation where somebody was caught.
C
Don't spoil it right away.
D
What?
C
Yeah, yeah. Start from the very beginning before you know anything.
D
Oh, then God damn it.
C
Okay, don't worry. We edit. Take 2.
D
76.
C
So when was this? How recent?
D
So a couple months ago, I get a call.
B
Oh, this is recent.
C
This is fun.
D
Yeah. And this young lady was telling me her husband's got these strange hours. She thinks something's going on. She's not truly certain of what he's up to, but she's sure it's an affair.
B
It has to be like strange hours. Like he's working, but then he's coming home late or something like that.
C
Unaccounted hours, six hours.
D
Oh, oh, okay.
B
Hours unaccounted for. Okay.
D
So he's self employed and he goes off to work. And then there are these just rando days where he doesn't show up back home until like 2am so naturally, of course, one would think, right? Something's up. Yeah. But this gal, so she seemed like she had it all together, right? Late 30s, early 40s. They've been together a while. Off the top of my head, I kind of remember, vaguely remember, maybe like a 10 year marriage. They own a home together, suburbs just outside of la. Like everything's like cute, picture perfect, like, great. But then there's those gaps of times, like, what's going on?
B
How often are these gaps in time? Like every day or like just. No, but often enough to make her be like, what the heck is going on?
D
Often enough where I was like, what's happening? Right? And so we dialed it into Thursday Fridays, right? So with that knowledge, we decided we'll do some surveillance at his office. Let's see what he's up to, right? So we decided full days, let's see what's happening. Let's see if he's, if he's at work, if he's fulfilling his like, work days. So we do the surveillance. And I remember day one being lackluster in a way that like, he was doing what he said he was doing, right? So they were always in communication. So I would get a text from the client, like, oh, he's gonna go to the luncheon. And like off he goes to the luncheon. Like, okay, great. And it's like, all right, well, let's stick around, see what's happening after work. And then he went home. Like, you know, you know, he went home, the wife slipped out and had to do something. And then suddenly a gal shows up to the house.
B
Wait, on the Friday night?
D
Yeah, on the Friday night he leaves.
B
And a girl shows up.
D
She left. The wife left.
B
Oh, okay, okay, sorry.
D
He gets home, wife leaves, and then a girl shows up.
C
Okay, so one plus one, I would assume too.
D
I don't know, I thought you're not supposed to assume. See, I thought that too. Right. I automatically was like, girl team.
B
Bam.
D
So he done.
B
So she leaves, and he's got a girl coming over. That's where we're at right now.
D
Right. But girl slips out, like, so quickly. Obviously nothing happened. So we were like, okay, that's super rando. Like, why is he lying about that or hiding that? He's very open about everything else. So, okay, we stick it out till, like, midnight. Wife's back. Nothing. Obviously, like, nothing's going on.
C
Was the girl younger or, like, seemed.
D
It was pitch black, so it was very hard to tell. Okay, yeah, that makes sense. I didn't stop her to ask her.
C
You were like, excuse me, can I see your id?
D
Yeah. Hey, ma', am, since you're here. While you're here. So we're kind of like, not here or there. Right. We're really unsure of what's going on. So he was normally pretty truthful, but then he lied about this woman showing up to the house. Okay, let's see how day two unfolds.
B
So he mentions nothing about the girl showing up, and how many minutes approximately was she there?
D
Gosh, like 10 to 15.
B
Okay, so shortly.
C
Oh, you could have an apprentice.
B
You could have an appointment. Wow.
D
Is that an affair or is that an accident? What is that?
C
It's embarrassing for him, but, you know, it's fine.
D
Well, who knows?
B
But we don't assume. We don't know who.
A
We don't know.
B
It could be a sister. We don't know.
D
Right.
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D
So then day two, we're going to start the surveillance at the later end of the day. We're going to milk it into the evening. Let's see how things go. So we get him at the office. Everything's looking like typical. No problem. He's doing his work thing.
B
Went on Saturday. Yeah, okay.
D
So he's doing his work thing. He then from work, he then called the wife and said, hey, I gotta stay late, you know, some big things going on and I gotta put in a couple extra hours. I'm gonna be home, don't wait up for me kind of thing. So at that point we're like, okay, this is, this is feeling pretty good, like it's gonna be on. He leaves work and I mean we're like often driving. Like we're driving for 35, 45 minutes. It's now like, you know, nine o', clock, it's pitch black following this guy and all of a sudden he goes to Orange county, significantly far away from his home.
C
Yeah.
D
And he pulls into like the triple X X rated toy store. So I'm just like, oh my goodness. Like oh, wow. Right.
C
And you're taking pictures and.
D
Yeah, so I'm videotaping everything. Right. I get the arrival. I set up for my like, I don't know what he's gonna be up to at this point. So I'm parking, I'm waiting for things to unfold.
C
I was gonna ask. So you parked and waited outside. You did not go into the store yourself, right?
B
So as far as we know, this is just a man who's left work, drives far away to a XXX toy store, adult store, whatever.
D
Right. And then you.
B
Okay, so you pull into the parking lot. You choose not to go in.
D
Right.
B
Why did you not go in? Like, how do you. I know we talked about this before. I would have gone in because I'm. I need to know. I'm too nosy not to go in.
A
Right.
D
But I. Okay, so I feel you on that. But. So the reason why I didn't go in is because it was happening quick. And then I don't know if he's just popping in for some, like, condoms and he's gonna bounce or you know, So I don't. I don't know.
B
You have to make that split decision.
D
Right, right. So in the field, I'm like, park it. Let's capture what we can and let things unfold. So now here's the storefront. It's bright lights, everything, triple X, boom. And then you have the parking lot, which is pitch black. So I'm watching, watching, watching. And I don't know how much time goes by, but it felt like an eternity. Because you're on a surveillance, right. Like, I can't tell if it's three minutes or if it's 25 minutes. And eventually this person just comes out from behind the car, like out of the dark. And I noticed the person's bending over, looking into the passenger side window, putting on what I thought was like lipstick or checking their lipstick. And I thought they were basically approaching our subject for a date.
C
Oh, okay.
D
Right. And so, like, I'm watching this unfolding and I'm filming it just. Cause it's activity. I don't know what's happening yet. And so I'm filming it, filming it. And then they kind of like disappear back off into the darkness. So I'm like, oh my gosh. Like, I'm not even sure what I just witnessed. At this point in time.
C
You can't see it. Like, you don't know if they got in the car.
B
You just see a person checking their makeup or something similar or talking to them.
D
Right.
B
Or they're moving the way someone would move if they were checking their makeup in a window.
D
Right. I thought it was like a lady asking if somebody wanted a date. Right. That's what it looked like to me.
B
Hey, big boy, do you want a date?
D
How you doing?
A
How you do it?
D
How you do it? So then maybe, I don't know, a couple more minutes go by. 10, 1520 more minutes and then the person just comes back out of the darkness, goes back to the window, checks their makeup and I'm kind of like, like I'm confused at this point. Like, damn, I don't know what's happening yet.
B
What are they doing by this person's car? Right?
C
Oh, wait, and you're subject in the.
D
Store, you think, no, I don't know where my subject is because like I was trying to park the car. I. I'm filming, filming, filming. I'm waiting to capture them going into the store or see what's going on. So like, I believe my person's still in the car, right?
B
But then you're not sure because when someone sits in the car for that long, it's like, wait, did I miss them going in?
D
You start second guessing yourself, you know, and so then I'm sitting there second guessing myself and I see this, you know, gal in high heels and legs and skirt and banging and I'm just like, wow, I don't, I don't really know what's going on with this location yet. So a couple more minutes go by and the person was just out of the shadows enough where he adjusted his skirt and his junk fell out of.
B
His skirt all willy nilly.
D
Willy nilly. Yeah. So now I'm like, oh my goodness. Like I kind of think I know what's going on here at this point, right? And so that's when I text the client like, hey, I'm struggling here. Is this your husband? She responded back with, and keep in mind, this person's in dark. The photo's not the best. There's a wig on a breastplate. So like big boobs, a little mini skirt up to hoo ha, and high heels.
C
You can see everything below the waist.
D
And now you can see everything below the waist.
B
She would know that dangling if it whacked her in the face.
D
And she knew the ding a ling. She was like, that's my ding a ling.
B
That's him. That's him.
C
That's my ding a ling.
D
That's my guy. That's my. Atta boy.
B
That's out of control. That's out of control.
D
Yeah. So I'm filming, I'm a little confused, but I'm not going to miss anything. At this point right now, everything's getting filmed like it's on.
B
So from what I understand, he goes into this adult store, you're sitting in a parking lot waiting for him to come out. And then someone exits from the adult store. They're checking themselves out in the window. So they changed in the store. So they changed in the store.
D
So I think what happened was when I was setting up, like flipping my U turns and trying to find parking within that, like little 90 second gap, I think that he was out of the car, probably at his trunk changing because it was pitch black. Like, I couldn't see anything.
B
Oh, so maybe he didn't go into the store yet?
D
No.
B
Okay. That's very common when you arrive somewhere and you're trying to find a position to set up where you can best get video.
D
Because it's all juggling, it's going down fast, right.
B
And meanwhile, this person's moving around and you're just trying to find somewhere where you can sit up and stop your car to videotape.
D
Right? You have like one eye on the person. One eye trying to scan and find traffic. It's a traffic, cars, the whole thing. And so then what happened was he like, emerged from the darkness, right? This like super spooky. High heels. High heels.
B
See, sometimes if they go in somewhere, you're like, did they go in. Are they standing in the car? The windows are dark. You don't know it's dark outside. I get it. I feel like I've been there in so many scenarios.
D
Yeah. Boo.
B
What did the wife do? Was she. Were you keeping her updated, real time.
D
At that point in time? No, I try not to keep people like real time because they. They lose it. They blow it up.
C
I was gonna ask you, so what happen you. Obviously she was able to identify her.
B
Husband by his willy nilly.
C
What was her reaction?
D
She wasn't like, f him and die. I'll be right there. That was the only reason why I was updating her because, like, typically. Yeah, typically we don't. You know, I just needed to confirm if that was. If that was him or not because.
B
It was like, stand by, let me show you his wing wang and you can determine.
D
It got complicated.
B
Yeah.
D
Yeah. And so, because, I mean, I'm just looking at a person that's in the dark, half in focus, you know, wig, chest, heels.
B
Also, you guys need to remember that, like. And I think it's the same here. Dark tinted windows, Right. Most of the time, PIs, like in Florida. I have double limo tent. It's dark as crap. Imagine having that at nighttime. You still can't see anything. You have to roll down the windows.
D
You have to roll down the window.
B
So you gotta remember the circumstances in the dark are really difficult. So I can't imagine how hard that was. No pun. Intended, I was gonna say.
D
Well, that was the only way I was able to figure out that that that was our subject.
C
That's wild.
A
Could you.
D
Because, like, I thought it was somebody looking for a date for the longest time until the adjustment and the skirt came up.
B
Wow. Wow. Wait, but did she know, like, she didn't know that he was cross dressing.
D
She had no idea.
C
So. Well, I would imagine if he's driving to Orange county to do. I mean, I guess what else happens?
D
So I think he, like, wanted out of the neighborhood to, like, go have his.
B
So he wouldn't be identified.
D
Right. Oh, so one of the. One of the things, like, taking a step back, like, one of the things that kind of she found suspicious was an Amazon purchase of high heels. But she was kind of disappointed, right? Cause she was like, acrylic high heels. She was like, oh, we're gonna play, like, a little fun. And she never got them. So that was one of the clues that, like, something's amiss, right then. Plus the, like, strange work hours.
B
I've had that as. I've had that so many times as a. Why someone hires you. And they're like, the Amazon purchases. It's like, sure.
D
Yeah. So then anyhow, like, there we are. I send her the best picture that I can, and picture this, like, he's got a wig on, he's got a breastplate on, and, like, banging. He's out, right? He's out for business. High skirt legs for days and, like, you know, six inch plus heels on.
C
Thank you. Hopefully this is like an okay question. Is this like drag queen vibes or just dressing like, wait, what's the difference? No, I feel like a drag queen is an elevated expression of, like, you know, that's where the wig is, like.
B
Close to drag queen is like. Okay, I know you're very dramatic. You know what I mean?
A
It's like you're.
C
You're playing gender versus just, like, dressing like the other.
B
And cross dressing is just dressing like a woman when you're a man. Like, is that.
C
Yeah, I think I would love to.
B
Hear our audience way. Well, I wonder.
C
I mean, we don't. I'm sure we'll. I don't know what we'll hear because you guys don't always get all the answers, but I'm like, is this person closeted trans? Which is sad, but also lying here. So spouse. But also, why are we at a sex store? I have a lot of questions. I have a lot of questions. I'm sure she does too.
D
So I think he I don't know. Like, looking back, like, I think that that was probably a part of him that was maybe missing. And he was looking for that, like, Right. He wanted to scratch that itch, I guess.
B
So what. Where did he go after you showed his wife? Went to the wife and all. Willy nilly.
D
Went to another XXX spot.
B
Why?
C
Like, just another one.
D
So then from there, I think. I think he was looking for a date.
B
What makes you think he was looking for a date? Like he just said. What did he do when he went there? Sat in a parking lot.
D
So he just, like. Yeah, he, like, hung out in the parking lot. Kept checking his meeting spots, kept checking his lipstick. So then I think there was a little funky little telltale sign. So when he would drive to the next triple X spot, oddly enough, he had his, like, hazards on. So he would, like, drive with his hazards on and pulled in.
B
Oh, it's like a code.
D
Yeah. I was like, is that a little code?
B
Is like putting the scrunchie on the door at a frat party?
D
Like, how you doing?
B
You put that red scrunchie, boy, don't come in here.
D
Yeah. So we ended up at another location that was XXX Toys movies. Yeah. Actually at the end of the evening. Yeah. So we ended up at three different.
B
Locations, but he never goes into any of them.
D
Never went in.
B
Never. But did anybody approach his car? Did he approach anybody else's car? Did the cops come?
D
No. Like, looking back, it was strange because there wasn't, like, a lot of traffic. So I think he was looking for a good time and just wasn't getting any luck. That's why he went to three different locations. And so then, you know, like, driving in with the little hazards on, I thought he was, like, trying to throw out the signal. Like, looking back right during, like, as things are unfolding, I'm like, fuck, this is peculiar.
C
Yeah.
D
Sadly, I think he was looking for a good time, just didn't find a good time.
B
So he's like, so is he.
C
I don't know why that was so funny, the way you said it. He was looking for a good time, but he just didn't find a good time.
D
I mean, just look at all the effort he put into this YouTube.
C
I know, I do feel bad, right?
B
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D
So now it's going on maybe 2:33am and we're at the third location for the evening, right? Little Triple X store, toys, movies, the whole thing. And he stayed out in the parking lot each and every time, Right. He would approach a car. I think at one point someone kind of pulled up to him and there was like a little brief interaction at best. But anyhow, so now it's like 3am and we're driving from Orange county and now the hazard lights are off. We're just driving in the direction of home. So at this point, typically since I have the confirmation from the wife that that's him and I have his activities on videotape, I didn't care to follow him all the way to his doorstep. Right. Like there comes a certain point as an investigator, you know the neighborhoods well enough that you're like, if I cross this threshold, then clearly they're going home. I know the wife's there, there's no need to continue.
B
Yeah, that's a judgment that's one of those judgment calls you make.
D
Yeah. But then if all of a sudden you're like, kind of headed halfway there and then they veer a left and you're like, oh, hey, I know this city's kind of popping down here, then I think you stay with it.
B
And if you. Yeah, and if you. It's one of those things where if, you know, there's a chance they could be doing more things and you kind of like. But there's a vibe that you get too, usually.
C
And you're like, he's.
B
And you don't want. Especially if you think there's going home. If there's potential that you could do more surveillance, then you don't want to blow your cover by risking. If you know it's the same, why.
D
Push it and get him home?
B
Yeah, he's probably going to go home. So then you just hang back and avoid any chance of getting caught. Right. Like, that's pretty common too, I think.
D
Right.
B
Wait, how many total nights did you do surveillance?
D
So I believe it ended on that. Like, obviously, we got enough.
B
Oh, so you just had the two days of surveillance.
D
Yeah. So she at that point was like, okay, obviously this is going on.
B
Oh, so this is one whole night we're talking about.
D
Right.
B
Okay.
C
All in Orange county, too.
D
Yeah. It was like, away from his house. Yeah.
C
I guess that's where you go to find love. Orange County.
B
I need you folks in Orange county to weigh in because I have so many questions. I have questions that needs some answers.
C
Looking at those parking lots a little differently.
D
Yeah. Now we need drive by. You're not just like, I would love to hear.
B
So not only is this guy lying to his wife about where he is and what he's doing, but he's possibly looking for others to maybe hook up with or maybe just they want to play Uno. I don't know. Like, we can't assume, but I mean, don't take a rocket surgeon. But also, he's cross dressing. And they've been together 10 years, and this is the first. Like, she's suspicious of it. Like, is this. This is new to her, right?
C
Like, what was her reaction to that? Like, did she show? Did she seem like. Oh, yeah, that makes sense.
D
Yeah.
C
What was the call like with her?
D
She. She came from this place of care, Right. Where I've talked to so many clients, and you get the ones. Yeah. You get those that are just gonna, like, blow someone's life up, like me, you. And then you get the others that kind of like, are A little smarter than that are just gonna, like, kind of suss it out. They don't know exactly what they want to do with it yet. But she came from a different point where obviously she cared, right? Like, this is her husband of 10 years. I think she was coming at it from a perspective of, like, wow, she felt bad that these were her needs and that either, like, maybe she couldn't fulfill him or maybe in question of, like, how could she help fulfill him.
C
Or just in these needs, he couldn't be open with her or anyone, maybe.
D
I don't know.
C
Right.
D
That's an excellent question. So the strange takeaway was, like, it added up to her. So clearly there were some other things going on that she probably didn't tell me about. So it added up. It made sense to her. But there was, I don't know, like a kind of a cool calming of her where she, I could tell, truly cared. It wasn't like, f him and die. I can't believe this. And da, da, da, da. Like, you would have thought, like, kind of like I was being prepared for, right? Like, I was, like, preparing for her to just go, like, full lunatic on me. And it was like she came from a place of care and was like, okay, wow, clearly we gotta have some discussion and his needs aren't being met. Kind of like that makes me happy coming from her. Right? But my point was, like, I felt that, like, she just genuinely cared and wanted that with him. I promise you, if I called her up, they'd be together today.
A
Aw.
D
Yeah.
C
I love when people end up together. I hope his wife had that conversation and that they felt comfortable sharing that with his wife and that they were able to find a way to meet each other's needs.
D
I hope so.
B
It's a hard conversation, but I love you, Hannah.
C
Maybe this will lead people to share more about.
B
She just wants everybody to kiss.
C
I just want everyone to kiss and wear whatever they want to wear and love each other.
D
See, in my mind, I think in my mind, I was the same way. I was like, this wrapped up beautifully right now he's able to share his story and his wants and needs with his wife. And I'm pretty sure she's not going to find another man that's going to measure up to that. So why would she leave him?
B
That's legit.
C
I hope she called and was like, hey, while you're down in Orange county.
D
Since you're out there, could you pick up a couple things?
C
Expensive vibrators that you owe me after what you've been sneaking off to do. I do hope that he was safe, though, because he was cheating. And that is. We don't condone that. We do. I could separate that dogfish. No, but communication and openness. And you helped make that happen.
D
I did.
B
Do you agree that when they call you, usually they already know something? Something like there is. Sometimes it's not. I feel like when they say, oh, I just have a gut feeling. I feel like most the time. And tell me if you think this, too. Most the time, they. It's stronger than a gut feeling. It's something they. It's like a gut feeling times, like a zillion.
D
And they're like, so when a guy calls me, it's a gut feeling. When a woman calls me, it's so confident. They just don't have the damn video.
B
Yes, that's exactly true. That is exactly.
C
That's funny that you even say she had more. More signs that she didn't even share with you. Because we don't necessarily want to believe any these things. I feel like denial is a big part of a lot of relationships.
B
Yeah, but it makes sense. Have you heard anything from them since.
C
I know I need to.
D
No. Sadly, now that we're talking, I feel like I should follow up.
B
Well, I was going to ask if you. I never follow up. I feel like it's unprofessional.
C
Well, yeah. So you go home from this night. I want to send the files and wipe your hands of it. Like, there's no postcard on call.
B
Because we don't get paid to. When there's no closure. Like, when we turn in our case, that's it. We're done being paid.
A
Right.
B
And so it took me years. I don't know how long it took you, Ken, but for. It took me years to realize, Mackenzie, you are not getting paid to worry about what happened after. Even though I was losing sleep and I'm such an overthinker, I'm like, I wonder what happened. Gosh, like, years later, I still think, I wonder what happened. But you don't get paid for that time. And it's not your problem. It's not my circus, not my monkeys. And it's time to move on and put your energy into things, because that's your job. You're not getting paid for it. It's not like you can still care. But if you care about everyone and then you can't focus on your current job, and then it becomes a hindrance.
D
No, the problem is, like, perception.
B
Right?
D
Like, everybody thinks, like, oh, you know, the characters that are playing us on tv, they're making thousands of dollars. Like, if you think about these cases on tv, it's like, get out of here. You know, like, it's so unreal. And, like, what they get paid and what we get paid is nominal compared to the grand scheme of things. So, like, yeah, you. You think that hourly rate is high, but just think what's at stake, what we were able to get for you, and then what you're able to do with that. Right. Whether it's like, an insurance fraud case, a cheating spouse case, some divorce cases hinge on what we find. Right.
C
So.
D
So then when it comes to following up, this isn't tv. We're not billing out at, like, such a rate that we can afford to just sit back and follow up with these cute little, like, oh, gee, how did all that. Yeah, yeah. Oh, about that night, that last Saturday. How's everything?
C
You're not therapist.
D
No, no.
C
You're. No, just we.
B
Nosy as hell. I feel like I want to be. I want to know all the details, but, yeah, you can't sometimes.
D
So the takeaway is we are professionals. We are providing a service. And, like, yeah, maybe we don't. I don't follow up. I do have clients that follow up with me occasionally, and that's.
B
Yeah.
C
Have either of you been recognized on surveillance?
D
In what way?
C
Like, who's. Like, hey, Ken, what's up?
B
Like, like, oh, I saw you on the podcast, or I saw you on social media or whatever. Could be.
C
Why you. Obviously people ask you that all the time. I'm just curious if you've ever had someone that you're like, stop it.
D
Oh, no, not in that. Well, actually, yeah, in that way. So I was recognized right after the Dr. Phil show. I was in some, like, cool bar, Santa Monica, like, all wood and beautiful and dark and cocktails. And I'm following this cheater, and then I'm sitting next to these elderly ladies, and it got, like, really chippy.
B
And Bertha's for sure.
C
That's like, Bertha's like, the lady who knows everything about it.
B
She's the neighborhood, know it all.
D
Yeah, it got, like, really chippy and cute, and I'm, like, looking over. They're looking at me all, like, you know, fluttery, and I'm like, oh, my God. Oh, shit. Right? And so. But I'm also like, you're about to blow up my spot.
C
Yeah, yeah.
D
Cause my guy is, like, three seats behind me.
C
Oh, my gosh.
D
So I'm like, at this bar Filming dude, getting flirty. And then I got the, like, two old bitties in between. And then she finally was like, oh, honey. And, like, you know, your little hand on my arm. And then we ended up chatting. She recognized me from the doctor.
C
Was she. Chill about it? Was she. Like, I don't want to blow any.
A
Covers, but I kind of, like, met.
D
Her in the middle because I was worried about her blowing me up because there was, like, way too much.
B
You want to go away from the subject and, like, clear everything up. Away from the subject.
C
There's no chance. Or you could, like, pretend that you're giving them a job. Like, be quiet and listen over there. Like, then they're like, oh, okay, now we're important.
D
No, but. Yeah, but at the same time, right when we, like, kind of met in the middle and I talked to them, they felt like they were in on it.
B
Yeah.
D
So it was, like, great. So they kept it cool, and they were all giggly. And then I got. I love that I was able to. Oh, yeah. It was a lot of fun.
B
I would always. That's happened to me a couple of times. People have. No one has recognized me from social media, but several people that I know personally have been like, Cause you work in your hometown. Like, yeah, they just. I work in my hometown, in the area for 20 years. Like, in the same area. And people would recognize me, and I'd be like, hey, I'm following that. Point to the wrong guy or point to the wrong direction, whatever. Smart. And so I would just point to and be like, hey, you know, go there and next to that guy and, like, keep them busy for a while. They're with the wrong freaking dude.
C
Wait, that's hilarious. You're like, I need you to help me out.
B
Yeah, I need you to help me out. Just go stand next to that guy and order 17 beers and drink them all very slowly. That'd be great. And, like. And just, like, keep them busy.
C
They're over there, like, giving you signs, like, yeah.
B
And I'm like, yeah, okay.
C
Making up signals.
B
Next thing you know, I'm in the car on mobile surveillance following somebody. They're like, do I just stand here, bro? You? Yeah, just.
C
Well, now I know if I run into either of you and you're like, go follow that guy. They're like, get Hannah out of here. I'll take the. I'll take the hint.
B
Except the one time I was following somebody inside of a store, I think it was like, T.J. maxx or something. And I was following her around and I was using my phone as my covert video and the flash was on because I'm a dumb shit.
C
You're kidding me. That's such a rookie mistake.
B
And she's following me around the store and I'm trying to follow her. And so we're like making these circles and I'm like trying to get away from her, and she's trying to come in. Then finally I was just like, here we go. I just let her. I was like, she's just gonna have to eat me alive. And she comes over, she goes, your flashes on, honey, I don't want your battery to go dead. I don't want your battery to die. Your flash. I was like, blessed, sweetie, blessed redeemer.
C
Lord, I'm hoping find her doing anything illegal or bad.
B
I actually, I have another story to tell about that. So that actually on that same case, not only did I have my flash.
C
On, she was cross dressing too.
B
The video I got was on my iPhone. I had done it in like the time lapse. So it's like two times speed.
D
You were sitting first.
B
No, that's what I'm saying. I'm such a dumb. And so. And so I'm following around. My flash was on first. And then I. I'm like, okay, cool. I guess. And then she didn't notice, like, it was fine. And then I get back in the car and all the video is on two times speed. And when you put it on that time lapse, whatever, and the video and you try to slow it down, then it's choppy like this. And you can't use that in court. It's. It's not used. And so I had to do like, oh, man, I had to do so much more surveillance. Just like make up for it. It was wild.
C
That's okay. Everybody makes mistakes. And I would have done it 10 times worse. I don't know how you guys do it. It's so impressive that you, like, keep your.
B
I will say and tell me if you agree. Ken, you have to have a little bit of an ego to do this job because you. At first it's hard, but you have.
C
To trust to walk in knowing that.
B
You own the room, that you own the. Like, you have to walk in knowing that you want people to know that you belong there. If you walk in like, oh, God, I gotta get surveillance on this guy. What am I gonna. Like, people notice you right away.
D
So I don't know if it's. I don't know if it's that. Maybe that's my ego talking But I think I kind of, like. I kind of flip flop between, like, who I am. Like, if I go into some scene, then, yeah, I'm like, up and confident. Like, what's. What's happening? Right. But if I go into another place that's a little more subtle, low key, I tend to shrink a little bit. I don't look people directly in the eyes and I kind of like, suss it out for a second.
C
Because you're still confident in the way you're choosing to work.
B
Confident in the way you can blend into your environment.
D
Yeah. So. But they don't know that, Right?
A
Sure.
D
So then I'm kind of like, I don't know, I flop between, like, two different individuals.
B
No, I get that. When we walked in. So I'm in LA recording this podcast in person. And so Ken was like. Ken was like, wow, this is very intimidating. Like, you're a lot. And so that's very. And so everybody knows me that I'm a lot. I'm very loud. But they're like, how do you do surveillance with this personality? And I'm like, no, no, no, no, no. This personality don't go on surveillance. The personality is very, like, it's quiet, your head is down. You're. You're not.
C
You're subtle.
B
Yeah, you're very subtle. And that's. It's just. And then if I need to be loud and obnoxious, I can be. And I am, obviously, that's, you know, lies.
D
I picture her sitting there like nails in the dashboard. Like, was that a squ.
A
What was that?
D
What was that? What was that?
C
I forget that you with a sonic. It's a sonic cup in your hand.
D
Makeup in the other, makeup in the other.
C
And video camera, like, in your mouth. Like you've got everything going on.
D
Camcorder on the knee, filming the eyeliner.
B
Eating a salad, putting on liquid eyeliner.
A
It's fine. Guys. I am obsessed with the sous vide kitchen robot.
B
The.
A
It's not very big, but it. It's like a. It's a device. I mean, it's got so many different settings. I'll tell you about it in a second. All I wanted to tell you is I'm moving. And I made sure that I could fit it in my car so I could bring it with me because I wanted to. I was like, is this ridiculous that I have to bring this big kitchen robot? And I was like, no, I will. I will make it work. And I did. It is everything you need. And it makes cooking so easy. It takes away so much time with the planning and prepping and exhausting cleanup. It's a smart countertop oven and it has over 15 cook modes. So air fryer, slow cooker, pretty much whatever you need. And it also has a meal delivery service if you wanted to use that, where they send you the ingredients that you need. So easy. And it has a little card. You can scan it and sue knows exactly what to do. And you don't have to really do anything. You just have to stick it in the sous vide. My favorite part is that there is built in refrigeration. So you can set up the ingredients whenever you want and tell Suvi when you want them to be ready. And it will keep them refrigerated until it needs to start cooking. It could be two different settings on the top and the bottom. And it's just amazing. And for somebody who doesn't like cooking and is really bad at timing, specifically, like if I have to cook and I need everything to be hot at the same time. Oh, that is a. I'm not good at it, but now I am because I use Suvi. I use it a lot for just roasting vegetables just to have around. But I also have had some of their meals. I did like a paella, shrimp paella. That was so good. I did. I mean, I've talked about it before, but their desserts were great. The chocolate lava cakes, I mean, those were truly the best. And now I just don't have to spend hours in the kitchen and a fortune on takeout and delivery because Suvi's the simple solution that takes all the stress out of planning dinner. Suvie also offers a 100 day risk free trial, so give it a try. Go to suvie.com datingdetectives to get $150 off. Plus check out Suvi's Black Friday sale for extra savings while it lasts. Go to suvi.com datingdetectives to get $150 off +16 free meals when you order during their sale. That's s u v-ie.com datingdetectives to get 150 off plus 16 free meals. Save time, eat better with Suvie.
C
Have you made any similar rookie mistakes on a case?
B
I won't judge you like keeping your flashlight on or recording in 100 million times Zoom speed.
D
Okay, kind of. Kind of. Right? So this was like in the very beginning of my career. Compton.
B
He's not admitting to anything. He's got a very big ego. I'm just saying.
C
He'S A kind dog.
D
So, no. Okay, so it was. Was.
B
This doesn't count. It was in the beginning, you guys.
D
So it's half my fault. Half my fault. So in the very beginning, back in the day, the spy camera was actually the camcorder, but stuffed in a bag with a little mesh in the front, right back that.
B
I've had that one that's like way back in the day.
C
So knocked. Like a purse type bag.
A
Like a lunch bag.
C
Yeah.
D
So I had to, like, rock like a. Like a fanny pack, right? Because that's so hip, right?
B
So you had to put.
C
You had to keep angling your hip.
D
Why are you hip? Pumping.
B
And the cameras are big as, like a. Think of like a half gallon of milk, right? So the camera's like. They're drinking probably this big, okay. And you gotta put it in a bag and cut a hole so that you're. Yes, I remember. Yep.
D
So here it is. Like, I'm in. I'm in Compton, right? My little self in Compton. So I get there, I don't know, zero dark 30. And I just remember being parked at a little church. There were like melted candles. There was a shooting the night before. Oh, okay, Right. And I'm just like, fuck, let's see how today goes. And then, I don't know, maybe like 7:30am it's light. And this house that I'm watching, trying to find my subject, this woman comes out in like a daishiki, and she's.
B
Like, oh, what's a daishiki?
D
A daishiki. It's a large dress that's very colorful and typically has a head wrap with it.
B
Oh, okay, got it.
D
And she's on the cordless phone, and I'm just like, what the fuck? Like, I just found it very peculiar, you know, like, hey, who's she calling at that time? And, like, why is she out in the front yard looking up and down the street? So then maybe like four houses between the two of us, here comes another gal on the cordless phone, and they're, like, talking to each other, and they're clearly talking about the neighborhood, probably me.
C
Oh.
D
So a little time goes by, right? But this is like, I'm the very beginning of all this.
C
Are you standing outside with a man?
D
No, no. You don't get out of the car and call stuff. So not welcome here. So then anyhow, my gal, like, ends up leaving her house and I follow and I end up going to this market, right? This very cultural market, and it's in Compton. Very cultural market where, like, I may not blend in. So I'm on the phone with my boss and I'm like, hey, man, a.
C
White guy in a fanny pack? I'm sorry, now I'm just imagining it even more.
B
No, that has happened so, so many times. You are not the right investigator for the job, right?
D
So then, so then I'm on the phone with my boss and I'm like, hey, look, man, I'm at the store. It's a largely African American community.
B
If I go in here, If I.
D
Go in here, it's done. Like, we're fucked. And like, what do I get? The guy's like, now the guy's, like sitting there coming at me. He's like, what are you, racist? What's wrong with you, man? Like, come on in, pussy, pussy.
C
Wait, this is a client?
D
No, this is my boss. This is my idiot boss. And I'm like, okay, so you want a Richie Cunningham looking motherfucker like myself to go into a predominantly African American market? Yep, you got it, buddy. Here we go. So I get my little camera, I check the lenses, I check the settings, Everything's good to go. And what do I do? Back then, the only thing you could do is set it in the shopping cart, kind of prop it up on some goods. So I put a couple little 12 packs in so my stupid camera can see over the little bars of the cartoon. So you got this like jostling video.
C
Because there's always the wheel.
D
The wheel, exactly. It's like bouncing off the tile. And then it's like, stop. And you get the gal purchasing her meats and all this other stuff. And then she moves out of screen. Then you got the, like, shaking video again, right? Like, here it is. So now I'm like, okay, she's gotta be checking out, like any second now. So kind of post up waiting for her to check out. She gets to the checkout and it was like a carpal tunnel thing, right? So she couldn't. Like, it was a wrist upper extremity carpal tunnel. So she claims she couldn't do all this stuff. So now I'm like, I've got to get it on video. Like, she's about to unload all of her groceries. So I pull in, like, video, right? Pulling up right behind her. So she oddly glances at me and then like walks off to the store manager and I'm like, oh, it's about to go down.
C
Yeah, she knows.
B
Busted.
D
I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure she's going to be talking about me. So then I like a genius. I'm like, oh, no, I forgot the milk. I'll be right back. And I turn the cart, and here's this huge jack security dude right there. And I'm just like, God damn it. Like, what am I gonna do? So I see, dude, we make eyes. I just chuck the cart where I fucking. Goodbye. I gotta go. Like, I got some video. I gotta go. So I come, I grab my bag. I'm, like, bouncing. She's following me, Dudes following me. I'm out in the middle of the parking lot.
C
Are they saying anything?
D
Yeah, they're saying stuff, but I'm not hearing it. Like. Like, you're behind me. I don't give a shit. And so then I look back, and there she is, like, right up against the glass, looking outside the market. Right? Like, holy shit. So, yeah, I kind of think I was discovered.
B
That has happened to me, that exact scenario. You can't tell me that that hasn't happened to you more than once. Like, that has happened to me several times now.
D
I'm so much more. First off, I would have never have went in except for, like, my boss. But when you calling me out?
B
Yeah. When you work for someone who's writing your check and they want you to do that. But that's also what's hard about being a PI Working for other people is they're telling you how they want you to work their case.
D
Right.
B
And you want to honor that. But as the investigator in the field, you can tell with your gut instinct, your femme tuition, you can. You can get a vibe, you can get a feel for it, and you know what the right thing to do is.
C
Yeah.
D
Right. So, like, my femme tuition was telling me, don't go in the store.
B
Yeah.
D
Because you wait for them to come.
B
Out like, a sore thumbs up.
A
Yeah.
D
Not only would I have stood out. So, like, a, the option was blow the case, which is what happened. Or B, sit back, get the video.
B
Be a little bit more patient.
D
Yeah, be patient. Get the video of them, like, unloading the car, closing the car.
B
And then you have the opportunity to go back for more surveillance. That's covert. And you're in the car and you're not being seen.
D
But then, like, I'm also confident enough to say, like, hey, look, you, Honor, common sense dictates if she's unloading groceries, she shopped for them. Like, right. Like, hello.
C
So did you get enough information for the case?
D
I wouldn't. I wouldn't know. Like, once all that went down, we.
B
Don'T get a Lot of clothes.
D
Are you kidding? That security guy and I, we were like, in a brawl in the parking lot.
C
But you didn't, like, turn in the footage at all.
D
Yeah, no, I turned it in.
A
You did, but you didn't.
D
Yeah, I got her shopping. I got her doing.
B
Okay, but with insurance fraud cases, you usually don't get a lot of closure on those. It sucks.
C
But you did get something to turn in other than a video of you facing off with, like, the stomach of a 7 foot tall security guard.
B
How did your boss feel when you were like, I did what you said.
D
And I don't even remember. I just remember they were probably like.
C
Why would you do that?
B
Wrong, moron.
D
Yeah. Yeah.
C
You know, you're like a fan favorite. The Sleuthies loved your episode.
B
Yeah, they really did. Yeah, they really, really did. Thank you so much for sharing that. I love hearing other PI stories, but it was so interesting. Like everything that you said, I was like, yep, yep. That's the same exact thing. The camera with the whole cutout, the.
C
All of it.
B
It's. It's very. It's. It's very common. It's very interesting. Thank you so much.
C
Thank you so much.
D
Well, thank you both for having me.
C
We love having you. You're coming back.
B
Yeah, I know.
C
Especially if you go on any cases that are worth sharing, do let us know.
D
I've got cases for days.
C
Okay, good.
A
I love it.
C
Your Instagram is Paramount.
D
Paramount.
B
PIs.
D
Paramount. PIs.
C
PIs.
A
Okay.
B
That's not piss.
C
Paramount pisses.
D
Paramount piss.
C
Well, that's what it feels. Okay, great. And if anybody wants to follow you, they should. Or hire you, maybe.
D
Yeah. Thank you so much.
C
Thank you.
B
Sam.
Podcast Summary: The Dating Detectives – "Ken Undercover: The Husband in Disguise"
Date: December 1, 2025
Host: Dear Media
Guests: Ken Childs (Licensed Private Investigator, Los Angeles)
This week, professional PI Mackenzie Fultz, comedian Hanna Anderson, and returning guest PI Ken Childs dive into three wild private investigation stories, with a primary focus on Ken’s most recent and bizarre surveillance case: a husband sneaking off in the night, a cross-dressing surprise, and the ethics and pitfalls of undercover work in the dating world. The episode is filled with humor, empathy, and real-life detective missteps, giving listeners an inside look at the world of private investigation and the complexities of relationships, secrets, and trust.
Client Concern:
Surveillance Begins:
Day 2 Escalates: The Reveal
The Search for a "Good Time":
Wife’s Reaction & Reflection:
Discussion on 'Gut Feelings':
Recognition Risks:
Common PI Mistakes:
Adapting Confidence:
The tone is candid, irreverent, and compassionate—balancing hilarious PI mishaps with genuine conversations about trust, identity, and ethics in relationships. The episode offers not only peeks into the undercover world but also reveals the humanity and humor that help investigators (and their clients) get through some of life’s most challenging revelations.
For listeners who missed the episode:
Expect a blend of true-crime suspense, unexpected empathy, and side-splitting storytelling. The PI world is stranger—and more relatable—than you think!